The 3 most “endangered” historic buildings in Dayton

The historic Gem City Ice Cream building in Dayton's Wright-Dunbar neighborhood is on Preservation Ohio's 2016 list of Ohio's 11 Most Endangered Sites.

Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

The historic Gem City Ice Cream building in Dayton's Wright-Dunbar neighborhood is on Preservation Ohio's 2016 list of Ohio's 11 Most Endangered Sites.
What to Know
By Amelia Robinson
Jan 31, 2017
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Chunks of Dayton’s history are crumbing before our very eyes.

Two nonprofits hope to draw attention to that fact.

Three Montgomery County buildings deemed historically important are on the 2016 list of Ohio's 16 Most Endangered Sites. 

Members of Preservation Ohio, a statewide nonprofit focused on historic preservation, will tour the endangered sites Saturday with members of Preservation Dayton Inc. , a local group with a similar mission locally.

Below are the most endangered historic buildings in Montgomery County with descriptions from Preservation Ohio. 

Preservation Dayton nominated the local buildings for the Preservation Ohio list to shine a light on their condition and importance, said Monica Snow, that group's second vice president.

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“They are state assets,” she said of the local buildings. “They have significance beyond the Greater Dayton region.”

DAYTON ARCADE, downtown Dayton 

Almost three decades of vacancy has damaged these five interconnecting, still structurally sound buildings constructed between 1902 and 1904. Plans are under way to redevelop the Arcade, but it remains threatened in the meantime.

The Dayton Arcade, which opened in 1904, closed its doors for good in 1991. It was describes as "one of the country's most modern and complete structures of its' kind," in a 1904 Dayton Daily News story. LISA POWELL / STAFF

Credit: Lisa Powell

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Credit: Lisa Powell

>>MORE: Dayton’s crowning jewel

>>MORE: 8 things you probably never know about the Dayton arcade

The Dayton Arcade, which opened in 1904, closed its doors for good in 1991. LISA POWELL / STAFF

Credit: Lisa Powell

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Credit: Lisa Powell

This early photograph of the Dayton Arcade shows shopping stalls and shoppers in the rotunda. The building, which opened in 1904, was designed to house shops and farmers markets on the first floor while offices and apartments were located above. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE

Credit: Handout

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Credit: Handout

FORMER DAYTON DAILY NEWS BUILDING, 45 S. Ludlow St., downtown Dayton

This 1908 building designed by Albert Pretzinger sits partially open to the elements. City officials and local preservation advocates are working to save this majestic building.

>>MORE: City looks to buy part of former Dayton Daily News site

The former Dayton Daily News building at 45 S. Ludlow St.

Credit: Jim Witmer

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Credit: Jim Witmer

The Dayton Daily News building in downtown Dayton at 45 S. Ludlow Street.

Credit: Lisa Powell

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Credit: Lisa Powell

THE GEM CITY ICE CREAM BUILDING, 1005 W. Third St., Dayton's Wright-Dunbar Historic District

The original wooden structure dating from 1886 housed the Wright Brothers' first bicycle shop in 1892. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, however it is currently vacant, deteriorating and recently vandalized.

>> MORE: Dayton Neighborhood Guide - Wright Dunbar

The historic Gem City Ice Cream building in Dayton's Wright-Dunbar neighborhood is on Preservation Ohio's 2016 list of Ohio's 11 Most Endangered Sites.

Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

icon to expand image

Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

The historic Gem City Ice Cream building in Dayton's Wright-Dunbar neighborhood is on Preservation Ohio's 2016 list of Ohio's 11 Most Endangered Sites.

Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

icon to expand image

Credit: Photo: Amelia Robinson

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About the Author

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Community Impact Editor Amelia Robinson is an award-winning columnist, features writer and podcast host. The Ohio University graduates work has appeared in the Dayton Daily News since 2000.