See our guide to Dayton History.
Paul Laurence Dunbar and family. Courtesy of Ohio History Connection.
Dayton History
Detail: Dayton (approximately 1900). Dayton Remembers: Lutzenberger Picture Collection, MS 024 0422A, Dayton Metro Library.
City of Dayton's Roots of Racism series
The Roots of Racism series was a partnership between the University of Dayton and the Dayton mayor's office. These three videos look at the history of race and racism in Dayton from the 1700s to the present.
- Part One, by Kelly Bohrer, covers the 1700s to 1900, including Dayton during the Civil War.
- Part Two, by Leslie Picca, explains how Dayton became a segregated city from 1900-1950, with an emphasis on the years between 1920-1940.
- Part Three, by Tiffany Taylor Smith, includes oral histories from elder Daytonians about their experiences from 1950 through today.
Introduced by Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley. Presented by Kelly Bohrer, Director of Community Relations for the School of Engineering (26 minutes).
Introduced by Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley. Presented by Dr. Leslie H. Picca, Professor of Sociology and the Roesch (Endowed) Chair in the Social Sciences (23 minutes).
Introduced by Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley. Presented by Tiffany Taylor-Smith, Assistant Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion (33 minutes).
Dayton neighborhoods now
Facing Dayton: neighborhood narratives by Call Number: F499.D2 F33 2018Publication Date: 2018People's stories from a variety of Dayton neighborhoods.
- Leadership in Building Communities seminar: neighborhood reportsReports include current demographics, maps; evaluations of each community's strengths and challenges; and recommendations for projects. PDFs available online from the Fitz Center for Leadership in Community: Madden Hills; Roosevelt; University Row; Belmont, Eastmont and Hearthstone; Five Oaks; Carillon and Edgemont; Westwood; Walnut Hills; Dayton View; Old North Dayton and McCook Field; and South Park.
- City of Dayton's Planning Division plans, studies and reportsCity planners and residents have created plans for neighborhoods. Information includes demographics, maps, and other data.
