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
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.
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 Downtown: DPS, Reynolds & Reynolds
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 Downtown: DPS, Reynolds & Reynolds