The fascinating history behind Dayton’s Old Courthouse
Discover the rich history of Dayton's Old Court House, a stunning example of Greek Revival architecture completed in 1850.
Dayton’s Old Courthouse: A Historic Gem
This article contains excerpts from pg 81 "On this date in Dayton's History - remember the Gem City One Day at a Time" by Curt Dalton -used with permission.
On the northwest corner of Third and Main sits arguably the most beautiful building in Dayton—the Old Courthouse. Completed in 1850, it stands as a testament to the grandeur of Greek Revival architecture and is one of Dayton’s most significant buildings. The design was patterned after the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens, Greece, which dates to the 5th century BC.
When the construction contract was first signed, the estimated cost to build the courthouse was $63,000. However, the final price exceeded $100,000. It took three years to complete the building, which was the first in Dayton to be equipped with gas lamps and running water.
By 1857, the county commissioners agreed that a larger courthouse was needed. A vote was called for a tax levy to fund the new building. Stung by the high cost of the existing courthouse, which was already considered a relic, the citizens of Dayton voted down the levy.
Rather than return to the voters, the Ohio Legislature passed an act in 1867 authorizing the commissioners to build a new courthouse. Plans were drawn in 1869, but it took until 1884 before the new Montgomery County Courthouse was completed just north of the Old Courthouse on Main Street.
Photo: The original 1850 courthouse (left), and the 1884 courthouse (right) -copyright Curt Dalton
For many years, the Old Courthouse and the 1884 Courthouse stood side by side, encompassing a block of downtown Dayton. These buildings served as the Montgomery County courthouse until the 1960s, when the modern Montgomery County Courthouse was completed at 41 N. Perry Street.
The 1884 courthouse was razed in 1974, and some of its stones now form part of the retaining wall of the Old Courthouse. The area where the 1884 courthouse once stood is now a gathering spot we all know as "Courthouse Square".
But the courthouse's story isn't just about stone and steel—it's also about the powerful voices that have echoed from its steps, including some of America's most famous presidents. The steps of Dayton’s Old Courthouse have hosted many presidential speeches over the years, including Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, James Garfield, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton.
Read more: Dayton’s Old Courthouse: The Steps Where Presidents Are Made.
The Old Courthouse stands as more than bricks and stone—it is a witness to Dayton’s history, its challenges, and its triumphs. Every step, every speech, every story held within its walls reminds us of the enduring spirit of a community that values both its past and its future.
