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A Look at the Past, Present, and Future of the Gem City

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Terra Cotta District

RKO Colonial Theater and DPS Buildings: Downtown Then and Now

August 30, 2025 By Andrew Walsh Leave a Comment

fifth and ludlow looking north today

Today we'll look at a before and after of the intersection of Fifth and Ludlow Streets looking north towards Fourth. This was a bustling commercial area in the early 20th century, and there have been some significant changes to the buildings over time, although the block … [Read more...] about RKO Colonial Theater and DPS Buildings: Downtown Then and Now

Filed Under: Historical Dayton Tagged With: Dayton Public Schools, Reynolds and Reynolds, RKO Colonial Theatre, Terra Cotta, Terra Cotta District, Theaters

What’s the Story Behind Downtown’s Pretzinger Lane?

January 10, 2025 By Andrew Walsh 4 Comments

Pretzinger Lane Downtown Dayton

One of the shortest streets downtown can be found just across from the south side of the Dayton Arcade. Pretzinger Lane is a mid-block street that runs only from Fourth to Fifth, and it offers nice vistas as one walks down it but overall is a bit of a curious case. … [Read more...] about What’s the Story Behind Downtown’s Pretzinger Lane?

Filed Under: New Developments Tagged With: Albert Pretzinger, Dayton Arcade, Pretzinger Lane, Reibold Building, Terra Cotta District, Urban Planning

Work Underway at Graphic Arts Building?

January 24, 2020 By Andrew Walsh Leave a Comment

graphic arts building construction dayton

In the last couple of days, there has been activity spotted at the Graphic Arts Building downtown. Part of the Terra-Cotta Historic District, the building is located just south of the intersection of Fifth and Ludlow Streets, across Ludlow from the Third Perk coffee … [Read more...] about Work Underway at Graphic Arts Building?

Filed Under: New Developments Tagged With: Graphic Arts Building, Ohio Christian Book Association, Schenck and Williams, Terra Cotta District, Windsor Companies

Downtown Dayton’s Terra Cotta District: History and Redevelopment

November 15, 2018 By Andrew Walsh 2 Comments

Dayton Terra Cotta District

Many hope that the development momentum in some parts of downtown Dayton will keep spreading west of Main to the area around 4th, 5th and Ludlow Streets. A small cluster of buildings there is actually on the National Register as the Terra Cotta Historic District, and … [Read more...] about Downtown Dayton’s Terra Cotta District: History and Redevelopment

Filed Under: New Developments Tagged With: Bollinger Building, Christian Association Building, Dayton Public Schools, Fidelity Building, Furniture Stores, Hamiel Building, Reed Furniture Co, Reed-Steffen Building, Reynolds and Reynolds, Steffen Bros, Terra Cotta, Terra Cotta District, Third Perk, Thomas Building

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