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March 10, 2010
Artifacts Recall Old Pony House Saloon
by Hubert Meeker Copyright 1968
How the inventor of the cash register created a showplace, including a handcarved bar that now resides at Jays Restaurant in the Oregon District. This article appeared in the Journal Herald on June 15, 1968
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins
Dedication of the Soldiers' Monument
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1941
A personal account of when the Soldiers' Monument was dedicated on Main Street in 1884.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer
A New Story to Add to the Wright Archives
by Roz Young Copyright December 17, 1994
Someone writes in to say they watched the Wright Brothers fly at a state fair in Pennsylvania in 1908
Would This Be Allowed Today?
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright Unknown
When horses, pigs and cows were common in downtown Dayton.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer
March 3, 2010
The Curfew Tolls the Knell of Parting Day
by Lulu B. Sollers Copyright 1943
During WWII juvenile criminal delinquency "become a menace to the preservation of public peace, safety, health, morals", so a curfew was set for minors under fifteen years old.
Food Stamps and Nutrition
by Walter M. Costello Copyright 1942
How the food stamp program was helping during WWII. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1942.
The Municipal Airport and the War Department
by George M. McSherry Copyright 1942
Wright Field and Patterson became so busy with airplanes during WWII that the government also began using the municipal airport in Vandalia as well. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1942
Public War Housing
by Charlton D. Putnam Copyright 1943
How the Dayton Metro Housing Authority developed temporary housing for war workers who were working in the city. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1943
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer
The Soldiers' Service Club
by Mrs. W. B. Mansur Copyright 1942
A recreation center for service men was opened in 1941. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1942.
Victory Gardens
by Edward V. Stoecklein Copyright 1943
How planting a victory garden was "vital to the welfare of the nation". This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1943.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer
February 28, 2010
33 Years a City Policeman
by Dan McLaughlin Copyright 1957
Detective Captain Roy T. Shephard recalls the good old days of being on the Dayton Police force. The article appeared in the Journal Herald July 9, 1957
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer
Army Uses Eastwood Park
by S. E. Seitner Copyright 1943
The U.S. Army created a recreational center at Eastwood Park to help boost morale of soldiers working at Wright Field during WWII. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1943
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer
Dayton Police Ballistic Department in the 1930s
by various authors Copyright 1933 & 1934
This series of six articles that appeared various Dayton newspapers chronicle the beginnings of the Dayton Police ballistic laboratories in the 1930s.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Sylvia Kamp
It Was a Splendid Old Mansion
by Jessie Donahue Copyright 1968
How the Pollak House (now the Dayton Peace Museum) was in danger of being demolished.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins
February 27, 2010
1913 Memories Come Flooding Back
by Roz Young Copyright March 20, 1993
Roz prints a letter Amos Crow wrote to his parents shortly after the 1913 flood hit Dayton
Album of Memories
by Margaret Ann Ahlers Copyright 1960
When Dayton’s growth demanded more hotels and new street cars. This article appeared in the Journal Herald on August 16, 1960
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins
The Downfall of Chief Farrell
by Howard Burba Copyright April 25, 1937
Dayton Police Chief Thomas J. Farrell was forced to resign in 1900.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Kathleen Lauri
Park Gift Recalls Pioneer Days
by Larry Collins Copyright 1952
Patterson Homestead, on Brown Street, is given to the City of Dayton. This article appeared in the Dayton Daily News on June 22, 1952
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Sylvia Kamp
Police Force Has White Elephant in Sleek, Streamlined Ambulance
by Sylvan Fred Copyright 1941
Dayton police had troubles with Sally, their new ambulance, as well as Black Maria, their old one. This article appeared in the Dayton Journal on March 10, 1941
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer
Survey of Dayton Public Markets
by Bureau of Municipal Research Copyright 1914
A survey of where the markets were located, how many stalls were in use and who used them
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins
February 21, 2010
Platt Iron Works
by Roz Young Copyright December 30, 1976
The story of Platt Iron Works and how well their products held up
Rike's Arkay News Celebrates Big Birthday
by Roz Young Copyright February 21, 1978
Rike's employee newsletter, called the Arkay News, celebrated 50 years of being in print in 1978
Shakers (and Movers)
by Roz Young Copyright July 29, 1978
How Melba Hunt, who would go on to create the Kettering-Moraine Museum, started the Shaker festivals in Ohio
February 18, 2010
Celebrate July 4th with a Toast to Benjamin Van Cleve
by Roz Young Copyright May 2, 1992
Van Cleve was chairman the first time Dayton celebrated the Fourth of July, which took place in 1809
Dayton Company Lifted Spirits of Many During Dry Season
by Roz Young Copyright June 26, 1993
Dayton's name became famous across the country as the center of the mail-order whiskey business
Mabel Beck's Story Part of Wright Brothers' Story
by Roz Young Copyright November 20, 1993 - March 12, 1994
A series of articles that deal with Mabel Beck, who was Orville Wright's lifelong secretary
Matriarch Murder
by Roz Young Copyright May 8 and May 15, 1993
Mary Knight is found guilty of murdering her mother, Catherine Hark, in 1895
Police Collar Clergyman for Murder
by Roz Young Copyright July 24, 1993
In 1891 Rev. Charles M. J. Clark is accused of murdering his wife in order to marry someone else
Sister Aimee's Revivals
by Roz Young Copyright August 14 and August 21, 1993
Sister Aimee came to Dayton to heal the sick and make the blind see
A Walk Through Woodland Can be Memorable Journey
by Roz Young Copyright May 23, 1992
A book came out that year that celebrated Woodland's 150th anniversary.
February 16, 2010
Dayton Street Names (Video)
How some of the streets in Dayton got their names. Courtesy of the Montgomery County Report.
Dayton's 1930s Gangster Connections (Video)
The time John Dillinger was captured by the Dayton Police Department. Courtesy of the Montgomery County Report.
Montgomery County's War Memorials (Video)
A tour of the many war memorials honoring those from Montgomery County who served their country. Courtesy of the Montgomery County Report.
The Old Court House (Video)
A history of the Old Court House at Third and Main. Courtesy of the Montgomery County Report.
The Reibold Building (Video)
A short history of the Reibold Building. Courtesy of the Montgomery County Report.
February 10, 2010
The Dayton Hostage Negotiation Team
by retired Sgt. Steve Grismer Copyright 2010
The history of how the Dayton Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT) came into existence.
Reproduced here with the author's permission
February 8, 2010
Dayton in the 1940s
Photographs of Dayton during the 1940s. Thirteen have been placed online so far. More will be added as DHBO comes across them.
Neighborhoods of Dayton - West Side
Photographs of various people and places on the west side of Dayton. Eighteen have been placed online. More will be added as DHBO comes across them.
February 5, 2010
Parking Meters
by Captain E. S. Bates Copyright 1940
The reason why Dayton began putting parking meters downtown. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1940
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Lisa Kell
The W.P.A. - Old and New
by Karl Woditsch Copyright 1940
How the W.P.A. program helped unemployed Daytonians during the Great Depression. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1940.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Lisa Kell
February 3, 2010
The Duties of a Fireman
by C. J. Murphy Copyright 1940
What firemen did from 7am to 8pm while on duty. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1940
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Lisa Kell
A Modern Highway Replaces a State Canal
by Fred O. Eichelberger Copyright 1940
How the canal that ran through Dayton was turned into Patterson Blvd. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1940
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Lisa Kell
The Siege of Cincinnati
Edited by George Crout and W. D. Vorhis Copyright 1962
An account of the battle to protect Cincinnati during the Civil War, including sections from Daytonian Sgt. Charles B. Palmer's diary, who was there. This article appeared in Camerica Sunday on October 28, 1962
A Steam Carriage on Rails - In A Church!
by Margaret Ann Ahlers Copyright 1961
In 1830 a miniature locomotive and car were exhibited here in the Methodist “meeting house.”
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer
Trolley Coaches and Curb Stops
by R. F. Wurstner Copyright 1940
On April 23, 1933, the first electric trolley coaches ever used in Ohio were placed in operation in Dayton. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1940.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Lisa Kell
January 30, 2010
Dayton Arcade
There are 27 photos of the magnificent Dayton Arcade during 1969 here now. More images from other years will be added later.
Photographs of Dayton Today
The photos of various Dayton landmarks were taken over the last three years. Eighteen more photos were added today for a total of 91 images.
A Letter From the Past
by Roz Young Copyright July 7, 1979
Roz reprints a letter written in 1884 by a man who watched the unveiling of the Soldiers Monument downtown
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins
Liberty Head Penny Used For City of Dayton Seal in 1826
by Dayton Daily News Copyright 1937
When Dayton had to choose a town seal, the Liberty Head penny, with its 13 stars around a woman's portrait, was chosen. The article appeared in the Dayton Daily News on December 5, 1937
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer
Two-Way Radio for Police
by Perry E. Benton Copyright 1940
Dayton police decided to buy two-way radios for their police cars in order to protect President Franklin D. Roosevelt during his visit to Dayton. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1940.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Lisa Kell
January 28, 2010
Soldiers' Monument - Series of Articles
by Dick Cull Jr. Copyright 1946
Three articles on the history of the monument due to the possibility of it being moved from downtown (which happened shortly afterwards). The articles appeared in the Dayton Daily News May 15-17, 1946
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins
January 27, 2010
100 Years Ago Today Dayton Went to Town For Columbus Day
by Roz Young Copyright October 10, 1992
How Dayton celebrated the 400th Anniversary of Columbus discovering America
Poor Albert Frantz - Bessie Little's Sad Story Brings Back Memories
by Roz Young Copyright October 6, 2000
The murder of Bessie Little is remembered in a song
Rest In Peace
by Roz Young Copyright December 1, 1990
Bessie Little's grave marker is restored
September 1896
by Roz Young Copyright September 14, 1991
September 1896 was a busy one, with the murder of Bessie Little and Dayton's Centennial celebration
January 26, 2010
The End of the Van Cleve
by Jerry R. Cole Copyright 1969
The demise of the Van Cleve hotel in 1969. This article appeared in the Journal Herald on June 11, 1969
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins
Old Lady Gets a New Face
by Herbert Meeker Copyright 1966
How the Victoria Theater fared in the 1960s, including a restoration by the owners. The article appeared in the Journal Herald on Augsut 26, 1966
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins
A Piece of History Will Be No More
by Rex Broome Copyright 1961
The demise of the old Wayne Market House on Wayne Avenue that had to be removed to make room for Route 35. The article appeared in the Journal Herald August 24, 1961
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins
Steele Lion
Author unknown Copyright Circa 1935
The story of the lions that once stood in front of Steele High - both the original plaster one and the more familiar bronze one that later replaced it. This was written as part of the WPA writers project during the Great Depression
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer
January 21, 2010
Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum's History (Video)
The history of this beautiful cemetery is told here in two parts. Founded in 1841, Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum is the resting place of many Daytonian notables, including Paul Laurence Dunbar, Orville and Wilbur Wright, Adam Schantz, Erma Bombeck and Charles Kettering, to name just a few. More videos about Woodland can be found here on their YouTube website.
January 17, 2010
Dr. Brown Found "Light" in Blindness
by Mary Ellen Wolf Copyright 1964
A write-up on Dr. Eleanor Brown following her death in 1964. Although blind, she taught school for 35 years at Steele High, then went on to Wilbur Wright High School. The article appeared in the Journal Herald on July 22, 1964
Special Sense of Sight
by William Bennington Copyright 1964
A write-up on Dr. Eleanor Brown following her death in 1964. Although blind, she taught school for 35 years at Steele High, then went on to Wilbur Wright High School. The article appeared in the Journal Herald on July 22, 1964
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer
January 16, 2010
Another Link in Unbroken Chain
by Carl Wise Copyright 1935
The early days of education in Dayton are recalled. The article appeared in The Dayton Journal on August 14, 1935
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer
A Dream
by Walter B. Costello Copyright 1940
Dayton becomes the second city in the United States to become a part of the Food Stamp Plan
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Lisa Kell
The Man Who Rivaled Edison in Number of Inventions
by James W. Beckman Copyright 1941
The story of Vincent G. Apple, who holds more patents than anyone else in Dayton.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins
The Municipal Airport Goes to War
by George M. McSherry Copyright 1943
A wide variety of changes were made to the airport in Vandalia so that it would be up to the standards the military needed during World War II
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Amanda Mieskoski
Our City Parks
by S. E. Seitner Copyright 1940
The creation of Dayton's city parks, including Riverview, Eastwood and McKinley
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Lisa Kell
January 12, 2010
Sam's Monuments Falling
by Billie Bledsoe Copyright 1972
A wonderful collection of monuments to a man's memory came down due to "progress". The article appeared in the Journal Herald on July 8, 1972.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer
January 4, 2010
Institutional Farming
by James W. Russell Copyright 1943
How prisoners at the Workhouse Farm had their own Victory Gardens to raise food during WWII. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1943.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins
Oscar Wilde in Dayton
by Charlotte Reeve Conover Copyright 1937
Oscar was not exactly "wild" about his short visit to Dayton in 1882.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins
Sirens Installed for Safety
by Perry Benton Copyright 1943
Dayton placed "Victory Sirens" around the city during WWII to warn of enemy attack. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1943
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins
Soldiers' Service Club Activities
by Viola D. Mansur Copyright 1943
A variety of services and entertainment was available at the Dayton Soldiers' Service Club to the estimated 17,000 soldiers that came through the city every month during WWII. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1943.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins
War Housing
by Fowler S. Smith Copyright 1943
How Dayton tried to cope with the problem of trying to house all of the workers who had poured into the city to work in the factories during WWII. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1943.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins
January 2, 2010
The Liberty Bell
by Dayton Daily News Copyright 1936
For 15 minutes on the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 18, 1904, Dayton gazed in patriotic interest on America’s most treasured historical relic – the Liberty Bell. The article appeared in the Dayton Daily News on January 12, 1936
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer
Mrs. Miller Laid to Rest
by Dayton Daily News 1914
A tribute to Emma L. Miller, "Little Mother of the Soldiers' Home", who died there in 1914. The article appeared in the Dayton Daily News on January 20, 1914
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins
