Recently I wrote about the lost East Second Street historic district (today the Premier Health Tower). For today's post we'll shift south one block to see how the entire east side of Main and the north side of Third have also been lost to demolition over the years, not at … [Read more...] about Urban Renewal and Lost Buildings at Main and 3rd
Fire Blocks District
The Fire Blocks is a district in downtown Dayton centered on East Third Street from Jefferson to St. Clair. Today it typically includes buildings on those two streets down to Fourth Street as well.
During the Great Flood of 1913, a gas explosion triggered a massive fire aided by the wood frame construction of the mid-19th century buildings spread throughout the area and reduced most of the buildings to rubble.
It was rebuilt in grand fashion by many of Dayton's prominent business leaders, with large new commercial buildings utilizing fireproof construction methods springing up in the next few years.
In more recent years as downtown struggled as a whole, this district became mostly vacant. A $100 million plan to redevelop three of the largest buildings on East Third emerged in 2016 and 2017, but progress stalled and it was eventually taken over by The Windsor Companies.
Since 2020, apartments and numerous first-floor retail have opened, representing a second rebirth for the district, which is one of the most intact parts of downtown Dayton.
To read the articles we have published about the Fire Blocks, use the links below.
The Only Example of Gothic Commercial Architecture in Dayton
The Fire Blocks has been a hot topic in recent years due to the major redevelopment project spearheaded by The Windsor Companies that has brought apartments and a variety of restaurants and retail shops to a formerly sleepy stretch of East Third Street downtown. But one … [Read more...] about The Only Example of Gothic Commercial Architecture in Dayton
The Oldest Commercial Buildings Downtown (Which Survived Flood and Flames)
The Fire Blocks in downtown Dayton has seen a major transformation in recent years spearheaded by The Windsor Companies, as several buildings on Third Street, including the Elks Building, Huffman Block Building, and Dickey Building, have been redeveloped into apartments, and … [Read more...] about The Oldest Commercial Buildings Downtown (Which Survived Flood and Flames)
Lost and Found Buildings on Jefferson Street
In this article we'll take a "Then and Now"-style look at the the east side of Jefferson Street between 4th and 3rd Streets. This view of the corner of 4th and Jefferson looks north. Compared to other parts of downtown which were completely cleared out for urban … [Read more...] about Lost and Found Buildings on Jefferson Street
Price Stores Building Uncovered as Restoration Work Begins
A previous article on Dayton Vistas looked at the tantalizing possibility of "uncovering" two historic buildings that have been obscured under modern claddings for decades. Over the past few days, Columbus-based The Windsor Companies has done just that with the Price … [Read more...] about Price Stores Building Uncovered as Restoration Work Begins
Update: Arcade, Fire Blocks Construction Progress (And When Will They Open?)
There are two major projects underway that aim to transform major sections of downtown Dayton. And these developments are transitioning from ideas to reality as increasing construction activity has started to bring the historic structures back to life. Let's look at a few … [Read more...] about Update: Arcade, Fire Blocks Construction Progress (And When Will They Open?)
Then and Now: 124 East Third Street in the Fire Blocks
This is the first in a series of articles about the Fire Blocks which will cover the area's history as well as the plans to bring the buildings back to productive use. The redevelopment of the Fire Blocks in downtown Dayton is finally starting to ramp up with a new … [Read more...] about Then and Now: 124 East Third Street in the Fire Blocks
The Graphic Arts Building in Downtown Dayton
Some of Dayton's buildings on the National Register of Historic Places are well-known to its residents: the Arcade, the Old Courthouse, and the like. But others are a bit more under the radar. Most people likely don't give much thought to this building sitting alone on … [Read more...] about The Graphic Arts Building in Downtown Dayton
Then and Now: Aerial of Third and Jefferson, Fire Blocks
With the Fire Blocks development undergoing some major changes and hopefully starting real construction soon, let's travel back in time and take a look at the area from a high vantage point. Some buildings will look familiar, but others are long gone. The Beckel Hotel … [Read more...] about Then and Now: Aerial of Third and Jefferson, Fire Blocks
Uncovering Old Buildings in Downtown Dayton
Dayton can't magically bring back any of its old buildings that have been demolished, but it can uncover the few that survive hidden under more modern coverings or cladding systems. One such example that was in the news recently is the Price Stores building (below), a … [Read more...] about Uncovering Old Buildings in Downtown Dayton