Dayton Memorial Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Memorial Hall
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Front and western side of the hall
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 125 E. First St., Dayton, Ohio |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1907 |
| Architect | William Earl Russ, et al. |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts |
| NRHP reference No. | 88001062 |
| Added to NRHP | July 14, 1988 |
The Dayton Memorial Hall is a historic building in downtown Dayton, Ohio, United States. It was built over 100 years ago. This special building shows off the Beaux-Arts style. It is one of many memorial halls built around the same time in Ohio. Today, it is recognized as an important historic site.
Contents
Discovering Dayton's Memorial Hall
What Does Memorial Hall Look Like?
Memorial Hall is built mostly from brick. It has a strong concrete base and a roof made of ceramic tiles. You can also see parts made of stone and terracotta. The main part of the building, where most activities happen, is two stories tall.
The front of the building has a grand entrance. It looks like a Neoclassical style building. There are tall, paired columns in the Ionic order design. These columns stand at the top of a flight of steps. Smaller sections are on either side of this main entrance. They also make up the sides of the building. Small towers sit on top of the sides. You can enter the main door by climbing the steps. There is also a ramp for easy access on the side.
Why Was Memorial Hall Built?
The entrance area of Memorial Hall is also a special memorial. It has words carved into it that honor local soldiers from the American Civil War. There is also a sculpture that remembers soldiers from the Spanish–American War. Another sculpture in the same area honors those who served in World War I.
In 1902, the Ohio General Assembly passed a new law. This law made it easier for towns to build memorial buildings. For the first time, cities could borrow money to pay for these buildings. Dayton's Memorial Hall was designed by William Earl Russ. It was built in 1907 and officially opened in 1910. It was a typical memorial building for that time. It served as a place for many community events. People gathered there for fun, learning, and cultural activities for many years.
A Special Place in History
In 1988, Memorial Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a very important historic site. It earned this honor for two main reasons. First, its architecture is very special. Second, it played a big part in Dayton's history.
Other memorial halls in Ohio have also received similar recognition. These include buildings in Cincinnati, Greenville, and Lima. All of these buildings are in the Neoclassical style. They were also finished soon after the 1902 law was passed.
