Both of the featured homes this week are part of the South Side Historic District, which is a reminder of a past that had a bright and prosperous future. It is a timeline of the formation and growth of a small farming community that is still striving to flourish.

Dayton’s Residential Districts are unique in that they feature several architectural styles and many variations within those styles. These reflect what was popular at the time they were built and also the unique individuals that built them.

This allows us to move through the past as we move through the districts. We can drive or walk through the district and know our place in the settlement of the west. It gives Daytonites a sense of self and place. It gives visitors a window into who we were and are today.

In the two residential historic districts, The Washington Street and the South Side, each home owner will face issues unique to their property. In the case of 402 S. First Street, the biggest challenge was how to add square feet without overpowering the original house. This Queen Anne Victorian had been in the same family for many years. As lifestyles change, the need for a bigger, more open kitchen, a master bedroom and bath on the first floor and a TV/office were part of the wish list of the current members of this family who wished to retire in the home.

As you can see they were able to add to the back of the house in a way that left the character of the original structure intact. This sensitive, creative addition was able to give the owner everything they wanted but also to keep the historic nature of the home for future generations to enjoy.

The second house had been badly abused by enclosing part of the front porch, changing and adding strange doors and general neglect. By opening up the front porch to its original configuration, the bungalow architecture is revealed. Further digging revealed that part of this home was once a barn known as the “wedding barn” for the many weddings held there.

The level of craftsmanship and the superb quality of the materials used make these older structures well worth saving. These homes and the others both in the Districts and scattered throughout Dayton leave a historical legacy for future generations.