Dayton, Ohio

Dayton is a city in Montgomery County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. It is the sixth-most populous city in Ohio, with a population of 137,644 at the 2020 census. The Dayton metropolitan area has an estimated 822,000 residents and is the state's fourth-largest metropolitan area. Dayton is located within Ohio's Miami Valley region, 40 miles (64 km) north of Cincinnati and 55 miles (89 km) southwest of Columbus.

Dayton was founded in 1796 along the Great Miami River and named after Jonathan Dayton, a Founding Father. It grew in the 19th century as a canal town and became a center for innovation, most famously as the home of the Wright brothers, who developed the first successful motor-operated airplane.

Today, Dayton is an important logistics hub due to its central location near much of the country's population and manufacturing. The city is home to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, a key center for research and development in aeronautical and astronautical engineering. Other important institutions include the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright State University, and the University of Dayton.

History

Dayton was founded on April 1, 1796, by 12 settlers called the Thompson Party. They traveled from Cincinnati up the Great Miami River and landed where St. Clair Street is today. They found small groups of Native Americans living there. The oldest building still standing is Newcom Tavern, which served many purposes over the years.

Ohio became a state in 1803, and Dayton was incorporated as a village in 1805 and became a city in 1841. It was named after Jonathan Dayton, a captain in the American Revolutionary War who helped write the U.S. Constitution. In 1827, construction began on a canal to connect Dayton with Cincinnati, helping the city grow economically.

Innovation played a big role in Dayton's history. In 1884, John Henry Patterson started the National Cash Register Company, which made the first mechanical cash registers. The Wright brothers, who invented the airplane, were from Dayton, as was engineer Charles F. Kettering. Their inventions helped make Dayton famous for manufacturing and innovation.

Dayton was also important during World War II. The city worked on projects related to developing materials for early atomic bombs and helped build code-breaking machines used to solve German secrets. After the war, many people moved to Dayton for jobs, and the city grew quickly with new homes and roads.

In 1995, the Dayton Agreement was made at nearby Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. This agreement helped end a conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the former Yugoslavia. People in Dayton showed their support, and the city felt proud to be part of this important event.

Since the 2000s, Dayton has been working to grow again. New places like Day Air Ballpark, home of the Dayton Dragons, and the Schuster Center for the arts have helped bring people together. The city continues to change and attract visitors.

Geography

Dayton, Ohio, covers a total area of 56.50 square miles, with 55.65 square miles of land and 0.85 square miles of water. The city experiences hot, humid summers and cold winters, classified as a humid continental climate. Temperatures typically range from 27.5 °F in January to 74.1 °F in July.

Dayton is known for its broad, straight downtown streets, originally designed to accommodate wagons. The city features notable architecture, including the historic Dayton Arcade and two tall buildings: the Kettering Tower and the KeyBank Tower. Dayton includes several historic neighborhoods, each with unique architectural styles. The city's suburbs are home to many communities, each with its own character and history.

Demographics

Dayton, Ohio, had a population of 137,644 as of the 2020 census. The city's population has changed over time, with a peak of 262,332 residents in 1960. Most people in Dayton lived in urban areas, and about a quarter of households had children under 18.

In 2020, the median age was 34.9 years, and about 22% of residents were younger than 18. Many households were led by individuals, and around 16% of housing units were empty. The city's crime rates have changed over the years, with some types of crime decreasing between 2003 and 2009.

Economy

Dayton's economy is strong and important for the state of Ohio. In 2008 and 2009, it was ranked the best medium-sized area in the U.S. for economic growth by Site Selection. The area is also good at creating jobs through exports, ranking 16th in the country. Many big companies have their headquarters in Dayton, including Reynolds and Reynolds, CareSource, LexisNexis, and Kettering Health Network.

The Dayton area is famous for aviation and technology. It is home to important research centers like the National Air and Space Intelligence Center and the Air Force Research Laboratory, both located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The area also has healthcare centers that are known for their high quality, such as Miami Valley Hospital and Kettering Medical Center.

Arts and culture

The Dayton Region is known for its rich arts and culture. It ranked highly in a 2012 survey as a top arts destination for mid-size cities. Dayton is home to the Dayton Art Institute, a major museum for art lovers.

The Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center hosts many performances, including the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Dayton Opera, and Dayton Ballet. Other venues like the Victoria Theatre and the Loft Theatre also offer a variety of shows and performances. Dayton has a long history of theater, with groups like the Kenley Players and the Human Race Theatre Company contributing to its vibrant arts scene.

Dayton is also famous for its annual Vectren Dayton Air Show, one of the largest in the United States, held at the Dayton International Airport. The city has a strong music history, especially in funk and indie genres, with bands like Ohio Players and The Breeders coming from the area. Festivals such as the National Folk Festival and Cityfolk Festival bring many musical talents to the city each year.

Dayton offers many places to explore, including the National Museum of the United States Air Force, which is the largest and oldest military aviation museum in the world. The Dayton Art Institute and the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery are also popular spots for visitors. Historical sites like the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park honor the legacy of the Wright brothers and other local heroes.

Parks and recreation

Dayton was named National Geographic's outdoor adventure capital of the Midwest in 2019. This is thanks to Five Rivers MetroPark and its many trails, green spaces, lakes, and camping areas. The area has a large network of paved trails, perfect for biking and jogging.

Sports

The Dayton area has many sports teams. The Dayton Dragons are a baseball team and have had many sellout games. The University of Dayton and Wright State University have strong basketball teams. Dayton has also been home to several ice hockey teams over the years. The city hosted the first game of what would become the NFL in 1920. There are also many golf courses in the area, and Dayton has a rugby club that plays at Dayton Rugby Grounds.

Government

Main article: Politics of Dayton, Ohio

The Dayton City Commission includes the mayor and four city commissioners. They are all elected by the people for four-year terms. The commission makes decisions about city policies and can create new rules. They also choose a city manager, who helps carry out these policies and manages the city's budget. Dayton was the first big American city to use this style of government in 1913.

Education

Dayton, Ohio, has many schools for children to learn. The city has 34 public schools, like Belmont High, Meadowdale High, and Stivers School for the Arts. There are also more than 35 private schools, such as Archbishop Alter High School and Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School. In addition, there are 33 charter schools, including Dayton Early College Academy.

Dayton is also home to several colleges and universities. The University of Dayton is a private university and has the only law school in the area. Wright State University is a public university with a medical school. Sinclair Community College is one of the largest community colleges in Ohio. Other schools nearby include Antioch College and Central State University.

Media

Main article: Media in Dayton, Ohio

Dayton has one main daily newspaper called The Dayton Daily News, owned by Cox Enterprises. There is also a business newspaper, the Dayton Business Journal, and a community paper that stopped publishing in 2018.

Dayton has many television stations that show shows from big networks like NBC, CBS, ABC, and PBS. There are also 42 radio stations that broadcast in and around the Dayton area.

Transportation

The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (RTA) runs public bus routes in the Dayton area, including some that use electric trolley buses. The city's trolleybus system started in 1933 and is one of the oldest in the United States.

Dayton has Dayton International Airport, which offers flights to many places and is also important for cargo flights. There are also smaller airports nearby for private planes. The city is connected by several major highways, including Interstate 75, Interstate 70, and Interstate 675, making it easy to travel in and out of the area by road.

Sister cities

Dayton has several sister cities around the world. These include Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Augsburg in Germany, Holon in Israel, Monrovia in Liberia, Ōiso in Japan, Rushmoor in England, and Salfit in Palestine. These partnerships help promote friendship and cultural exchange between the cities.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Dayton, Ohio

Dayton, Ohio, has been home to many famous individuals throughout history. Some well-known people from Dayton have made important contributions in fields like entertainment, sports, and science. For a full list of notable individuals from the city, you can visit the list of people from Dayton, Ohio.