The title of Dayton's first skyscraper is not universally agreed upon (many give the nod to the 1892 7-story Callahan Building, since demolished) but the Reibold Building is definitely in the conversation. This structure was built in 3 sections, with the first opening in … [Read more...] about History of the Reibold Building (in 3 Phases)
Rike's
How Did the Great Flood Affect Dayton Businesses?
The Great Flood of 1913 was devastating for Dayton, as floodwaters as high as 20 feet engulfed huge areas of the city. The damage to homes, businesses, factories, and infrastructure was over $100 million in 1913 money (roughly $3 billion today). But among the wreckage there … [Read more...] about How Did the Great Flood Affect Dayton Businesses?
Courthouse Square’s Resilience: Challenges and Possibilities for Tomorrow
In my last article, I retraced the history of Dayton's Courthouse Square. Now I'll take us from its opening in 1974 to the present day, as well as reflect on possibilities for the future. The Square: From the 1970s to Today Courthouse Square has had a rocky 50 years of … [Read more...] about Courthouse Square’s Resilience: Challenges and Possibilities for Tomorrow
History of Sears and Roebuck in Downtown Dayton
In its heyday, downtown Dayton bustled with retail activity, from small shops to massive department stores with so many amenities that they almost served as mini cities of their own. I tell the story of Rike’s in my book Lost Dayton, but today’s article will be about … [Read more...] about History of Sears and Roebuck in Downtown Dayton
The Dayton Arcade’s Grand Opening of 1904
Pre-development work is well underway at the Dayton Arcade, including restoration of the iconic rotunda. The development team hopes to finally close on remaining financing this month. Once real construction begins on the various residential, office, and retail spaces, … [Read more...] about The Dayton Arcade’s Grand Opening of 1904