Steele's Hill–Grafton Hill Historic District facts for kids
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Steele's Hill–Grafton Hill Historic District
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The Dayton Masonic Center, a part of the district
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Grand, Plymouth, Forest, and Salem, Dayton, Ohio |
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| Area | 70 acres (28 ha) |
| Built | 1880 |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Bungalow/Craftsman, Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001237 (original) 100009613 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 5, 1986 |
| Boundary increase | December 18, 2023 |
The Steele's Hill–Grafton Hill Historic District, often called Grafton Hill by local people, is a special area in Dayton, Ohio, United States. It's about 18 blocks big and was built a long time ago, in the late 1800s. This district is known for its beautiful old homes and important buildings.
What is a Historic District?
A historic district is a special area that has been officially recognized for its important history and unique buildings. In 1986, Steele's Hill–Grafton Hill was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's considered important to the history of the whole country! It's also a local historic district, which means the city of Dayton also protects its special character.
A Look at Grafton Hill's Past
Even though Grafton Hill is sometimes thought of as part of another area called Dayton View, it has its own unique story. This neighborhood started to grow when people in Dayton began moving out from the city center. They moved north, away from the Miami River.
A big change happened in 1875 when a rich and important person named John Stoddard helped make Grafton Hill even more special. He was a successful businessman who made farm tools. He created a fancy new living area called Belmonte Park within Grafton Hill.
Over time, more important buildings were added to the area. The Dayton Art Institute, which is a museum full of amazing art, and the Dayton Masonic Temple, a grand building for community groups, both helped make the neighborhood feel very important and fancy.
Today, Grafton Hill is known for having many different kinds of people and cultures living there. It's a place where old charm meets new ideas. The stylish feel of Grafton Hill is still strong, and people continue to celebrate its unique history and beauty.
Amazing Architecture
The homes and buildings in the Steele's Hill–Grafton Hill Historic District show off many different building styles. When you walk through the neighborhood, you can see a mix of designs from the past. Some of the styles you might spot include:
- Jacobean style
- Queen Anne style
- Victorian style
- Craftsman style
- Classical Revival style
- Tudor style
Each of these styles has its own special features, making the district a wonderful place to see different kinds of historic architecture.
