Nestled near the heart of the city, among streets lined with gorgeous homes, sits the Dayton Lane neighborhood. While the actual road, Dayton Lane, plays a major role in the neighborhood’s history, the true boundaries consist of Heaton Street to the north, High Street to the south, S. Erie Blvd to the east, and Martin Luther King Blvd to the west. All that lay within those bounds make up the Dayton Lane neighborhood, one of 17 total that make up the city of Hamilton.
Despite being one of the smallest neighborhoods in Hamilton, Dayton Lane packs a powerful punch when it comes to beauty, engagement, and neighborhood pride. Encompassing only 0.2 square miles, this urban neighborhood held a population of 1,405 at last count in 2017. Urban neighborhoods are considered to be the definition of Hamilton’s City Center. In them, there are bountiful public spaces, institutions, and commercial spaces. Between Campbell Avenue Park, multiple churches, and an even greater number of businesses, Dayton Lane stands as a true urban neighborhood.
As well as being one of the most central neighborhoods in the city, Dayton Lane boasts a beautiful history. Recorded for the first time back in 1835, the area (previously known as Shillito’s Subdivision) remained mostly unpopulated. When nearby land began to industrialize in the late 1800s, Dayton Lane also saw a boom in growth. The founders and managers of those manufacturing plants began to build large homes with beautiful architecture, and even now more than a century later, much of that same architecture remains. In 1985, the 200-structure area known as Dayton Lane was added to The National Register of Historic Places.
Several residents of the neighborhood are passionate about its success and honoring its heritage. Jacob Stone, Public Communication Specialist for the City of Hamilton and a staff liaison for 17Strong, has worked hard as a representative and advocate for Dayton Lane, of which he has been a resident for more than five years.
“Because of my job with the City of Hamilton, I have indirectly been involved with 17Strong since it was formalized as a board,” he said. “The Dayton Lane neighborhood holds two major fundraisers: the May Promenade Home Tour and the Ghost Walk.”
The Ghost Walk takes place every October as an outdoor walk through the streets, complete with a telling of ghost stories throughout the neighborhood. The May Promenade is an event hosted every other year that allows the residents to step back in time and experience what life in the 20th century might have looked like. The streets are closed and many homes are opened up to the public to showcase the old architecture and carefully preserved style. Proceeds from these events help support the Dayton Lane Historic District, a nonprofit organization established to maintain the historic integrity and beauty of the neighborhood.
Many who visit Hamilton are drawn to the streets of Dayton Lane because of its history and beauty. Others are drawn because of its prime placement in the city, just a hop away from downtown restaurants, local shops, and Marcum Park. Regardless of the reason, one thing is certain. Residents of Dayton Lane are some of the most engaged in the city and hold a strong sense of community pride.
Jenny Albinus and her husband Gerhard have been residents of the neighborhood since the tail-end of 1998.
“My husband and I moved to Dayton Lane the weekend between Christmas 1998 and New Year’s Day 1999,” Jenny remembered. “I have always loved old houses and he always loved walking through this neighborhood when he was a Boy Scout.”
After 21 years of living in the area, the Albinus family has built lasting relationships with their neighbors and created strong ties to the area.
“The neighbors not only wave hello to each other, but share good and bad times,” said Jenny. “I now work at the library and know several people living in that neighborhood [German Village].”
Both being historic neighborhoods and close in proximity, the Dayton Lane and German Village neighborhoods have developed a friendly feud, complete with neighborhood bowling tournaments. The two often banter back and forth, all in good fun.
“Of course, we have to joke about who is in the best neighborhood,” Jenny commented. “It’s Dayton Lane.”
The relationship these neighborhoods have is a prime example of what 17Strong stands for as an organization in Hamilton. Neighborhoods willing to engage within each other and amongst each other will catapult Hamilton into a new era.
Unfortunately, due to the health crisis related to Covid-19, the May Promenade originally scheduled for this month has been postponed to next year, but you can still take a stroll down Dayton Lane and admire the beautiful architecture that makes up one of Hamilton’s most historic hotspots.