Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store, 537-541 Salem Avenue, Dayton

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS OHIO,57-DAYT,9-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

This building is significant for its contribution to the commercial development of the Steele's Hill-Grafton Hill Historic District; a district which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in The district is composed mainly of late nineteenth and early twentieth century residential buildings expressed with a mix of architectural styles. For a description of the Steele's Hill-Grafton Hill Historic District, refer to HABS No. OH-2467. Description: This is a low scale, one story brick building that incorporates some elements of the Art Deco style into its archi- tecture. The main facade is divided into two retail bays which have been extensively altered.

Originally, the building was plain in its architectural detail, but at some point in time was embellished with the use of Art Deco style geometric motifs and fluting located at the piers and a geometrical curve band extending across the main facade at the parapet. Above each of the storefronts is found a large rectangular bay that has been previously blocked off with plywood. The building abuts the adjacent construction at the side facades and has a brick one story addition that extends off of the rear facade. The interior has been extensively altered over the years with the result being the loss of any significant details. History: This commercial building was constructed in during a period when commercial activity along Salem Avenue was expand- ing.

It was built by William Needs as an investment. Mr. Needs was the owner of a furniture company that was located in downtown Dayton. The first tenant into the building was the Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store who occupied one half of the first floor. The company maintained this location until when it succumbed to the competition of the adjacent Kroger Company grocery store. Throughout the years, a variety of small businesses have occupied space within the building. Tenants have included a small restau- rant, gift shop, clothes cleaner, medical balm manufacturing, and stationary store. From the to the a variety of uses were housed that did not remain long within the building. This was a period when the surrounding neighborhood and Salem Avenue was in social and economic transition.

Demolition of the building is required so that the lot can be incorporated into the Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store HABS No. OH-2463 (Page 2) site of a new post office building.

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS OHIO,57-DAYT,9-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Information used to prepare this documentation included the following: Montgomery County Recorder's Office, Title Search. Prosser, Teresa, National Register of Historic Places Inventory- Nomination Form, Grafton Hill Historic District, Sanborn Insurance Map Company, Insurance Map of Dayton, Ohio, Volume 2, and revisions. William's Publishing Company, William's Dayton City Directory, various dates.

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS OHIO,57-DAYT,9-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

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