#ArtDeco #Blessed

The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, and by 1879 there was a large list of subscribers right here in Dayton! And, yes, I used the word "list."  The first telephone directory here in Dayton consisted of a single sheet of paper with a list of names.  They didn't even have numbers yet, you just dialed the operator and told them to patch you through to your friend.  The telephone changed the way people communicated with each other; communication was faster, more efficient, and definitely more fun!

You may be wondering why the title says "Art Deco" but I am writing about telephones, well wonder no more!  In the 1930s Dayton was a booming city and telephones were all the rage.  The Ohio Bell Telephone Company decided to build a new building in downtown Dayton.  The Documenting the Built Environment class saw this on our tour of the city.  It is a beautiful building built in high style Art Deco architecture.  It was completed in 1931 and is made of limestone, rose granite, and terra cotta tiles. Here is a postcard and photo:

Postcard from a Mayfield photo

It. Is. Gorgeous.

#ArtDeco 

It features detailed tile-work around the top, low-profile eagle sculptures on the corners of the building, and really snazzy aluminum accents around the windows and main door.  The Art Deco style reflected modern technology of the Machine Age and is characterized by streamlined geometric shapes and bold colors and ornamentation.

The lobby of the building also features impressive Art Deco styling and design elements.  Luckily, the building remains unaltered and is still one of the best examples of high style Art Deco. Some other buildings that represent Art Deco are the Chrysler Building in NYC and the Cincinnati Union Terminal. 

Obviously this building is not as large or grand as the Chrysler Building, but it represented the epitome of high style architecture and modernity when it was constructed and illustrates the importance of Dayton during this time period.  Not every city was fortunate enough to have the best architects in the country design and build such an amazing building. #Blessed.

Postcard photo: Dayton Metro Library, Dayton Remembers. http://content.daytonmetrolibrary.org/cdm/ref/collection/postcards/id/642

The Miami Erie Canal

Over the summer, I did some research on the various canals that went through Warren County.  This made me wonder about the canal and river transportation history of the Dayton area.  Why have a canal with the Miami River so close by?  According to a few sources, the Miami River tended to get very low in the summer.  This hindered steam boat travel, so canals became necessary for travel and shipping.  New York successfully finished the Erie Canal in 1825 and Daytonians took notice.  Work on the Miami Canal began in Middletown that same year and this section was completed in 1828.  This Middletown section connected to a Cincinnati canal that lead to the Ohio River. 

The canal empty near Cincinnati

The next 17 miles to Dayton was completed by 1830, though transportation on this section started before its completion.  The first canal boat was spotted in 1829 and encouraged canal boat building in Dayton, the first boat named The Alpha.  These boats carried farm goods to Cincinnati from Dayton, such as livestock and produce.   Dayton also used this canal to import goods from New York using the Erie Canal, Lake Erie, the Ohio Canal, and the Ohio River, making for a long trip.  Canal boats transported people as well, some with fine decor, food, and live entertainment aboard.

The canal near Lowe Bros. Paint and Delco in Dayton

Originally, the Miami Canal was not intended to connect to Lake Erie and the Erie Canal.  After success in the southern part of the valley, canal expansion began in 1833 to Troy. Contractors continued to extend the canal, reaching Lake Erie in 1845.  By 1855, the 250 mile canal system was booming.  Lake Loramie, Indian Lake, and Grand Lake were created to help maintain canal water levels.  As canals grew in popularity, so did railroads as they were typically cheaper and much faster.  Railroad and road travel decreased canal use significantly, but the 1913 flood ended it completely.  The flood destroyed many of the canal's raised banks and locks.  Today, less than 75 miles remain of the Miami-Erie Canal. 

The canal in 1900 

Sources:

http://www.libraries.wright.edu/special/ddn_archive/2013/03/04/miami-erie-canal/

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/dote/about-transportation-engineering/historical-information/the-cincinnati-subway/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dmlhistory/5333917116

http://touringohio.com/day-trips/miami-erie-canal.html

http://www.daytonhistorybooks.com/miami_river_a_highway.html

http://www.daytonhistorybooks.com/the_miami__erie_canal.html

http://www.daytonhistorybooks.com/page/page/5701112.htm

Dayton Women's Liberation

I was looking through the Dayton Women's Liberation collection in the archives for my research paper and something that stuck out to me in particular was the media coverage of their demonstrations and events.

In going through the newsletters and correspondence, media coverage of DWL's activities is mentioned several times. In an article from the Dayton-Journal Herald from the 1980s detailing the 15 year reunion of DWL one member recalls at a protest being asked by a reporter "Are you wearing a bra?" even after she objected to the question. Another member recounts television news commentary calling the group ". . .braless, makeup-less militant women."

A Dayton Daily News editorial dated to November 5, 1973 objected to the Dayton City Commission approving $15,000 in federal funding to DWL for a Women's Center in Dayton. This place provided counseling, educational literature and medical referrals, among other services to women in Dayton. The author suggests that the same amount be provided for a "Men's Center" which would provide ". . . night care, counseling by sympathetic bartenders, bowling, poker and pool."

It shows the tremendous courage of these local women who went ahead despite asinine mockery and sexist questions from the news media and created an organization by and for women. What was said about them is also telling about the time in which the group was active, though those stereotypes about feminists still exist to this day. The editorial about a "Men's Center" brings to mind the tired argument against Black History Month or Women's History Month and similar occasions to shine a light on under-represented groups. You'll often hear "How come there's no 'White History Month'? or 'Men's History Month?'" Some progress definitely has been made since the 1970s but there are still so many misconceptions about what feminism is and what it stands for that have changed very little in the last 40 years.

Sources: newspaper clippings  in MS-133, Dayton Women's Liberation Records, WSU Special Collections & Archives

Eye Health

Undergoing cataract surgery gave me the opportunity to look back at how eye health has changed local history over time. In the 1800s the town doctor took care of conducting eye exams, only if he found something odd was the patient referred to a specialist in the nearest major city. Even then, the specialist may not be able to do anything. It would take decades before there was a fix for some common eye problems. In my lifetime I have seen progression in correcting eyesight, but have yet to anyone have a fix for sight, besides an eye transplant, similar to the Cochlear device to fix hearing.

Soft contacts that we know today came out in the early 1970s. At this time the lens was only to replace the eyeglasses.  Over the next two decades, they progressed to where one could change the color of the iris. http://www.contactlenses.org/timeline.htm

Lasik was a new procedure which came into popularity during the late 1990s. It was a risky surgery which patients were not guaranteed to have perfect eyesight. A few co-workers and friends had their sight 'fixed' at this time.  When questioned on will it last their lifetime, they replied there was no guarantee they would not need glasses in their later years. The technology for Lasik has changed over the last ten years, making it more affordable. http://visianinfo.com/about-visian-icl/history-of-eye-correction/

 Modern cataract surgery has changed since my grandmother had it done on her eyes. The surgery was done in a hospital with more after care and followup appointments. The technology has advanced since my parents had the procedure completed in the 1990s and 2000s. For them, not only did they have medicinal drops to take, they had to use an ointment before putting the eye patch on for the overnight. http://www.rila.co.uk/issues/free/001/2001/v4n2/p61_65/p61_65.html

What does this have to do with local history? The more advancement in eye health and corrections will have a domino effect.  The less people will need to wear glasses or contacts, the less need there will be for frames, and lenses.  How long will it be before the demise of the eyeglass and contact lens?

March 4, 1927

While researching for my local history project, I came across several news clippings pertaining to Electra C. Doren at the Dayton Metro Library Genealogy Center.  On Friday March 4, 1927, Electra passed away at age 66 after a series of various health complications.  The Dayton Daily News, Dayton Journal, Dayton Herald, and Journal Herald all released obituaries and articles remembering Electra and her impact on the community.  In 1927, these newspapers were not affiliated with one another (yet), though they all seem to favor the Montgomery County Democratic party.  All four newspapers wrote lengthy articles on Electra for days after her death, honoring her life and legacy.  Some of these articles reveal so much about the librarian, activist, teacher, and dear friend to many.  I'll save the details for my paper and presentation, but want to share a few quotes from two Dayton Daily News articles regarding Electra's life and passing.  The poetic nature of these heart-felt words helped me better understand just how much Electra and her work was appreciated by the city of Dayton.  Below are also a few pictures found throughout the articles.  

Sketch with Electra (M) and her sisters, Elizabeth (L) and Alice (R).

"The promontory--dread shape of death, has been rounded by yet another friend; the white sail of her soul has been furled in the safe harbor, and in the going of Electra Doren so well beloved by many; so generous in her friendships there has left us one whose place cannot be filed." 

"From The Window,"  by Penelope Perrill, Dayton Daily News, Saturday March 5, 1927

"If it is true that an institution is the lengthened shadow of one person, then certainly the Dayton Public Library is the shadow of Miss Electra Doren."

"For fifty years she has stood for culture, education and idealism in a community where most of us lived for things."

"Miss Doren has built her own monument, and one that will not crumble."

"Miss Electra Doren,"  Dayton Daily News, Saturday March 5, 1927

Images taken at Electra's funeral on Tuesday March 8, 1927 

I've never really used obituaries and articles related to one's death in my research.  This experience not only allowed me to learn more about Electra, but also taught me more about the information included in newspaper obituaries.  Through reading these articles, I learned that obituaries can be great for learning more about someone's personal affiliations and family life, two areas in which I was lacking solid information.

Sources:

http://www.libraries.wright.edu/special/ddn_archive/2011/03/01/some-background-on-the-dayton-daily-news-archive/

News clippings from The Dayton Metro Library Genealogy Center

The Conover Building

The Conover Building

           The Conover Building was built in 1900 and has been used as a commercial building since its completion. The Conover building is the second skyscraper to be built in Dayton. It stands 13 stories tall and shows a variety of decorative styles on its outer walls. During the 1913 flood many used the building’s height to find safety.

           At One point the corner on which the building stands gained a reputation for being very dangerous not only for traffic but for crime as well, because of this it was called, “The Corner of Chaos.”The crime was blamed on the location of the bus hub nearby. The corner was regularly on the local news for the rampant crime which took place there. Due to this bad publicity the entire City of Dayton received a reputation for being dangerous.  The Dayton Police Department looked at the environment which bread crime to understand why the situation was happening. Arrest data was used to discern the issues with the “Corner of Chaos”. After the reorganization of the bus system crime was lowered.

          In 1975 the Conover Building was admitted to the United States National Registry of Historic Places. It was admitted on architectural merit. The combination of brick, stone and terra cotta provide a unique combination. There are also multiple styles on the exterior of the building. Many of which are sub-styles of Neo-Renaissance Architecture. Neo-Renaissance or Renaissance Revival Architecture is a broad definition of style which covers many nineteenth century architectural revival styles, excluding Grecian or Gothic Revival, which draw inspiration from classic Italian modes.

         The Conover Building is one of Dayton’s landmarks. Displaying an impressive set of architecture as well as a storied past. From disaster survival to the solution to a crime issue this building has been many interesting facets to Dayton’s history.

Sources: http://www.ranker.com/pics/N31511841/conover-building-building-attractions-photo-1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conover_Building

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_Revival_architecture

http://cops.usdoj.gov/html/dispatch/December_2010/Success-in-Dayton.asp

The Grocery Store

Kroger, Safeway, IGA, Albertsons, and Hyvee are the names of a few grocery stores across the United States. The locations of the stores are one main central area where those driving home from work can stop in to pick up a few items during the week or are close to the church on Sundays to do shopping after service. Still thriving are the neighborhood grocery stores. Two local shops which are still going strong are Dots Market, with locations in Kettering and Bellbrook, along with Ella's in Waynesville. When one steps through the door, you are taken back in time where the the majority of the items to purchase are grocery. Some stores still have the older conveyor type check outs where the belt started at the consumer side and ended on the end, almost in the shape of a comma. The local grocer knew and still knows the locals, when time permits, greeting them by name.  When was the last time someone went to the larger grocer and getting the same checker.

Recently these larger, corporate owned stores have been remodeling to outdo each other. This has yet to have any impact on the neighborhood stores mentioned above. The local stores have been there for the neighborhoods and found it difficult to keep their doors open.  While out in Nebraska, as I drove around I found remnants of these stores and asked my mom about the grocery store where her family shopped at in the Havelock district. She spoke about the clerks knowing the names of the families, when one could purchase items on a line of credit and pay it back, they also delivered your order when the need was there.

The military had their own 'neighborhood' grocery store.  The commissary was usually connected with the base exchange with a small strip style mall, creating a one stop shop for those in the service and their families.  I loved going to the commissary. The prices were competitive with those off base, they were clean and the best service of all, was being able to pull up under an overhang and the person who bagged the food would ask what type of car you had, wait until you pulled up, and loaded the bags for you.  My parents were thankful for this when we were stationed in Alaska.