Charles Ferguson Sullivan Articles

Charles Ferguson Sullivan was born September 28, 1866, in Dayton. Charles was a contractor, his work including the building of the Third Street Bridge (1904-1905). He also was a rural substitute carrier for the Dayton Post Office from 1912 to 1938. After he retired he spent two years as a curator at Newcom Tavern. It was also around this time that Mr. Sullivan began writing articles on Dayton’s history. Many of the articles here were only first or second drafts, so there are some errors in spelling, grammer and punctuation that were not corrected. DHBO has left these errors in the manuscripts and typed them as originally found. 
Charles died on August 31, 1951. The articles are now part of the Montgomery County Historical Society Collection at Dayton Metro Library.  

The Adventures of a Pioneer
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1942
The great influence the Patterson family had on helping Dayton grow into an industrial city.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Sylvia Kamp

The Atlas Hotel
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright Unknown
This article actually deals more with Ludlow Street and Sullivan selling bricks at the turn of the century.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Terry Ann Nicholson

A Boy is Born Under Difficulties
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1944
A story of how Robert Denman was born in a cold house during the 1913 flood.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Sylvia Kamp

Builders in New Fields
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright Unknown
Sullivan discusses two books written by Charlotte Reeve Conover, both dealing with the forefathers of John H. Patterson.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins

The Bridges of Dayton
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1940
A history of the bridges of Dayton, from 1816 to 1940.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins

Business Changes
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1947
Businesses of old that are no longer around.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer

C. L. Vallandigham
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright Unknown
Clement L. Vallandigham was against the Civil War and publicly said so, which led to his arrest in Dayton in 1863 and banishment to the Confederate South.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins

The Cemeteries of Dayton, Ohio
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1944
A look at some of the earliest cemeteries in the area.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Sylvia Kamp

Change and Decay In All Around I See
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1942
Sullivan tells of the many changes that had taken place in the city from 1866 to 1942.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Amanda Mieskoski

The Covington Pike
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1943
Just about every house that stood on the pike around 1870.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer 

The Dayton Fire Department
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1942
A very nice history of the Dayton Fire Department up to 1942
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins

The Dayton Public Library
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1941
The city's library was housed in various locations before its final home at Third and St. Clair Streets.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Terry Ann Nicholson

Dedication of the Soldiers' Monument
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1941
A personal account of when the Soldiers' Monument was dedicated on Main Street in 1884.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer

Early Schools
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1947
The earliest schools in Dayton, starting with a block house where the Soldiers' Monument now stands.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer

Experiences of Charles F. Sullivan
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1946
Adventures Charles had as a mail carrier for 26 years.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Terry Ann Nicholson

The Floods of Dayton, Ohio
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright Unknown
A tale of several floods that have hit Dayton, including a personal account of the 1913 flood by Sullivan.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins

Fourth of July
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1943
Sullivan remembers how people in his neighborhood celebrated the 4th of July in the early 1870s.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer

Grace Church, Dayton, Ohio
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1943
A history of, and stories about, Grace Church - successor of the old Wesley chapel.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins

History of the Riverdale Churches
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1943
A one-page history of the churches up to the 1940s.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Sylvia Kamp

Isaac Davis Coal & Oil Business - 225 East Fifth Street
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright Unknown
Even though by the title of the article you'd think it would focus on Davis Coal & Oil, it actually deals more with the Durst Milling Company.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer

The Miami & Erie Canal
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1942
How the canal came to Dayton and eventually became Patterson Blvd.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Amanda Mieskoski 

The Newcom Tavern
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1943
The history and various changes made to the tavern over the years
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Sylvia Kamp

North Side of Third From St. Clair
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright Unknown
Sullivan remembers what Third Street looked like 125+ years ago.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Sylvia Kamp

The Original Riverbed
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright Unknown
How the rivers around and through Dayton were straightened in a effort to help control flooding.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Sylvia Kamp

Peculiar Angles
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1941
The article focuses on how certain streets got their names and why they sometimes run at unusual angles.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Terry Ann Nicholson

Political Campaigns
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1941
Old-time elections of Hayes and Garfield, and Sullivan's experience with the voting system in use then.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Sylvia Kamp

Private Transportation
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1940
How bicycle styles changed over the years from the time Sullivan got one around 1880.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Sylvia Kamp

Professor Brooks
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright Unknown
Isaiah Brooks was an unusual man who did his best to cheer up the people around him. 
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins

The Progress of Illumination
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1941
How Dayton went from candles to gas to electricity in order to light up the city.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Terry Ann Nicholson

Public Transportation in the Miami Valley
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1940
Although he does mention the canal, Sullivan's focus in this article is how the railroad came to Dayton and changed the city forever.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer

Roller Skating
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright Unknown
Charles remembers the first skating rinks in Dayton during the 1880s, including the Gebhart Theater.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Sylvia Kamp

Salem and Riverview Pikes
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1943
A great description of the area of Salem Avenue 125+ years ago.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins

 A Ship Wreck on the Raging Canal
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright Unknown
A boat loaded with passengers comes apart during a trip down the canal in 1888.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins

Sixty Years Ago
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1941
Sullivan describes what it was like when he lived in Dayton in 1880.
Transcribed by Terry Ann Nicholson

 South Side of East 3rd Street
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1949
Sullivan remembers what Third Street looked like 125+ years ago.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Sylvia Kamp

The Springfield Pike
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1943
How Springfield Pike has changed somewhat over the years.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Sylvia Kamp

The Street Cars of Early Dayton
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright Unknown
The development of streetcars in Dayton.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer

The Streets of Dayton and Why So Named
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1946
Charles explains the meaning behind the names of dozens of Dayton's streets.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Terry Ann Nicholson

The Telephone
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1941
Who would believe you could talk to someone over a wire in 1880?
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins

Third Street & Eaton Pike
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1943
Sullivan rambles about the various people and businesses were on Third Street and Eaton Pike at the turn of the century, including the Soldiers' Home and the Wright Brothers bicycle shop.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins

Toads and Small Boys
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1944
How two boys turned their home into a haven for toads.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer

The Tractions of Dayton
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright Unknown
Sullivan describes a number of traction companies that emerged in the area at the turn of the century.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins

Watevliet Ave. and Shakertown Pike
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1945
How the two streets got their names.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer

Why Dayton Became a Big City
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1942
According to the author, Dayton made it due to the canal, the railroads and great leaders like John H. Patterson
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins

The Wilmington and Watevliet Pikes
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1943
Sullivan describes what was on the pikes and the traction cars that ran on them.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Sylvia Kamp

Winter Sports
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1941
Ice skating on the rivers and the canal seemed to be the popular thing to do 100+ years ago.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins

Would This Be Allowed Today?
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright Unknown
When horses, pigs and cows were common in downtown Dayton.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Angie Hoschouer

The Y.M.C.A.
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright Unknown
Charles recollects his days at the Y.M.C.A. and how it came into being.
Transcribed by Dayton History Books Online volunteer Betty Zins