Dayton,
Ohio is known as the birthplace of aviation. In their Dayton, Ohio,
bicycle shop Wilbur and Orville Wright, self-trained in the science and art of
aviation, researched and built the world's first power-driven, heavier-than-air
machine capable of free, controlled, and sustained flight. The Wrights perfected
their invention during 1904 and 1905 in their hometown of Dayton before
launching it at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Wilbur and Orville's
original laboratory has been moved to Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan,
but Dayton Aviation Heritage Park with its Wright Brothers Aviation Center and
Wright Cycle Company Building continues to pay tribute to their monumental
achievement.
Another
native son, Paul Laurence Dunbar, is equally honored within the National
Historical Park. This gifted and prolific writer produced a body of work
that included novels, plays, short stories, lyrics, and over 400 published
poems. His writings, which reflected much of the African American experience in
America, contributed to a growing social consciousness and cultural identity for
African Americans in the United States
Many
original buildings still stand in one of the city's first communities, now known
as Dayton’s Oregon Historic District. This 12-block area is bordered by 5th
Street, Wayne Avenue, US 35, and Patterson Boulevard. Christmas tours of the
district take place the first Tuesday and Wednesday evenings of December; Spring
garden tours are available, by reservation, in late May and June.
Dayton
was first surveyed for settlement in November, 1795. Today, Dayton is home
to more than 830 technology companies, to Wright Patterson Air Force Base, and
is known as an educational and cultural center.
Courthouse
Square is the venue for many local events such as concerts and impromptu
entertainment. At 130 Riverside Dr. is the Ohio Korean War Memorial and
Veterans Walkway. Downtown Dayton features Metroparks' RiverScape, an
attractively landscaped park with gardens and reflecting pools. In winter
visitors can skate on an outdoor ice-skating rink, enjoy festive light displays
and other family activities
Dayton
is home to the University of Dayton, known worldwide for its academic
excellence. Ohio’s largest private university has an enrollment of over
10,000 students. Well known alumni include the late columnist Erma Bombeck,
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Chuck Noll, and ESPN anchor Dan Patrick.
The
cultural and creative spirit of the city is apparent in performances of the
Dayton Opera and Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra at the Benjamin and Marian
Shuster Performing Arts Center. The Victoria Theatre presents a Broadway
Series, and dance is offered by Dayton Ballet and the Dayton Contemporary Dance
Company.
Downtown
Dayton is the place to be for winter holiday fun! The excitement begins on
the day after Thanksgiving with the 2005 Grande Illumination on Court House
Square. This is followed by the month-long Dayton Holiday Festival, an
annual celebration within the community for over 30 years. Other Dayton
annual events include the Ohio Folk Festival held in Carillon Historical Park
each May and extremely popular Dayton Vectren Air Show.
Sports
and recreation, shopping and dining, cultural and scientific pursuits are all
features of this city of progress with a down home, friendly atmosphere.
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