Over the past several years, as I’ve researched Dayton’s industrial history and the neighborhoods that once surrounded its factories, one theme has come up repeatedly: Appalachian migration. Between the late 1930s and 1960s, tens of thousands of people from eastern … [Read more...] about Appalachian Migration to Dayton, Ohio: Where Families Lived and Worked
Urban Renewal
Urban Renewal and Lost Buildings at Main and 3rd
Recently I wrote about the lost East Second Street historic district (today the Premier Health Tower). For today's post we'll shift south one block to see how the entire east side of Main and the north side of Third have also been lost to demolition over the years, not at … [Read more...] about Urban Renewal and Lost Buildings at Main and 3rd
The Deneau Tower: History and Redevelopment
The Deneau Tower is a major fixture in Dayton's skyline and also holds a special significance in the story of downtown's progress during the suburban exodus of the mid-20th century. It was built in 1969, and because of its era the building has not been admired in quite … [Read more...] about The Deneau Tower: History and Redevelopment
The Decline of Downtown Retail post-1950: Suburbanization, Urban Renewal, and More
Recently I reflected on the golden age of retail in downtown Dayton, tracing the history of Rike's, Elder-Beerman, and other popular downtown department and specialty stores. Today the environment is much different, with many local businesses struggling to survive and only a … [Read more...] about The Decline of Downtown Retail post-1950: Suburbanization, Urban Renewal, and More
Then and Now: Urban Renewal at 3rd St and Wilkinson
In my book Lost Dayton Ohio I talk about the once-luxurious Robert Boulevard near the Great Miami River on the western edge of downtown. The surrounding area was largely residential, with West Third Street serving as a major thoroughfare with businesses and even some … [Read more...] about Then and Now: Urban Renewal at 3rd St and Wilkinson
Did Urban Renewal Work in Dayton? A Status Report from 1969
With the benefit of over a half century of hindsight, we now consider the large-scale urban renewal projects of the 1950s and 1960s as huge mistakes which hastened the decline of our cities instead of improving them. By razing human-scale, walkable neighborhoods for … [Read more...] about Did Urban Renewal Work in Dayton? A Status Report from 1969
The History and Razing of the Haymarket (The Actual Market)
In many of my presentations (and my book Lost Dayton Ohio), I tell the story of the lost Haymarket neighborhood, which was located in between the Oregon District and St. Anne's Hill, and how it met its end. This article will also chronicle the end of the hay market, … [Read more...] about The History and Razing of the Haymarket (The Actual Market)
Then and Now: Downtown Homes Long Demolished at 4th and Perry
I've written some about the western side of downtown Dayton, which before urban renewal was largely residential and contained some of the most beautiful homes in the city. The street that featured the largest concentration of "luxury" housing was Robert Boulevard, which … [Read more...] about Then and Now: Downtown Homes Long Demolished at 4th and Perry
History of Old and New Brown Street, Split Up by a Freeway
Out of all of Dayton's main urban streets, Brown Street has perhaps the most interesting history. Many other prominent city streets remain the way they were originally laid out, while others (or large parts of them) were wiped off the map completely during urban renewal … [Read more...] about History of Old and New Brown Street, Split Up by a Freeway
Sinclair Helps Bring Back Lost Park Feel in Former Robert Boulevard Area
The main campus of Sinclair Community College was built on a section of downtown that was completely demolished during urban renewal in the 1960s. The area was largely residential and contained some of the most beautiful residences in the city, with the largest concentration … [Read more...] about Sinclair Helps Bring Back Lost Park Feel in Former Robert Boulevard Area