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Updated May 20, 2013
Gem City Circle Walking Tours and Programs
Welcome to our 8th year of Gem City Circle
Walks and Programs of downtown Dayton, Ohio, March-November, 2013.
***My newest walk, The Great Dayton Flood Walk of Downtown Dayton will be offered: Next walk *Thursday May 23, 11 a.m.; *Friday, May 24 at 11 a.m. and Friday, May 24, 7 p.m. Then, *May 30 and 31 at 11 a.m. and May 31 at 7 p.m. and *June 4 & 5 and *June 11 & 12 at 11 a.m. and all Fridays of June at 7 p.m.
*Thurday and Friday 11 a.m. walks also stop at the Moraine Embassy Grille for 12:30 p.m. lunch.
Reservations required to (937) 274-4749 or email grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com
***Just added: Friday weekday mornings, 11 a.m., May 17, 24, 31 and June 7 & 14--Great Dayton Flood Walks--meet 11 a.m. downtown and finish with lunch at the venerable Embassy Grill on S. Ludlow Street--the oldest restaurant in downtown Dayton closing forever June 14. Don't miss these new walks, limited dates, Friday 11 a.m. weekdays downtown Dayton plus final lunch at the Moraine Embassy Grill at 12:30 p.m.!
***Walks are $10 per person paying on the walk, and by making advance reservations to grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com or call (937) 274-4749.
*** Upon receiving your reservation I will provide meeting locations. Please make sure there will be a walk for a particular date by making a reservation.
***The walk is about two hours. We'll view vintage photos of the Flood, visit buildings that made it through the Flood, see high water marks of 1913, view architectural details of buildings and see historic sites, and hear first-person accounts of the flood, etc.
***Free parking at downtown Dayton parking meters after 6 p.m. Fridays.
It's not too early to make reservations now. Some walks may already be booked. Others have been booked as private walks by groups and organizations.
*Other walks will be offered starting late May, 2013 on Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. including the Main Street Walk, Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murders Walk, Oregon Arts District Walk, Miami and Erie Canal Walk.
*Upon receiving your walk reservations I will provide meeting locations.
*Private walks are availabe anytime for groups and organizations.
*Oregon Arts District Walk most Sundays at 1 p.m. Make sure to call for reservations or email for a reservation. Must have a minimum of eight reservations to conduct a walk--others may have reserved for a walk so call or email to see if I am near eight persons for a walk.
***In addition any of the five walks can be booked seven days a week, morning, brunch, afternoon or evening for private groups of any size. Great idea as fundraisers for your group.
Help make Dayton America's "Most Walkable City".
*Oregon Arts District Walk
*Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murders Walks
*Walk the Route of the Miami and Erie Canal in Downtown Dayton
*Historic Main Street Walk of Downtown Dayton
*Historic Ludlow Street Walk
Contact Leon Bey, tour leader, for meeting locations and walk reservations: (937) 274-4749 or email Leon at grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com
We do offer walks evenings on First Friday of the month, too, April-Oct.
The leisurely walks are $10 per person, are about two hours with a third hour for a stop at an interesting restaurant for food and/or drin.. Walks utilize stops at park and bus benches. Make sure to call or email for reservations and meeting locations--some walks may be sold out or booked by private groups.
Walks are led by local historian Leon Bey
www.gemcitycirclewalks.wetpaint.com
We also can arrange private group walks for organizations, etc., as fundraisers and special outings.
Interesting programs on local history and travel are also available for bookings for seniors, assisted living, nursing homes, independent living, historical societies, libraries, groups and organizations, etc:
New programs in 2013 available by making arrangements with presenter Leon Bey via email or phone (937) 274-4749:
Remember Promises Made in the Attic: the Great Dayton Flood of 1913 and the Legacy of that Flood featuring vintage photos of the Flood plus first-person accounts of the flood, high water marks, visits to buildings still standing from 1913,photos of the five dams that protect the Miami Valley today under the auspices of the Miami Conservancy District.
Downtown Dayton Buildings that Have Disappeared: a one-hour new Power Point program of great buildings that are no longer standing. Visit another time and place and see what Dayton once had in terms of architecture and history.
Memories of Working at DELCO, GM plants, NCR, etc. Program is a sharing of memories and stories of working at Dayton area manufacturers. With your permission we may audiotape the programs to share with future audiences. Please contact Leon Bey if you plan on presenting or attending this program.
Glorious Maine: an August, 2012 trip to Maine and the last surviving Shaker Community plus lots of lighthouses, lobster restaurants and scencic coastal views.
*These new programs plus 30 other programs are available to be booked for a fee. Contact Leon Bey (937) 274-4749 for these Power Point programs for your group or organization.
*A Walk of the French Quarter of New Orleans;
*Lost Mansions of Downtown Dayton;
*Firsts in Dayton (first bank, church, cemetery, etc.)
*Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murders Walk of Downtown Dayton in Power Point (the popular walk now photographed on Power Point).
Other programs include:
*Abraham Lincoln in Dayton in 1859,
*Annie Oakley and the 150th Anniversary of Her Birth,
*Armchair Tour of Dayton's Historic Main Street
*Armchair Tour of the Oregon Arts District,
*Clement Vallandigham--Lincoln's Arch Foe From Dayton
*Dayton and the Miami Valley and the Civil War
*Dayton's Historic Arcade
*Dayton in the 1950's
*Dayton's Rich Gypsy History
*Famous and Not-So-Famous Inventors of Dayton
*Having a Great Time in Sarasota!
*How Ohio Invented the World
*In the Loop--A Walk of Downtown Chicago
*Miami & Erie Canal in Downtown Dayton
*Movie Palaces and Department Stores of Downtown Dayton in Days Gone By,
*Our Watervliet Ohio Shakers, 1806-1900
*30 Gems of Dayton,
*More Gems of Dayton,
*Even More Gems of Dayton
*Highlights of Small Towns of the Northern Miami Valley
*Walk of Manhattan Neighborhoods
*Walk of New Orleans and the French Quarter Plus Photos of the New & Colorful Brad Pitt Homes in the Devastated Lower Ninth Ward,
*Walk of Downtown San Francisco
*Week in Paris and a Wedding in Provence
Programs are presented by local historian Leon Bey
For program booking fees and reservations contact Leon Bey (937) 274-4749 or email Leon at grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com
Walks:
Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murders
Ludlow Street
Main Street
Oregon Historic Arts District
Miami & Erie Canal
Descriptions of walks:
Ludlow Street Walk:
* the historic Terra Cotta District
* photos and history of the once great RKO Colonial and RKO Keiths Theaters with DDN story about the theater's Wurlitzer Organ
* an update on the new owners of the Dayton Arcade and their evolving plans for restoration of the Grande Dame of downtown Dayton
* history of the outstanding DDN 1909 building
* histories and photos of over 10 long-gone mansions on Ludlow Street including Valentine Winter's mansion where Abraham Lincoln spoke from the front porch Saturday, September 17, 1859
* history of the Algonquin Hotel now known as the Doubletree Hotel
* a peek inside the Dayton Woman's Club
* a tour of the Dayton Int'l Peace Museum plus much more.
We'll walk for an hour then have lunch for an hour at the oldest restaurant downtown (on Saturday we'll go to another restaurant since the oldest restaurant is closed on Saturdays) and walk about another hour and return to the library. Walks are $8 per person payable day of walk. Please make advance reservation to Leon Bey, tour guide, (937) 274-4749 or email grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com Please call or email in advance as some tours may sell out, may be cancelled or booked by private groups.
Don't miss our Walk of the Route of the Miami & Erie Canal. Visit canal buildings still in use, see historic canal photographs, walk the old canal tow path, lunch in the Oregon Arts/Historic District, relive the days of the canal during this, the 180th anniversary year of the opening of the canal to Dayton. For Advance reservations: call/email Leon Bey (937) 274-4749 or grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com
Also available for groups: 1-hour slideshow program The Miami & Erie Canal in Downtown Dayton for those folks who cannot "walk the walk".
Historic Oregon District Walks: about three hours including lunch. Enjoy a leisurely walk and visit the businesses of 5th Street and new art galleries, then walk the charming residential streets of the district ending with a walk down Tecumseh Street. Learn the German history of the Oregon Arts District. See churches built with cornerstones in the German language and now condos and even an Urban Krag! See a new German Restaurant and the best seafood restaurat in town. See magnificently restored homes built during the canal era with detailed historical info as we walk past the homes from the 1830's, 1840's, 1850's, 1860's, etc.
* For group presentation, a special 1-hour slideshow of an Armchair Walk of the Oregon Arts District for "folks who can't walk the walk".
Main Street Walks of Historic Downtown Dayton: three-hour walks including an hour for lunch.
Also available two 1-hour programs: Armchair Show of Downtown Dayton's Historic Main Street and Armchair Show of Movie Palaces and Department Stores of Downtown Dayton of Days Gone By. For folks who cannot "walk the walk".
Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murders Walks of Downtown Dayton. Includes sites and buildings of hauntings, sites of two former cemeteries and locations of famous murders of the 1800's. Plus history and architecture spanning many years and new condos, lofts and condos along with saved and restored facades and buildings. Stop after the walk for refreshments with the group. Walks at 7 p.m. are under two hours. See dates at beginning of website. Now available in 2012 as a proram, too.
All walks including ghost walks are offered by reservations only. For dates available, meeting locations and reservations contact Leon Bey (937) 274-4749 or email Leon at grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com We walk rain or shine!
Come explore the history and revitalization of downtown Dayton.
Walk descriptions:
Main Street Walks of Downtown Dayton .
Our walk starts in the Local History Room of the downtown Dayton Metro Library and proceeds to historic Cooper Park to talk about Dayton's early history and the Miami & Erie Canal.
* Historic Lutzenberger photographs of long-gone buildings from the library's collection are featured n the walk.
* Stunning architecture of historic and newer buildings that have been save/restored/have found new tenants and new uses will be highlighted--we visit interiors of buildings, too.
* See the historic building where the world's first self-starters were manufactured in 1911 for the 1912 Cadillac.
* See the sites of the famous public market houses 1816-1955 where our Watervliet Ohio Shakers sold their goods.
* See the sites and hear stories of the history of the RKO Strand, RKO State, Gebhardt OperaHouse/Park Theater/Lyric Theater/Mayfair Burlesk House, Loew's and Victory theaters.
* See the site where Sinclair College was founded by David Sinclair and the first YMCA.
* See the site of the only downtown location of the Wright Brothers bicycle shop.
* On Friday walks, tour the inside of the spectacular Art Nouveau lobby of a restored building and see the great Urban Window of a downtown church.
* See the site of the first church and graveyard in Dayton.
* See all three sites of Rike's Department Stores.
* See the sites and hear the histories of Elder-Johnston Dept. Store, Adler & Childs Dept. Stores' two locations, the Home Store location and the Arthur Beerman and Jesse Phillips connections.
* See where A. Lincoln spoke and what he talked about for two hours in 1859--this is the 150th Anniversary year of Lincoln's visit to Dayton--special emphasis on this walk on Lincoln's historic visit.
* See new lofts, condos, new apartments, piano bars, restaurants, etc.
* Enjoy a made-from-scratch lunch with the walk group at a terrific local restaurant on Fridays.
Plus much more...
Ludlow Street Walk -- about three hours including an hour for lunch.
Our walk meets at the downtown library. Make sure to call/email for reservations.
* Historic photographs of buildings from the library's collection that are long-gone are featured on the walk.
* Stunning architecture of historic and newer buildings will be highlighted.
* We'll proceed to Dave Hall Plaza on Main Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets.
* See a sculpture tributes to Orville and Wilbur Wright.
* Walk the historic Terra Cotta District and see restored buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Learn the history of our own unique Terra Cotta buildings and the history of the long-gone RKO Keith Theater including photos of the interior and the terra cotta exterior.
* See the site and hear stories of the great vaudeville house, the RKO Colonial Theater, where "talkies" were first screened in Dayton.
* See the site and learn the history of the city's second cemetery.
* See spectaculr historic photos of mansions and where they once stood: mansions of Oscar Reim, David Rike, Valentine and Jonathan Winters, Mrs. Leslie Carter, John Patterson, Julia Patterson Shaw Carnell, Clement Vallandigham, Daniel Mead, E. J. Barney, Phillips, etc.--a mansion on every corner of every intersection of Ludlow Street from 5th Street north to Monument.
* See the site of the terra cotta gem, the RKO Keith's Theater and the history of the famous church on that spot before the theater was built in 1922.
* See the building that was built to look like a bank but is not a bank--the building is on the Natinal Register of Historic Places!
* See the site of Dayton's first high school for Orville Wright and Paul Laurence Dunbar.
* See and hear the history of the Dayton Arcade--five buildings on the Natonal Register of Historic Places and the plans of Friends of the Dayton Arcade to find new uses for the complex of buildings. An Arcade update.
* See the Dayton Bicycle Club building and the site of the $1 million hotel that John Patterson of NCR fame helped build with his wealth. This walk does not duplicate the Main Street Walk. See a part of downtown Dayton that will surprise you! Plus, we'll stop for lunch at the oldest continually operating restaurant in dowtown Dayton. Do you know the name of that restaurant? If not, come on the walk to discover a new place.
Plus much more...
Oregon Historic District: select Fridays and Saturdays.
We start our walk in front of the Excelsior Condos next to Jay's Restaurant on Sixth Street.
* See stunning architecture of homes dating from the 1830's and learn the history of Dayton's first neighborhood/first suburb. Oregon's history dates from the wealth from manufacturing and commerce of the Miami & Erie Canal starting in 1829.
* See the former route of the canal and sites of flour and grist mills.
* See and visit art galleries that have recently opened for business.
* See historic photos of the old firehouse and learn the history of the name Oregon.
* See livery stables and factories that are now restaurants.
* Explore the German history of Oregon starting in 1832 and the many German businesses that thrived in the area.
* See the oldest and second oldest businesses still operating in Oregon dating from the 1930's.
* See the oldest business succesfully operated by a woman for over 30 years in Oregon.
* See the sites of four silent motion picture theaters and one that successfully converted to "talkies".
* We'll walk the charming residential streets and see the Flemish House, Stepladder House, churches converted to condos and other uses. Imagine living in this neighborhood.
* We'll walk historic Tecumseh Street and profile the history of six homes.
* We'll learn the history of three stars of television's West Wing and their connections to Oregon.
* We'll see a vibrant community that is magnificently restored, the safest and most sought after residential location in the city.
Plus much more...make reservatins by phone or email for these popular walks.
Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murder Walks of Downtown Dayton
Don't miss these exciting walks select Fridays and Saturdays of September and October, 2009, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Walks feature stops at sites of numerous hauntings, the two cemeteries of the city and famous locations of murders in the 1800's. We stop for refreshments after the walks. Tour leaders wear black capes and carry lanterns.
Contact Leon Bey (937) 274-4749 or email grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com for dates, meetings locations and reservations--these walks quickly sell out--call/email for resevations. Private group walks available select Fridays and Saturdays and Sundays, too.
Don't miss our newest walk of the Route of the Miami and Erie Canal in Downtown Dayton. We'll visit historic canal buildings, see historic photgraphs of the canal, walk the old tow path of the canal, stop for lunch at an Oregon Arts District restaurant, etc. Celebrate the 180th Anniversary year of the opening of the canal to Dayton which made our city a boomtown with all the industry locating near the canal.
For upcoming walks including date, time and meeting location contact Leon at above phone and email.
Private group walks may be arranged with Leon Bey.
Gem City Circle Walking Tours are researched and led by local history buffs, Leon Bey, retired librarian, grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com, Nancy Roach, retired teacher, nancy.roach@att.net, Curt Dalton, local author and historian, cdalton@woh.rr.com
Come walk with us and see exciting changes in downtown Dayton! See the growth of condos and apartments downtown. Marvel at the Schuster Center for the Philharmonic, Opera and Broadway Road Shows; the excitement of Riverscape and festivals; Fifth Third Field and baseball; the stunningly restored Victoria Theater; The Cannery; the St. Clair Lofts; Performance Place condos at Schuster Center's Performance Place; magnificent exteriors and interiors of downtown churches, the YMCA now occupied as apartment residences; the landing apartments next to the YMCA; the new apartments at the former Ramada Inn on First Street; the Firefly condos; Cooper Park Lofts; Cooper Townhouses; the upscale restaurants and good home cooking of restaurants and taverns in the Oregon District; the first-run movies at the Neon Movies; the wealth of info, books, dvd's and services at Dayton Metro Library at 215 E. Third Street; the promise of the renovation of the Arcade; our stunning 1850 Court House at Third and Main Streets where Lincoln spoke in 1859; living history on every street and street corner; Private Fair Monument; the new Care Source building at Main and Monument; numerous new art galleries in the Oregon Historic District; plus much more. And banks on every corner, too. Plus the Dayton Convention Center and Crown Plaza Hotel and the Doubletree Hotel plus Moraine Embassy Restaurant, Swisher's Restaurant, Citi Lights Restaurant at Schuster and many fast food restaurants.
Programs
We also offer one-hour programs for seniors, other groups and organizations, historical societies, schools, churches, Red Hat Ladies, social groups, civic organizations, etc., on various subjects. Call for costs and available dates for bookings: Leon Bey (937) 274-4749 or email Leon at grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com
Our newest and most popular program now available for bookings.
Celebrate local history by taking a walk with us and enjoy our varIed selection of programs.
Gem City Circle Walking Tours and Programs
Welcome to our 8th year of Gem City Circle
Walks and Programs of downtown Dayton, Ohio, March-November, 2013.
***My newest walk, The Great Dayton Flood Walk of Downtown Dayton will be offered: Next walk *Thursday May 23, 11 a.m.; *Friday, May 24 at 11 a.m. and Friday, May 24, 7 p.m. Then, *May 30 and 31 at 11 a.m. and May 31 at 7 p.m. and *June 4 & 5 and *June 11 & 12 at 11 a.m. and all Fridays of June at 7 p.m.
*Thurday and Friday 11 a.m. walks also stop at the Moraine Embassy Grille for 12:30 p.m. lunch.
Reservations required to (937) 274-4749 or email grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com
***Just added: Friday weekday mornings, 11 a.m., May 17, 24, 31 and June 7 & 14--Great Dayton Flood Walks--meet 11 a.m. downtown and finish with lunch at the venerable Embassy Grill on S. Ludlow Street--the oldest restaurant in downtown Dayton closing forever June 14. Don't miss these new walks, limited dates, Friday 11 a.m. weekdays downtown Dayton plus final lunch at the Moraine Embassy Grill at 12:30 p.m.!
***Walks are $10 per person paying on the walk, and by making advance reservations to grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com or call (937) 274-4749.
*** Upon receiving your reservation I will provide meeting locations. Please make sure there will be a walk for a particular date by making a reservation.
***The walk is about two hours. We'll view vintage photos of the Flood, visit buildings that made it through the Flood, see high water marks of 1913, view architectural details of buildings and see historic sites, and hear first-person accounts of the flood, etc.
***Free parking at downtown Dayton parking meters after 6 p.m. Fridays.
It's not too early to make reservations now. Some walks may already be booked. Others have been booked as private walks by groups and organizations.
*Other walks will be offered starting late May, 2013 on Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. including the Main Street Walk, Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murders Walk, Oregon Arts District Walk, Miami and Erie Canal Walk.
*Upon receiving your walk reservations I will provide meeting locations.
*Private walks are availabe anytime for groups and organizations.
*Oregon Arts District Walk most Sundays at 1 p.m. Make sure to call for reservations or email for a reservation. Must have a minimum of eight reservations to conduct a walk--others may have reserved for a walk so call or email to see if I am near eight persons for a walk.
***In addition any of the five walks can be booked seven days a week, morning, brunch, afternoon or evening for private groups of any size. Great idea as fundraisers for your group.
Help make Dayton America's "Most Walkable City".
*Oregon Arts District Walk
*Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murders Walks
*Walk the Route of the Miami and Erie Canal in Downtown Dayton
*Historic Main Street Walk of Downtown Dayton
*Historic Ludlow Street Walk
Contact Leon Bey, tour leader, for meeting locations and walk reservations: (937) 274-4749 or email Leon at grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com
We do offer walks evenings on First Friday of the month, too, April-Oct.
The leisurely walks are $10 per person, are about two hours with a third hour for a stop at an interesting restaurant for food and/or drin.. Walks utilize stops at park and bus benches. Make sure to call or email for reservations and meeting locations--some walks may be sold out or booked by private groups.
Walks are led by local historian Leon Bey
www.gemcitycirclewalks.wetpaint.com
We also can arrange private group walks for organizations, etc., as fundraisers and special outings.
Interesting programs on local history and travel are also available for bookings for seniors, assisted living, nursing homes, independent living, historical societies, libraries, groups and organizations, etc:
New programs in 2013 available by making arrangements with presenter Leon Bey via email or phone (937) 274-4749:
Remember Promises Made in the Attic: the Great Dayton Flood of 1913 and the Legacy of that Flood featuring vintage photos of the Flood plus first-person accounts of the flood, high water marks, visits to buildings still standing from 1913,photos of the five dams that protect the Miami Valley today under the auspices of the Miami Conservancy District.
Downtown Dayton Buildings that Have Disappeared: a one-hour new Power Point program of great buildings that are no longer standing. Visit another time and place and see what Dayton once had in terms of architecture and history.
Memories of Working at DELCO, GM plants, NCR, etc. Program is a sharing of memories and stories of working at Dayton area manufacturers. With your permission we may audiotape the programs to share with future audiences. Please contact Leon Bey if you plan on presenting or attending this program.
Glorious Maine: an August, 2012 trip to Maine and the last surviving Shaker Community plus lots of lighthouses, lobster restaurants and scencic coastal views.
*These new programs plus 30 other programs are available to be booked for a fee. Contact Leon Bey (937) 274-4749 for these Power Point programs for your group or organization.
*A Walk of the French Quarter of New Orleans;
*Lost Mansions of Downtown Dayton;
*Firsts in Dayton (first bank, church, cemetery, etc.)
*Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murders Walk of Downtown Dayton in Power Point (the popular walk now photographed on Power Point).
Other programs include:
*Abraham Lincoln in Dayton in 1859,
*Annie Oakley and the 150th Anniversary of Her Birth,
*Armchair Tour of Dayton's Historic Main Street
*Armchair Tour of the Oregon Arts District,
*Clement Vallandigham--Lincoln's Arch Foe From Dayton
*Dayton and the Miami Valley and the Civil War
*Dayton's Historic Arcade
*Dayton in the 1950's
*Dayton's Rich Gypsy History
*Famous and Not-So-Famous Inventors of Dayton
*Having a Great Time in Sarasota!
*How Ohio Invented the World
*In the Loop--A Walk of Downtown Chicago
*Miami & Erie Canal in Downtown Dayton
*Movie Palaces and Department Stores of Downtown Dayton in Days Gone By,
*Our Watervliet Ohio Shakers, 1806-1900
*30 Gems of Dayton,
*More Gems of Dayton,
*Even More Gems of Dayton
*Highlights of Small Towns of the Northern Miami Valley
*Walk of Manhattan Neighborhoods
*Walk of New Orleans and the French Quarter Plus Photos of the New & Colorful Brad Pitt Homes in the Devastated Lower Ninth Ward,
*Walk of Downtown San Francisco
*Week in Paris and a Wedding in Provence
Programs are presented by local historian Leon Bey
For program booking fees and reservations contact Leon Bey (937) 274-4749 or email Leon at grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com
Walks:
Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murders
Ludlow Street
Main Street
Oregon Historic Arts District
Miami & Erie Canal
Descriptions of walks:
Ludlow Street Walk:
* the historic Terra Cotta District
* photos and history of the once great RKO Colonial and RKO Keiths Theaters with DDN story about the theater's Wurlitzer Organ
* an update on the new owners of the Dayton Arcade and their evolving plans for restoration of the Grande Dame of downtown Dayton
* history of the outstanding DDN 1909 building
* histories and photos of over 10 long-gone mansions on Ludlow Street including Valentine Winter's mansion where Abraham Lincoln spoke from the front porch Saturday, September 17, 1859
* history of the Algonquin Hotel now known as the Doubletree Hotel
* a peek inside the Dayton Woman's Club
* a tour of the Dayton Int'l Peace Museum plus much more.
We'll walk for an hour then have lunch for an hour at the oldest restaurant downtown (on Saturday we'll go to another restaurant since the oldest restaurant is closed on Saturdays) and walk about another hour and return to the library. Walks are $8 per person payable day of walk. Please make advance reservation to Leon Bey, tour guide, (937) 274-4749 or email grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com Please call or email in advance as some tours may sell out, may be cancelled or booked by private groups.
Don't miss our Walk of the Route of the Miami & Erie Canal. Visit canal buildings still in use, see historic canal photographs, walk the old canal tow path, lunch in the Oregon Arts/Historic District, relive the days of the canal during this, the 180th anniversary year of the opening of the canal to Dayton. For Advance reservations: call/email Leon Bey (937) 274-4749 or grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com
Also available for groups: 1-hour slideshow program The Miami & Erie Canal in Downtown Dayton for those folks who cannot "walk the walk".
Historic Oregon District Walks: about three hours including lunch. Enjoy a leisurely walk and visit the businesses of 5th Street and new art galleries, then walk the charming residential streets of the district ending with a walk down Tecumseh Street. Learn the German history of the Oregon Arts District. See churches built with cornerstones in the German language and now condos and even an Urban Krag! See a new German Restaurant and the best seafood restaurat in town. See magnificently restored homes built during the canal era with detailed historical info as we walk past the homes from the 1830's, 1840's, 1850's, 1860's, etc.
* For group presentation, a special 1-hour slideshow of an Armchair Walk of the Oregon Arts District for "folks who can't walk the walk".
Main Street Walks of Historic Downtown Dayton: three-hour walks including an hour for lunch.
Also available two 1-hour programs: Armchair Show of Downtown Dayton's Historic Main Street and Armchair Show of Movie Palaces and Department Stores of Downtown Dayton of Days Gone By. For folks who cannot "walk the walk".
Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murders Walks of Downtown Dayton. Includes sites and buildings of hauntings, sites of two former cemeteries and locations of famous murders of the 1800's. Plus history and architecture spanning many years and new condos, lofts and condos along with saved and restored facades and buildings. Stop after the walk for refreshments with the group. Walks at 7 p.m. are under two hours. See dates at beginning of website. Now available in 2012 as a proram, too.
All walks including ghost walks are offered by reservations only. For dates available, meeting locations and reservations contact Leon Bey (937) 274-4749 or email Leon at grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com We walk rain or shine!
Come explore the history and revitalization of downtown Dayton.
Walk descriptions:
Main Street Walks of Downtown Dayton .
Our walk starts in the Local History Room of the downtown Dayton Metro Library and proceeds to historic Cooper Park to talk about Dayton's early history and the Miami & Erie Canal.
* Historic Lutzenberger photographs of long-gone buildings from the library's collection are featured n the walk.
* Stunning architecture of historic and newer buildings that have been save/restored/have found new tenants and new uses will be highlighted--we visit interiors of buildings, too.
* See the historic building where the world's first self-starters were manufactured in 1911 for the 1912 Cadillac.
* See the sites of the famous public market houses 1816-1955 where our Watervliet Ohio Shakers sold their goods.
* See the sites and hear stories of the history of the RKO Strand, RKO State, Gebhardt OperaHouse/Park Theater/Lyric Theater/Mayfair Burlesk House, Loew's and Victory theaters.
* See the site where Sinclair College was founded by David Sinclair and the first YMCA.
* See the site of the only downtown location of the Wright Brothers bicycle shop.
* On Friday walks, tour the inside of the spectacular Art Nouveau lobby of a restored building and see the great Urban Window of a downtown church.
* See the site of the first church and graveyard in Dayton.
* See all three sites of Rike's Department Stores.
* See the sites and hear the histories of Elder-Johnston Dept. Store, Adler & Childs Dept. Stores' two locations, the Home Store location and the Arthur Beerman and Jesse Phillips connections.
* See where A. Lincoln spoke and what he talked about for two hours in 1859--this is the 150th Anniversary year of Lincoln's visit to Dayton--special emphasis on this walk on Lincoln's historic visit.
* See new lofts, condos, new apartments, piano bars, restaurants, etc.
* Enjoy a made-from-scratch lunch with the walk group at a terrific local restaurant on Fridays.
Plus much more...
Ludlow Street Walk -- about three hours including an hour for lunch.
Our walk meets at the downtown library. Make sure to call/email for reservations.
* Historic photographs of buildings from the library's collection that are long-gone are featured on the walk.
* Stunning architecture of historic and newer buildings will be highlighted.
* We'll proceed to Dave Hall Plaza on Main Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets.
* See a sculpture tributes to Orville and Wilbur Wright.
* Walk the historic Terra Cotta District and see restored buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Learn the history of our own unique Terra Cotta buildings and the history of the long-gone RKO Keith Theater including photos of the interior and the terra cotta exterior.
* See the site and hear stories of the great vaudeville house, the RKO Colonial Theater, where "talkies" were first screened in Dayton.
* See the site and learn the history of the city's second cemetery.
* See spectaculr historic photos of mansions and where they once stood: mansions of Oscar Reim, David Rike, Valentine and Jonathan Winters, Mrs. Leslie Carter, John Patterson, Julia Patterson Shaw Carnell, Clement Vallandigham, Daniel Mead, E. J. Barney, Phillips, etc.--a mansion on every corner of every intersection of Ludlow Street from 5th Street north to Monument.
* See the site of the terra cotta gem, the RKO Keith's Theater and the history of the famous church on that spot before the theater was built in 1922.
* See the building that was built to look like a bank but is not a bank--the building is on the Natinal Register of Historic Places!
* See the site of Dayton's first high school for Orville Wright and Paul Laurence Dunbar.
* See and hear the history of the Dayton Arcade--five buildings on the Natonal Register of Historic Places and the plans of Friends of the Dayton Arcade to find new uses for the complex of buildings. An Arcade update.
* See the Dayton Bicycle Club building and the site of the $1 million hotel that John Patterson of NCR fame helped build with his wealth. This walk does not duplicate the Main Street Walk. See a part of downtown Dayton that will surprise you! Plus, we'll stop for lunch at the oldest continually operating restaurant in dowtown Dayton. Do you know the name of that restaurant? If not, come on the walk to discover a new place.
Plus much more...
Oregon Historic District: select Fridays and Saturdays.
We start our walk in front of the Excelsior Condos next to Jay's Restaurant on Sixth Street.
* See stunning architecture of homes dating from the 1830's and learn the history of Dayton's first neighborhood/first suburb. Oregon's history dates from the wealth from manufacturing and commerce of the Miami & Erie Canal starting in 1829.
* See the former route of the canal and sites of flour and grist mills.
* See and visit art galleries that have recently opened for business.
* See historic photos of the old firehouse and learn the history of the name Oregon.
* See livery stables and factories that are now restaurants.
* Explore the German history of Oregon starting in 1832 and the many German businesses that thrived in the area.
* See the oldest and second oldest businesses still operating in Oregon dating from the 1930's.
* See the oldest business succesfully operated by a woman for over 30 years in Oregon.
* See the sites of four silent motion picture theaters and one that successfully converted to "talkies".
* We'll walk the charming residential streets and see the Flemish House, Stepladder House, churches converted to condos and other uses. Imagine living in this neighborhood.
* We'll walk historic Tecumseh Street and profile the history of six homes.
* We'll learn the history of three stars of television's West Wing and their connections to Oregon.
* We'll see a vibrant community that is magnificently restored, the safest and most sought after residential location in the city.
Plus much more...make reservatins by phone or email for these popular walks.
Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murder Walks of Downtown Dayton
Don't miss these exciting walks select Fridays and Saturdays of September and October, 2009, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Walks feature stops at sites of numerous hauntings, the two cemeteries of the city and famous locations of murders in the 1800's. We stop for refreshments after the walks. Tour leaders wear black capes and carry lanterns.
Contact Leon Bey (937) 274-4749 or email grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com for dates, meetings locations and reservations--these walks quickly sell out--call/email for resevations. Private group walks available select Fridays and Saturdays and Sundays, too.
Don't miss our newest walk of the Route of the Miami and Erie Canal in Downtown Dayton. We'll visit historic canal buildings, see historic photgraphs of the canal, walk the old tow path of the canal, stop for lunch at an Oregon Arts District restaurant, etc. Celebrate the 180th Anniversary year of the opening of the canal to Dayton which made our city a boomtown with all the industry locating near the canal.
For upcoming walks including date, time and meeting location contact Leon at above phone and email.
Private group walks may be arranged with Leon Bey.
Gem City Circle Walking Tours are researched and led by local history buffs, Leon Bey, retired librarian, grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com, Nancy Roach, retired teacher, nancy.roach@att.net, Curt Dalton, local author and historian, cdalton@woh.rr.com
Come walk with us and see exciting changes in downtown Dayton! See the growth of condos and apartments downtown. Marvel at the Schuster Center for the Philharmonic, Opera and Broadway Road Shows; the excitement of Riverscape and festivals; Fifth Third Field and baseball; the stunningly restored Victoria Theater; The Cannery; the St. Clair Lofts; Performance Place condos at Schuster Center's Performance Place; magnificent exteriors and interiors of downtown churches, the YMCA now occupied as apartment residences; the landing apartments next to the YMCA; the new apartments at the former Ramada Inn on First Street; the Firefly condos; Cooper Park Lofts; Cooper Townhouses; the upscale restaurants and good home cooking of restaurants and taverns in the Oregon District; the first-run movies at the Neon Movies; the wealth of info, books, dvd's and services at Dayton Metro Library at 215 E. Third Street; the promise of the renovation of the Arcade; our stunning 1850 Court House at Third and Main Streets where Lincoln spoke in 1859; living history on every street and street corner; Private Fair Monument; the new Care Source building at Main and Monument; numerous new art galleries in the Oregon Historic District; plus much more. And banks on every corner, too. Plus the Dayton Convention Center and Crown Plaza Hotel and the Doubletree Hotel plus Moraine Embassy Restaurant, Swisher's Restaurant, Citi Lights Restaurant at Schuster and many fast food restaurants.
Programs
We also offer one-hour programs for seniors, other groups and organizations, historical societies, schools, churches, Red Hat Ladies, social groups, civic organizations, etc., on various subjects. Call for costs and available dates for bookings: Leon Bey (937) 274-4749 or email Leon at grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com
Our newest and most popular program now available for bookings.
Celebrate local history by taking a walk with us and enjoy our varIed selection of programs.
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
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| jupeckhome | Payment for walks | 1 | May 28 2009, 8:29 PM EDT by grantsguru | ||
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Thread started: Mar 25 2009, 7:33 AM EDT
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Is one expected to mail a payment when a reservation for a walk is made or do you simply pay when you gather for the walk?
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