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
Sanborn 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
James H McGee Boulevard History: Road Widenings, 35 West, and Neighborhoods
In my last article on the Bowers Building on West Third Street, I mentioned how James H McGee Boulevard was originally created as a widening of what had been Western Ave. As it turns out, that is an interesting story in its own right which I'll dig into today. James H. … [Read more...] about James H McGee Boulevard History: Road Widenings, 35 West, and Neighborhoods
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)
History of the Oscar Gottschall House
The beautiful building at 20 Livingston Ave, just off of Huffman Ave, is known as the Oscar M. Gottschall house. It was built c. 1870 for Gottschall, a prominent Dayton attorney, and his wife Octavia Soule who were married in 1869. It's an unusual building which … [Read more...] about History of the Oscar Gottschall House
History of the United Business Services (UBS) Building
I recently published an article about Woodard Development's foray into the Oregon District. Today I'll cover the history of another building they purchased just on the edge of the historic neighborhood. The former United Business Services (UBS) Building is located at … [Read more...] about History of the United Business Services (UBS) Building
The Lost Calvert Apartments on Wilkinson St
Downtown Dayton west of Wilkinson Street is an area that's lost many beautiful buildings over the years. In fact, its transformation from dense residential neighborhood to large complexes for government and educational institutions was so complete that I wrote an article … [Read more...] about The Lost Calvert Apartments on Wilkinson St
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?