Category Archives: Local History

Local Author Andrew Walsh

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Local Academic Librarian Andrew Walsh became especially interested in information literacy instruction, emerging technologies, and open education resources. His writing focuses on topics such as architecture, urban renewal, and historic preservation. Andrew aims to connect the past to current redevelopment efforts.

Andrew’s interest in Dayton History began when he moved to Dayton and became curious about the area surrounding his apartment in the Dayton Towers, where he lived at the time. During his research, he was fascinated by the major powerhouse the city once was. Andrew now lives in the Oregon District with his wife and two children and he writes the blog Dayton Vistas.

Some of Andrew’s work includes:
Removing Barriers: Textbook Affordability and OER at Sinclair Community College. Reference Services Review. 48:3, July 2020. Peer-reviewed.

Lost Dayton, Ohio. Charleston, SC: The History Press, 2018.

Beyond ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’: Google As a Crucial Component of Information Literacy in The Complete Guide to Using Google in Libraries. Rowman & Littlefield, March 2015.

“Using Website Analytics Tools in the Development of a Humanities Library Web Portal.” In Web Analytic Strategies for Information Professionals: a LITA Guide. Neal Schuman, 2013. Andrew Walsh, Harriett Green and Jordan Ruud.

Enjoying Life: A Conversation with John Pfitsch. The Grinnell Magazine. Spring 2010 (Vol. 42 Number 3) (Cover Story)

A Bank Robbery on May 6, 1930

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When men burst into The Union Trust Company on Xenia Avenue, they commanded P.J. Kloos, the manager, along with several employees, to “stick ‘em up.” They didn’t know there were plain clothes police in attendance. Due to the rash of robberies in the area and time frame, police stationed two officers at each bank. Patrolman W.L. Dempsey snuck to the rear of the building and opened fire. The robbers fired back. When Dempsey believed he had injured and incapacitated the men, he left them to be dealt with by his partner Patrolman Bernard Hock and went after the accomplices outside the bank.

As soon as they spotted the patrolman, the men fled up a side street and attempted to get a truck driver to help them flee. The truck driver stalled his engine and that gave Patrolman Dempsey time to open fire on the two men. A 21-year-old man named James Royal of St. Louis MO was wounded and his companion was killed. The companion was unidentified and estimated to be about 35 years old. A stray bullet struck a ten-year-old girl, Eleanor Fetz, who had the luck of walking in front of the bank at the time of the robbery.

Taken by surprise, the men inside did not get away with any money. One man was injured by Patrolman Dempsey’s bullets, but both men were able to flee.

The police security had been put in place a month prior in response to another robbery at the location. Five bandits armed with machine guns had robbed the bank of $33,000.

I-75 Construction Delayed Again

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Reconstruction of I-75 near downtown Dayton has been delayed further due to finding multiple areas where the thickness of the pavement was deeper than expected. Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has stated this would require additional and substantial work to complete the project.

The construction taking place now is the first time this section of I-75 has been rebuilt down to the base since its construction in the 1950s. Decades of construction and reconstruction will need to be removed before constructing the new road to ensure quality and longevity.

The remaining work, which depends on the weather for progress, poses many challenges. Many important tasks cannot be performed during winter months, which adds to complications to adhering to the schedule.

Completion of the work was planned for Summer 2027, but with the complications and additional work required, the date will have to be reassessed as the project continues.

For more details about i-75 construction and delays, visit the ODOT website here: ODOT – Montgomery County: Construction Update

Terrorizing Catholics, Jews and Immigrants: The Ku Klux Klan in 1920s Dayton

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The University of Dayton (UD) is holding a free event to discuss the history of the Ku Klux Klan in Dayton in the 1920s.

Per the event website, the event is “a public humanities event featuring a public talk and roundtable on the Ku Klux Klan in 1920s Dayton and the state of the fight against hate in Ohio today. Keynote address by UD Historian and Religious Studies faculty member William Trollinger on the KKK in 1920’s Dayton and the University of Dayton’s response, followed by a roundtable of civil rights leaders from across the state, including Kelly Fishman of the ADL’s Cleveland Office, David Whitehead, VP of the Cincinnati NAACP and Fr. Satish Joseph of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. The discussion will be moderated by Natalie Hudson, Executive Director of the Human Rights Center at the University of Dayton. Reception to follow.

See the Facebook Event Page for additional information.

Nancy Cartwright Donates to Rosewood Arts Center

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Nancy Cartwright, Emmy Award winning voice of Bart Simpson and former Kettering resident, gave back to Kettering in a big way. She donated $100,000 to The Rosewood Arts Center Reinvention and Renovation campaign. Cartwright graduated from Fairmont West High School, now Fairmont High School. Cartwright’s voice talents are not limited to just Bart Simpson, she has also voiced Ralph Wiggum, Todd Flanders, Nelson Muntz, and Maggie. Among many of her other voice roles are: Chucky from Rugrats, Rufus from Kim Possible, and Mindy from Animaniacs.

In a statement, Cartwright commented, “I am thrilled and deeply honored to contribute to this incredible art facility. I truly believe that the expansion and survival of our culture depend on our unwavering support for both art and artists. The Rosewood Arts Center stands as a beacon for bringing hope and inspiring greatness in others.”

Cartwright will also have a permanent association with Rosewood as it introduces “The Nancy Cartwright Painting and Drawing Studio.”

Upcoming Sara Kaushal Author Events

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More events are likely to be added, but here is the current list of events where you can meet Sara, hear about her books, and buy a few!

  • Murder & Mayhem in Dayton and the Miami Valley Book Talk
    August 29, 10 AM, Charles Lathrem Senior Center in Kettering
  • Dayton Ghosts & Legends Book Talk
    September 24, 6 pm, Jamestown Library
  • Spooky Presentation
    October 3, 330, Brookville Library
  • Huber Haunts Truck or Treat
    October 6, 1-4, Thomas Cloud Park
  • Urban Legends Presentation
    October 10, 11 AM, Vandalia Senior Center
  • Fairborn Halloween Festival
    October 11-13
  • Dayton Ghosts & Legends Book Talk
    October 15, 7 pm Centerville Washington Township RecPlex
  • Urban Legends Presentation
    October 19, noon, Dayton Metro Library Downtown
  • Dayton Ghosts & Legends Book Talk
    October 23, 2 pm, St Leonard’s Community
  • Urban Legends Presentation
    October 28, 6 pm Northmont Library

The Lady Be Good

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Remnants of a plane at Wright Patterson Air Force Museum hold quite the ghost story. This story comes from Sara’s book Dayton Ghosts & Legends:Lady Be Good – In 1943, 25 B-24Ds of the 376th Bomb Group took off from their base in Libya for an attack against facilities in Naples. All but one returned that night. The one missing was the Lady Be Good. It took nearly 16 years for the plane to be discovered in the Libyan desert. When a ground party reached the plane in March 1959, evidence showed the crew had gotten lost in the dark and flew south over the base into the desert. When the fuel ran out, the men attempted to flee from the plane and head north, back to base.

LBG Journal

Excepts from co-pilot Robert F. Toner’s journal. Source: Lady Be Good.net

A long search for the remains returned eight of the nine crew members. One was located near the plane and seven were far north of the plane. Five of the crew had walked 78 miles before succumbing to the desert and one man had gone 109 miles. Additionally, the men had lived for eight days, which was miraculously longer than the two day survival expectation of men in those conditions. No trace of the ninth man was ever found.
Continue reading →

Local Author: Marshall Weiss

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Author of Stories of Jewish Dayton and Jewish Community of Dayton, Dayton resident Marshall Weiss is also the editor and publisher of The Dayton Jewish Observer, which he established more than twenty years ago for the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton.

He was a past president of The American Jewish Press Association and helped establish the Jewish Scholastic Press Association for high school students. Marshall is the recipient of numerous first-place awards from the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists and Simon Rockower Awards given by the American Jewish Press Association. He received Religion News Association’s first-place Cassels Award for Excellence in Religion Reporting at Small Newspapers in 2017.

More Summer Events

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  • What: Dayton Celtic Festival
    Date: July 26-28
    Where: Riverscape MetroPark, 111 E Monument Avenue, Dayton

  • What: Demolition Derby
    Date: July 29
    Time: 7 pm
    Where: Greene County Fairgrounds

  • What: All Ohio Balloon Fest
    Date: August 8-10
    Where: Union County Airport, 1500 Weaver Road Entrance, Marysville

  • What: Germanfest Picnic
    Date: August 9-11
    Where: 1400 E. 5th Street, Dayton

  • What: Taco and Nacho Fest
    Date: August 24
    Time: 3-10 pm
    Where: 10400 Innovation Drive

Collins School

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For the purpose of building a school, Samuel and Rebecca Collins deeded 1.28 acres of land to Beavercreek Township in 1854. Two brick school houses were built with stone, including fireplaces for heat. Until decreased enrollment forced the school to close in 1944, children were educated from first through eighth grade in the red brick building still standing today.

Thirty eight years later, Helen Bryson Brantley (great granddaughter to Samuel and Rebecca Collins) and her husband Virgil purchased the property to restore the schoolhouse, which had deteriorated and been vandalized. They rebuilt the pony sheds and privies on their foundations. Collins School was rededicated on August 30, 1986.

Two teachers were enlisted to research and organize a curriculum. Later that fall, students were invited to attend to experience a day of the 3 Rs; “readin’ ritin’ and rithmetic’” as it would have been experienced during the schools operating days. Today, roughly 2,400 students and adults experience Collins School each year. They learn citizenship, read from McGuffey Readers, practice writing on slates, and play period appropriate games in the school yard. Collins School is located in Xenia at 2804 West Enon Road.

Fun Fact: Sara and Bethany both went on field trips to Collins School when they were in elementary school!