Tag Archives: Dayton history

Victor Galbraith

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Note: Based on conflicting sources during my research while writing this, most of the information is based on the overall consensus of the facts during that time.

Listen my children and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere…

Many have heard or at least heard of the poem Paul Revere’s Ride, but how many have heard of the poem titled Victor Galbraith, also by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow? Before you read it, let’s get a little background:

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Magee Park

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In real estate, a property’s value is all about location, location, location. Is that the case for supernatural and unexplained happenings in Bellbrook? Magee Park seems to be the location for many a supernatural haunt. Located in Ohio’s Sleepy Hollow, Magee Park boasts more spooky stories than can be told around a campfire in one night.

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Some Interesting Street Names

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  • Shoup Mill Road —Named for the mill on the Stillwater River

  • Claggett Drive, Neff Road, Ensley Avenue, and Drill Avenue – named for early settlers of Dayton

  • Bidleman Street — Short street named for Chas Bidleman, a Dayton dry goods merchant

  • Clay Street —named for Henry Clay, a former candidate for U.S. president

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Dayton Sights: Wright Brothers Benches

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“It wasn’t luck that made them fly; it was hard work and common sense; they put their whole heart and soul and all their energy into an idea and they had the faith.” – John T. Daniels, who witnessed the first flights.

There are reportedly nine identical benches sculpted by David Evans Black, located all around the Dayton area. On the edge of the seat on the front, it reads, “Dedicated to the immortal spirit of Daytonians Orville and Wilbur Wright…” and continues on the back seat-edge with, “whose gift of powered flight lifted our world forever skyward.” The bench is designed to be reminiscent of the bench shown in the famous photograph of the Wright brothers’ first flight.

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Magee Park: J. Buckley

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Another urban legend from Ohio’s Sleepy Hollow.

As the urban legend goes, John (also sometimes listed as James) Buckley was a rich man living along the banks of Possum Run Creek (now Little Sugar Creek). One night, his cabin was broken into and he was decapitated as thieves tried to find his buried treasure, and his ghost still haunts the creek looking for his head.

Is this story true? Did this really happen?

Well, yes and no.

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Edwin C. Moses

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“Lots of people let it go by and never accomplish what they want. I just wanted to see what I could do.” – Edwin C. Moses

Edwin Corley Moses was born in 1955 in Dayton, Ohio. As the son of two educators, Edwin took academics seriously. In addition to being an excellent student, he was also a gifted athlete.

During high school, Edwin participated briefly in basketball and football, but soon turned to Track and Field. Edwin accepted an academic scholarship to Morehouse College, majoring in Physics and Industrial Engineering. Morehouse College did not have its own track, so Edwin practiced on nearby high school tracks. He competed mostly in 120-yard hurdles and the 440-yard dash. Edwin attributed his success at running to applying his knowledge of the mechanics of running and lots of stretching. He had a trademark technique, taking a consistent 13 steps between each hurdle instead of the usual 14, causing him to get ahead in the 2nd half of the race as his competitors changed their strides.

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Dayton Sights: Places of Worship

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“When I think of a place of worship, I think of a place where one can sit and be reminded of all the things that are important outside our individual lives. To express spirituality, the architect has to think of the original material of architecture, space and light.” – Richard Meier

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Trains & Trolleys

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The first street car line in Dayton was built by the Dayton Street Railway Company, which was chartered in 1869 with John V. Kreidler as the first superintendent.The line extended from the land of W.P. Huffman on East Third Street, to the land of H.S. Williams on West Third Street. One hour and 20 minutes was required to make the round trip from Western Avenue to Findlay Street.

DSR Trolley Train

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Andrew Walsh & Lost Dayton, Ohio

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Writer, Dayton Historian, Librarian…Andrew Walsh can add one more title to his resume: published author. In his book, Lost Dayton, Ohio, Andrew covers many historical Dayton structures lost to time and urban renewal and revitalization efforts.

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A transplant to Dayton in 2013 from Wisconsin, Andrew became interested in the historical architecture of Dayton as he viewed Dayton from his window at Dayton Towers. Although Andrew no longer lives there, his fascination continues.

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