Author Archives: daytonunknown

Tonja Buford-Bailey

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Tonja Yvette Buford-Bailey was born December 13, 1970 in Dayton, to a mostly-single mother, and is one of seven children. At 8 years old, Tonja joined the track club at her elementary school and while attending Meadowdale High School, she became a four-time state hurdles champion.

Her successes led to three trips to the Olympics – Barcelona in 1992, Atlanta in 1996, and Sydney in 2000. When Tonja made the team in 1992, she was just 21 and was the second youngest Olympian from the U.S. to be sent to Spain. Once the Dayton Daily News published an article about Tonja going to Barcelona, it was publicized that her mother wouldn’t be able to afford the trip to Spain. The article spurred Daytonians on to donate funds to pay for the trip, and Tonja’s mother was able to see Tonja compete.

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Michelangelo is coming to Dayton!

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An amazing new art exhibit and experience is coming to the Mall at Fairfield Commons! Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Experience is opening up today, January 14th in the upper level of the old Elder Beerman store.

According to the website, “This exhibit is reproduced using state-of-the-art technology and is suitable for all audiences, relying on a spacious area where Michelangelo’s masterpieces stretch floor-to-ceiling and closer than ever. The experience will awaken visitors’ curiosity by presenting a never-before-seen perspective of his timeless masterpieces.”
When:
One month, opening January 14th, 2022
Each visit takes 60-90 minutes
Wednesday-Saturday: 10am – 6pm
Sundays: 11am – 5:30pm

Where:
Mall at Fairfield Commons
2727 Fairfield Commons Blvd, Beavercreek, OH 45431
Upper Level of previous Elder-Beerman

Admission:
$19 per adult (13+)
$13.30 per child (4-12)
$14.30 per 65+, student, or military
(VIP ticket options are available also)

Holiday Hiatus

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A few weeks ago, we asked for your favorite local Christmas light locations, and thought we’d share the list we compiled for everyone to enjoy this holiday season.

  • Courthouse Square
  • Lincoln Park in Kettering
  • Carillon Tree of Light
  • 582 Whipp Road (across from Fairhaven Church)

As Dayton Unknown does every year for the holidays, we are going to take a break for the rest of the year to enjoy time with our families.

If you’re looking for some Christmas gift ideas, check out our merchandise!!!

We are always accessible through the Contact Us page, Dayton Unknown on Facebook, and by email – daytonunknown@hotmail.com. Don’t forget to check out our Instagram as well, at @daytonunknown!!

We’ll see you next year!

Edith Deeds

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Edith Deeds was born in Spring Valley in 1869, to Samuel and Mary Walton, and was the older sister of William Walton. In her early life, Edith studied music, painting, and languages at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. Though her father Samuel was a Quaker, the family attended the First Baptist Church after moving to Dayton. It was there that Edith met Colonel Edward Deeds. Edith and Edward married on June 5, 1900. Throughout their marriage, Edith assisted her innovative husband and the infamous Barn Gang by performing office work and participating in the development of the automobile self-starter.
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Upcoming Holiday Bazaars and Craft Shows

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So many of our favorite events have been cancelled over the past year or two, but there are still so many events going on for the holidays!

    • Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar
      When:
      Saturday, November 6
      9am-3pm
      Where:
      Holy Trinity Church
      Trinity Center
      266 Bainbridge Street
      Dayton, Ohio 45402
    • Holiday Arts & Craft Show
      When:
      Saturday, November 13th
      9am-4pm
      Where:
      Kettering Recreation Complex
      2900 Glengarry Drive
      Kettering, Ohio 45420
    • St. Helen Christmas Bazaar
      When:
      Saturday, December 4th
      9am-3pm
      Where:
      St. Helen Catholic School
      5086 Burkhart Road
      Riverside, Ohio 45431

Benjamin Archer

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In 1788, Benjamin Archer moved to Kentucky from New Jersey with his brothers-in-law, Aaron Nutt, Sr. and Benjamin Robbins. The three men struggled with the existence of slavery in Kentucky and after issues with land titles, they decided to leave Kentucky and move to Ohio. Archer, Robbins, and Nutt are considered to be the founders of Centerville.

Archer purchased over 500 acres of land near Clyo Road and Alex-Bell Road – which was originally outside of Centerville’s city limits. Archer came back to Ohio in 1798 to settle with his family.
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A Brief History of Spring Valley

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At the intersection of two busy trade routes, the village of Spring Valley was founded in 1844 by a Quaker father and son duo, Edward Walton, and Moses Walton (grandfather and great-grandfather of William Walton). The Cincinnati-Xenia Pike crossed the Little Miami Railroad, and with the many natural springs and Little Miami River, the location provided the perfect crossroads to build an agricultural market.

By 1860, Spring Valley had a hotel, tannery, two blacksmiths, two cabinetmakers, two physicians, two grocers, and a shoemaker, along with a wool mill and flour mill, started by prominent citizen, George Barrett. Moses Walton also partnered with George Barrett’s son, Isaac, to produce and distribute smoked meats, wool, and flax products nationally.
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Ida Weller

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Ida Evaline Albrecht (later Albright) was born in 1876 to farmer parents. Her father’s farm was located on the western side of State Route 48, where Bethany Lutheran Village now stands.

In 1893, At the age of 17, Ida graduated from the Washington Township High School on West Franklin Street. The building still stands today, and until recently, was the Las Piramides Mexican restaurant. Two years later at the age of 19, Ida earned her teaching certificate from Ohio Northern College and from 1895-1897, Ida taught at Schoolhouse Number 8, which was located at McEwen Road and State Route 725.
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