Here are some things to know about Louis Traxler and the mansion’s history:
Louis Traxler
Louis Traxler was born in Austria in 1864. His family moved to the U.S. in 1883, and he came to Dayton from Anderson, IN in 1899.
Traxler was a successful businessman. In 1899, he established a mercantile company called the Traxler Dry Goods Company at the corner of Main and Fifth Streets in the Ohmer Building, later known as the United Brethren Building.
An 1899 Dayton Daily News story about the opening of the store said, “The progressive spirit of Mr. Traxler will be appreciated by our people and already his welcome here has been extended and a glance at the great display and elegant consignment of goods assures him a first place in the choice of dry goods establishments in the Gem City.”
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Traxler purchased the property in 1909 and had the home built, staying in the large two-story stone house until 1929, Preservation Dayton records state.
In 1911 dollars, it took $85,000 to build.
The Traxler Company was the first in Dayton to institute a mutual benefit association among its employees. Between 150 and 200 workers took advantage of the (employee benefits.) Through the payment of moderate dues, sick benefits were assured, along with other services.
Traxler was also the first company in Dayton to have a minimum wage scale for women, with no saleswoman in the store making less than $7 per week.
In order for his employees to have more opportunity, Traxler also paid the tuition for young women employees for evening educational or gym classes.
Architectural style and design
The elegant 10,000-square-foot home was built in French Chateauesque-style, the same concept as the storied Biltmore House on the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.
Local historians called it the centerpiece of the Dayton View Historic Conservation Area.
A 1978 Dayton Daily News article about a tour of Dayton View homes said the mansion featured a center hallway with 35-foot high ceilings, a two-story gallery around the interior and walls covered with artworks.
Credit: Lisa Powell
Credit: Lisa Powell
The three-story home included a carriage house on the side, a reading retreat located near the side entry of the home, filled with books, and a parlor once decorated in gold brocade.
In 1979, the Traxler Mansion was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural significance. Forty years later it was added to Preservation Ohio’s list of the state’s most endangered historic sites.
House tours
The Traxler Mansion was part of several historic home tours over the years.
Six homes, including the Traxler Mansion were part of a Dayton View home tour in 1978. At the time, the Traxler Mansion was in the process of a restoration. During that restoration, nine chandeliers, valued at more than $15,000, were stolen. The Traxler Mansion was again on the tour in 1982.
In 1981, the second annual Prison Arts and Crafts preview show was held at the Traxler Mansion. It was said that some people paid to see the preview in part to just see the mansion, which was rarely open to the public.
In 1991, it hosted a designers showcase, benefitting the Dayton Philharmonic Women’s Association. More than three dozen local designers and landscape artists transformed several rooms of the mansion.
Events of the past year
June 1, 2023: Fire-ravaged historic Dayton Traxler mansion sells at second auction
The historic West Dayton mansion ravaged by fire was sold for $41,000 at a sheriff’s auction
The minimum required bid was $38,439.11, the total of taxes owed and court costs, according to the county treasurer’s office.
June 13, 2023: Fire officials close investigation of historic Dayton Traxler mansion blaze
What started the blaze at the early 20th century Louis Traxler Mansion on Yale Avenue in the early morning hours that day “will be formally classified as ‘undetermined,’” according to the Dayton Fire Department.
That ruling is “due to the extent of the damage at the incident site, and lack of other available evidence,” Fire Capt. Brad French said
Aug 31, 2023: Historic Traxler mansion demolished after 2nd fire: ‘danger to life and safety’
The structure was torn down after an unsafe building order was issued, a day following the second blaze, Dayton Fire Department Capt. Brad French said.
The mansion “met the parameters” of city guidelines “related to being a danger to life and safety,” French said.
The order called for it to “be immediately razed,” he added.