Category Archives: Local History

Prominent Local Figures: Jonathan Dayton

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JDaytonJonathan Dayton (Source)

Although he is not from Dayton, and had never actually visited Ohio, we owe our city’s name to a relatively unknown historical figure, Jonathan Dayton.

Jonathan Dayton was born in Elizabethtown (presently named Elizabeth), New Jersey in 1760. His father, Elias Dayton, was a storekeeper and active in local and state politics. Jonathan entered into the Continental Army after graduating from the College of New Jersey, which was later renamed Princeton.

Dayton served under his father, General Elias Dayton, and became Captain by the age of 19. Some of the men serving under him were Israel Ludlow, James Wilkinson, and Arthur St. Clair, who would later purchase the land that bears his name.

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Bess Little

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By all accounts, Bessie Little lived a life full of ups and downs. Born as Tressie Doty and orphaned, she was adopted at the age of two by Peter and Elizabeth Little from the Miami County Infirmary in Troy.

She was known to be a sweet girl, studious and kind. She was a regular at her church, and a beauty to everyone who knew her, including Albert Franz.

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Dayton Sideshow

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Sideshow 11

When: Friday May 13 from 5pm to 1 am and Saturday, May 14 from 3pm to 1 am

Where: Old Yellow Cab Building, 700 East Fourth Street, Dayton 45402.

This weekend is Sideshow 11, Dayton’s community arts festival. You will see paintings, sculptures, and art installations and hear live musical acts. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. This is a family friendly event, so bring the kids along as you explore different styles of art and self-expression. Food trucks and local brews will be available as well, so make a night of it.

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Dayton Firsts Parts 1

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Curious about the early days of Dayton? Here’s a little more information:

First Surveyor – Daniel C. Cooper, of New Jersey. He laid out lands now embraced within the city of Dayton.
    
First Blacksmith – The first blacksmith to open up a shop in Dayton was John Burns. Others opening in competition with him were Obadiah Conover, Jacob Kuhn and James Davis.

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Lib Hedges

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Everyone knew about Pearl Street in Dayton’s Red Light District, but nobody admitted so.

“Most of the houses were ornately trimmed; each had the name of the proprietor, a single woman posted in the door glass or permanently etched there, and at night, in the window on a table sat a red lamp, spreading its cheery invitation to all.  Within the houses many women followed a profession dignified only by its extreme age.”

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Dayton’s 220th Anniversary

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Happy 220th Anniversary Dayton!

If the 50th anniversary gift is gold, I suppose we could make the 220th anniversary gift some Dayton Firsts:

First day:

“April 1, 1796. Landed at Dayton, after a passage of ten days, William Gahagan and myself having come with Thompson’s and McClure’s families in a large pirogue.”

– Benjamin Van Cleve, in his journal.

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Hometown Eats – Part 4

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Looking for a place to eat dinner this weekend? Check out these local restaurants!

  • Thai 9 – Thai & Sushi
    – 11 Brown Street, Dayton
    – Business Casual Dress Code – Jeans and tshirt accepted, no tank tops.

  • El Meson – Hispanic Food/Tapas
    – 903 East Dixie Drive
    – Gluten Free and Vegetarian Friendly

  • Carver’s Steak & Chops
    – 1535 Miamisburg Centerville Road
    – Happy Hour 5-7 Weekdays

  • Boston’s Bistro & Pub
    – 7500 North Main Street, Dayton
    – Say hi to Dave the owner for us!

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    Owner David Boston with Millionaire Matchmaker’s Justin Bird.

  • Barnsider Restaurant
    – 5202 North Main Street
    – Great Service!

  • Crazy Mango Bar & Bistro
    – 81 Magnolia Lane, The Greene
    – Eat outside for a great atmosphere!

Prominent Local Figures: James Ritty

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After opening his first saloon in Dayton, James “Jake” Ritty had a problem.

Jake’s employees were stealing, and he could not prove it. Stressed over the deficit in his profits, Jake decided to sail to Europe to get away for a while.

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Esther Price – Dayton’s Sweetheart

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Christmas in Dayton isn’t complete until a box of Esther Price candy has passed through your hands.

Although the business got its start in 1926, Esther Price’s roots as a candy maker go back to a 7th grade Home Economics class. After partnering with her classmate to make fudge the first time, Esther kept her share to give to her mother, but decided instead to eat that share and make more when she got home. A love affair with candy was born.

Esther started making candy for income while she worked at Rike’s, selling candy to her coworkers to supplement her income. After leaving the job to stay at home with a growing family, Esther started making candy to help make ends meet while her husband Ralph worked at the National Biscuit Company.

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