I've previously written a history of the Miami and Erie canal in Dayton that included a then and now photo of an 1899 celebration that included two elephants bathing in the canal. In that post I used a visible business and map to determine where that location is … [Read more...] about Canal at 2nd Street Then and Now
Old Dayton Maps
The Todd Art (Sigma) Theater and a Lost Brown Street Business District
The old firehouse currently home to Jimmy's Ladder 11 restaurant on Brown Street is a beautiful but isolated survivor of what was once a thriving neighborhood business district. One of its most significant neighbors was an old theater located at 924 Brown Street. Built … [Read more...] about The Todd Art (Sigma) Theater and a Lost Brown Street Business District
History of the Bowers Building from Bank to Lounge
West Third Street is seeing a surge in new commercial investment in the Wright Dunbar neighborhood near downtown, but there hasn't been as much activity on the blocks west of Broadway. But now at West Third and James H. McGee Boulevard, a husband and wife team is … [Read more...] about History of the Bowers Building from Bank to Lounge
The Steamboat House in St. Anne’s Hill (Rare Photo)
Today's article came about rather serendipitously, as I was researching something unrelated only to come across a striking image of a home for sale in the Dayton Daily News on April 21, 1918. After only a quick glance it was obvious which house it was, as it is one of the … [Read more...] about The Steamboat House in St. Anne’s Hill (Rare Photo)
The Stone Barn at Holt and Easton (Dayton View History)
A Dayton Vistas reader wrote in to ask about the history of a stone barn on the property at 441 Holt Street. It's referred to by some locals as the "old barn" and it was also noted that there was a school on the property in the past. This article will dig into what we could … [Read more...] about The Stone Barn at Holt and Easton (Dayton View History)
The History of the Dayton Motor Car Building at 15 McDonough Street
Update: the renovation was completed in 2020 and machine tool manufacturer Gosiger Industries moved into two of the six floors. The building's other tenant is coworking space Genuine Work which opened in 2021. According to its leasing website, three spaces are still … [Read more...] about The History of the Dayton Motor Car Building at 15 McDonough Street
The Loneliest Historic Home in Dayton?
If you've ever wondered about the loneliest historic home in Dayton, we've found a candidate for your consideration: The house at 2201 East First Street (the NE corner of First and Sachs near Findlay Ave) is a sole survivor in an area that has turned almost exclusively … [Read more...] about The Loneliest Historic Home in Dayton?
The History of 1922 and 1918 Brown Street
A pair of interesting buildings on Brown Street form part of one of the more intact blocks of neighborhood commercial structures in Dayton, and also help tell the story of the surrounding area. 1922 Brown Street is a two story structure built in 1928. It was originally … [Read more...] about The History of 1922 and 1918 Brown Street
History of H. Gerstner & Sons, World-Renowned Tool Chest Maker
When thinking about business in downtown Dayton, you may picture legal and financial services, upstart tech firms, and perhaps all the jobs at the big players in healthcare and education. But there are a wide variety of companies both large and small that have been … [Read more...] about History of H. Gerstner & Sons, World-Renowned Tool Chest Maker
South Park Food Hall to Open in Historic Wayne Ave Site
According to information on social media, a new food hall is coming to the Wayne Avenue corridor in historic South Park. The South Park Food Hall will be located at 735 Wayne Ave and is planning to open in Summer 2021. Businesses will include the Good Hands Bread Co, … [Read more...] about South Park Food Hall to Open in Historic Wayne Ave Site