All Aboard at Six mph
by Roz Young Copyright January 11, 1977
When public transportation began in Dayton in 1876
Application of Ohio for a Grant of Land for the Construction of a Certain Road
by Congress House of Representatives Copyright 1832
On January 16, 1832 Ohio asked the House of Representatives for land to build what would become the National Road.
Banker Worked Hard To Keep D&W On Track
by Roz Young Copyright November 30, 1996
Valentine Winters bought the Dayton and Western interurban line in 1900. The line ran until 1937.
The Bridges of Dayton
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1940
A history of the bridges of Dayton, from 1816 to 1940.
Car Rail Removal
by Fred C. Scharrer Copyright 1942
The city removed street car rails from the streets due to the need for steel during WWII. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1942.
The Day the First Canal Boat Arrived
by Howard Burba Copyright 1930
The glorious day when the canal boat, "Governor Brown", arrived in Dayton on January 25, 1829. The artcle appeared in the Dayton Daily News on November 30, 1930
Ill-Fated Interurban Car Was On Its Inaugural Run
by Roz Young Copyright November 23, 1996
The tragic tale of a Dayton-Xenia Railway car losing its brakes and crashing in 1900.
The Miami & Erie Canal
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1942
How the canal came to Dayton and eventually became Patterson Blvd.
A Modern Highway Replaces a State Canal
by Fred O. Eichelberger Copyright 1940
How the canal that ran through Dayton was turned into Patterson Blvd. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1940
The National Road - There was Nothing Like It
by Jim Casey Copyright 1976
The history of the first interstate highway. This article appeared in the Journal Herald on June 17, 1976
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.
Private Transportation
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1940
How bicycle styles changed over the years from the time Sullivan got one around 1880.
Public Transportation in Dayton, Ohio: From 1870 to the Present
by Harvey I. Hylton Copyright 2007
A very informative look at the history of how people got around in the Gem City, from horses and mules to our modern day trolleys and diesel buses
Reprinted here with permission of the author
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.
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.
Spark of Genius
by Delco Copyright 1949
The story of Delco and its role in the community.
A Steam Carriage on Rails - In A Church!
by Margaret Ann Ahlers Copyright 1961
In 1830 a miniature locomotive and car were exhibited here in the Methodist “meeting house.”
Story of a Shovelful of Dirt
by Howard Burba Copyright 1929
The beginning and the end of the Miami and Erie Canal that ran through the state of Ohio and eventually became Patterson Blvd. in Dayton, The article appeared in the Dayton Daily News on October 27, 1929
The Street Cars of Early Dayton
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright Unknown
The development of streetcars in Dayton.
Streetcars Left Memorabile Tracks
on by Roz Young Copyright December 26, 1992
A short history of Dayton streetcars, going back 140 years.
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.
The Transit Problem
by O. F. Mauch, Copyright 1942
Due to shortages of tires and gasoline, several transit companies, like City Railway and Peoples Transit, were ordered to suspend service to parts of their lines. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1942.
Trolley Coaches and Curb Stops
by R. F. Wurstner Copyright 1940
On April 23, 1933, the first electric trolley coaches ever used in Ohio were placed in operation in Dayton. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1940.
What the Transportation Committee Has Accomplished
by W. F. Switzer Copyright 1942
How the city of Dayton dealt with congestion of automobiles downtown and the beginning of gas rationing due to WWII. This article appeared in the City of Dayton Annual Report for 1942.
The Wilmington and Watervleit Pikes
by Charles F. Sullivan Copyright 1943
Sullivan describes what was on the pikes and the traction cars that ran on them.
What Shall We Do With the Canal?
by A. A. Thomas Copyright 1911
An argument to not repair the Miami Erie Canal that ran through Dayton. The canal is now under Patterson Blvd.
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
