There is no other place in Dayton, Ohio that has the same concept as the one you’d see and experience at Carillon Historical Park. The park offers a view of the history of the city of Dayton through exhibits of artifacts displayed inside historic buildings, houses, and structures. These old buildings and structures are spread in the 65-acre park area. The park has museums that highlight the Great 1913 Flood. Most of all, the Wright Brothers National Museum that showcases the original 1905 Wright Flyer III, is also inside the park. According to the brochure, the park cares for over three million artifacts in 30 historic structures.
And you know what? You only have to pay $10 to see all of them!
Below, I listed all the old buildings and structures that you would see at the Carillon Historical Park. I provided links to the individual posts for more information and photos.
1. Deeds Carillon Tower
One of Dayton’s best-known landmarks, this 151-foot structure with 57 bells plays daily automated musical selections. Read more and see photos.
2. Heritage Center of Dayton Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship
The Heritage Center of Dayton Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship inside the Carillon Historical Park houses an NCR cash register room with 90 Dayton-made machines, the Build for Tomorrow animatronic theater, the original Deeds barn, dozens of exhibits featuring Dayton Ohio’s factories and companies, and the Carousel of Dayton Innovation. Read more and see photos.
3. Old Locust Grove School (c. 1896)
It served as a one-room schoolhouse at the corner of Possum and Bird Roads outside of Springfield, Ohio from 1896 until 1929. Read more and see photos.
4. Watervliet Shaker Building (c. 1832)
The building is the final surviving remnant of the Watervliet Shaker community, which was located in eastern Montgomery and western Greene counties from 1806 to 1900. Read more and see photos.
5. The Pavilion
This picnic shelter was a gift of philanthropists Lee and Betsy Whitney in 2003 in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary.
6. Newcom Tavern (c. 1796)
Considered the oldest standing building in Dayton (c. 1796), it was built by Robert Edgar for Colonel George Newcom. Read more and see photos.
7. William Morris House (c. 1815)
William Morris is a Revolutionary War veteran, who came to Montgomery County in 1806. He bought a 20-acre farm near Centerville in 1815 and moved into this house with his family. Read more and see photos.
8. Hetzel Summer Kitchen (c. 1817)
Peter Hetzel, his wife Catherine, and their five children lived in this small, white, wooded frame building for about a year. Read more and see photos.
9. Newcom House (c. 1841)
The Greek-revival-styled Newcom House was built by Dayton settler George Newcom. Read more and see photos.
10. Deeds Barn Replica
The Deeds Barn Replica houses exhibits about the lives and work of acclaimed inventors, Charles F. Kettering and Colonel Edward A. Deeds. Read more and see photos.
11. Deeds Plaza and Old River Park Swimming Pool Light Tower (1933)
The light tower was a distinctive feature of one of the largest swimming pools in the midwest, located at NCR’s employee recreation facility, Old River Park. Old River was the brainchild of Colonel Edward A. Deeds and was designed by the famous Olmsted Brothers landscape architects.
12. Sugar Camp and WAVES Cabin 22 (1934)
The 1934 Sugar Camp and WAVES Cabin 22 was one of 60 constructed as living quarters for cash register salesmen while they were in Dayton attending training sessions. Read more and see photos.
13. Corliss Engine Building (1902)
Corliss Engine that provided the National Cash Register Company electrical power and steam heat from 1902 to 1948. Read more and see photos.
14. The Print Shop (1930)
A working 1930s printing office with period equipment. It interprets an era when Dayton was home to 77 printing companies. Read more and see photos.
15. Sun Oil Station (1924)
With a pagoda-style roof and blue and yellow color scheme, Sun Oil or Sunoco, was among the first companies to standardize the look of its service. Read more and see photos.
16. Dayton Sales Building
In the early 20th century, there were as many as 14 automobile manufacturers in Dayton. Read more and see photos.
17. The Great 1913 Dayton Flooding
On the morning of March 25, 1913, the citizens of Dayton, Ohio were awaken by the sounds of factory whistles blowing and church bells ringing amid the heavy rains. Read more and see photos.
18. Watchtower and Miller Shelter
Served Dayton as a railroad watchtower from 1907 to 1976 on the corner of West Fifth and Broadway Streets. An attendant manually operated railroad crossing gates from inside the tower. The shelter was dedicated to 40-year Park employee, Lloyd Miller. Read more and see photos.
19. Bowling Green Station (1894)
By the 1890s, the railroad was the major transportation link uniting the nation. While cities like Dayton has large union stations, small towns used smaller depots like this one. There were hundreds of these stations throughout Ohio. Read more and see photos.
20. Carillon Park Rail and Steam Society
Operates scale trains on scheduled Saturdays and during special events.
21. Callahan Building Clock (c. 1919)
This clock atop the Brethen Tower has been one of Dayton, Ohio’s most well known landmarks since 1919. Read more and see photos.
22. Dayton Cyclery
By 1900, there were over 1,000 bicycle manufacturers in the United States, including Dayton’s own Wright Brothers. Read more and see photos.
23. James Dicke Family Transportation Center
See historic public transportation collection: the 1835 John Quincy Adams, 1903 Summer Trolley, 1904 Kuhlman Interurban. Read more and see photos.
24. Morrison Iron Bridge (c. 1881)
Built in Dayton by Columbia Bridge Works Founder David Morrison, this bridge once spanned Tom’s Run on Gratis Road near Farmersville, Ohio. Read more and see photos.
25. Miami and Erie Canal Lock No 17 (c. 1833)
Located in the original canal bed dug between 1825 and 1829 running through the Park. The lock was first located six miles north of Dayton; while the stones are original, the gates are reproductions. Read more and see photos.
26. Smith Covered Bridge (c. 1870)
It utilizes a series of elongated triangular frames known as the Warren truss system. Read more and see photos.
27. Canal Superintendent’s Office (c. 1895)
Used for collecting canal fees, located between Second and Third Streets in downtown Dayton.
28. Wright Brothers National Museum
The Wright Brothers National Museum and Aviation Center is part of Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. It houses the original 1905 Wright Flyer III. Read more and see photos.
29. Gristmill (1818)
In 1800s, water-powered mills were a common sight. Mills ground corn and wheat into flour. By 1823, there were 50 gristmills along the Miami River, 11 in Montgomery County alone.
30. Glacial Slide and Moraine Exploration Area
Allows the young (and young at heart) to travel down a 180-foot long tube slide and try their hands at working in a simulated archaeological dig site.
31. Marie Aull Sculpture Garden
The garden pays tribute to nationally recognized conservator Marie Sturwold Aull (1897-2002). In 1957, Aull founded Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm north of Dayton, the Midwest’s first National Audubon Society nature center.
32. History of Hill Interpretative Center
It is all about the story of how the Carillon Historical Park came about. It also includes geological history, use by the prehistoric Hopewell people, and role in the Miami and Erie Canal.
33. Yeck Plaza
Gateway to the Park’s History on the Hill trail system.
34. Culps Cafe
Reminiscent of the old Culp’s Cafeteria located in the downtown Dayton.
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