Dayton Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Dayton

Courthouse Square Park is a town square occupying one city block in downtown Dayton, Oregon. The 1.8 acres (0.73 ha) urban park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park contains the historically significant blockhouse or military fortification that was originally located at Fort Yamhill. The Park also contains a picnic shelter, grassy areas shaded by Douglas Firs and native oaks, a basketball court, a playground and public restrooms.

The Montgomery County Courthouse (MCC), built in 1847, is an historic Greek Revival building located on the northwest corner of Third and Main streets in Dayton, Ohio. It is referred to locally as the Old Courthouse. The building, now restored, stands as a tribute to the leaders of old Dayton and to the artisans of the Miami Valley who built it. The Dayton Historical Society, which became The Montgomery County Historical Society, then Dayton History, is housed in the Old Court House. The Courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 26, 1970.

The Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center is located in Dayton and was built in 2003 to serve as Dayton's key performance arts center. This building hosts performances from local, national, and international performing arts groups. Built on the former site of Rike's department store, the building is home to the Dayton Opera and Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra while showing many famous Broadway hits such as Cats and The Phantom of the Opera while still providing local shows such as the Dayton Ballet.

Architect Cesar Pelli created a world-class 2,300-seat theatre that has fiber optic lights in the dome ceiling that depict the Dayton sky as it appeared on the eve before the Wright brothers’ first flight, December 16, 1903. The Winter Garden houses exotic palm trees and a cafe by a large glass-enclosed wall that overlooks downtown Dayton.

Westminster Presbyterian Church is home to a large congregation who enjoy this beautifully decorated sanctuary with a wooden chapel, classroom, children’s room and library. Built in 1926 featuring a prominent Neo-Gothic design by Ralph Adams, highlights of the main hall’s rich interior include intricate stained glass windows, wooden ceiling beams and columns, chandeliers, an illuminated altar and an impressive high ceiling.

The Dayton International Peace Museum is a museum located in Dayton at 208 West Monument Avenue. It is the second peace museum to be created in the United States, with The Peace Museum in Chicago, Illinois being the first.

The Dayton International Peace Museum is a place for children and adults to find positive, nonviolent alternatives to a culture of violence. The Peace Museum serves not only as a traditional museum that displays peace-related objects of permanent value, it also serves as a vibrant activities center for those who seek a community of peace. It features permanent, temporary, and traveling exhibits that highlight the rich history and potential of nonviolent solutions.

Founded in 1830 and moved to its current location in 1879, Christ Episcopal Church was established when Bishop Philander Chase invited Ethan Allen to Ohio to perform religious missionary work. During the Great Flood of 1913, the church’s basement was completely flooded and a full renovation subsequently took place. In November of 1967 the church was open to the public. The building itself is a fine example of the Gothic Revival architectural style, with a stunning tower at the front entrance. This church regularly organizes charity and other events.

The Victoria Theatre is a historic 1,154-seat performing arts venue located in downtown Dayton, Ohio, United States. The Victoria, one of the oldest continually operated theaters on the continent, was opened to the public as the Turner Opera House on New Year's Day, 1866. Its initial offering was the James Sheridan Knowles drama "Virginius, starring Edwin Forrest – a play strongly associated with the famous actor. According to press clippings of that era, the theater was referred to as "the best theater west of Philadelphia".

Dayton Visual Arts Center (DVAC) is a group of artists and art lovers who believe that a vital visuals arts community is essential to the life of the community in Dayton. The center offers gallery talks, art exhibitions, professional development workshops and other programs that support contemporary visual art. Since 1991, DVAC's gallery presents a full schedule of contemporary art exhibitions each year that are free to the public. The exhibitions include the annual Open Members' Show, the ARTtoBUY Holiday Gift Gallery, and a preview exhibition leading up to DVAC's annual art auction fundraiser.

Jane Black took over as DVAC's executive director in 2003. Notable artist members of DVAC are Jud Yalkut, an internationally-known pioneer in the field of video art and Bing Davis. In 2006, acclaimed sculptor, Jun Kaneko, presented his redesign for the opera Madame Butterfly in the gallery. A 2009 exhibit included work by Curtis Mann, a 2010 Whitney Biennial participant and in 2010 the "REACH Across Dayton" exhibit included work by Cuban born artist Eduardo de Soignie and a public art installation by Juan-Si Gonzalez.

The Dayton Memorial Hall is a historic meeting venue on First Street in downtown Dayton, Ohio, United States. Constructed shortly after the turn of the twentieth century, this Beaux-Arts structure is one of many memorial halls statewide from the same time period, and it has been named a historic site. In 1988, the Memorial Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, qualifying both because of its significant architecture and its important place in Dayton's history.

St. Joseph Parish Church, a Roman Catholic church built in 1847, is still open for daily worship. Its ornate façade includes Doric columns, statues and a carved coat of arms. This beautiful sanctuary is an impressive site, boasting a beautiful bell tower.

Second Street Public Market is a hugely popular shopping spot among both tourists and locals. It is the best place to buy fresh local fruits and vegetables, flowers, meats, honey and a wide assortment of tasty treats. Its wine gallery offers an excellent selection of high quality wine and wine accessories. Merchants selling unique handcrafted goods, including jewelry, pottery, vases, famous Alpaca wool clothing, soaps and much more, can be found here as well.

The Oregon Historic District is a neighborhood in Dayton, Ohio. The Oregon District includes one of the earliest surviving combinations of commercial and residential architecture in Dayton. Examples of Dayton’s architectural history from 1820 to 1915 line the brick streets and lanes in this 12 square block area. Styles range from Federal to Queen Anne. Excellent examples of late Victorian commercial and residential architecture illustrate both the entrepreneurial success and the increasing affluence of many Oregon merchants and residents. The district is populated with art galleries, specialty shops, pubs, nightclubs, and coffee houses.