Leon Bey, local historian and former Dayton librarian, leads the tours.
“I’ve been doing tours for eight years and am always looking for new themes,” he said. “This year’s theme of the flood was a real winner, and the best for 2013.”
Bey researched the flood downtown for a year, and collected 20 photos to share with tour groups. He starts his flood tours at a fitting site – the old courthouse at Third and Main at Dayton’s center.
The courthouse saw floodwaters reach the roof, and after the water receded, it was selected as the focal point to raise funds for the conservancy district. “
The tour crosses to the Arcade, then travels south on Main St. to the Kuhns Building, around the block and north on Ludlow. Tour groups finish the tour with interesting tidbits about the old Dayton Daily News building at the corner of Fourth and Ludlow, followed by lunch at 12:30 at the Moraine Embassy Grill, a long-time favorite of news staff when they were housed in the old downtown buildings.
“The oldest restaurant in downtown Dayton, the Embassy Grill on S. Ludlow Street, is closing Friday, June 16,” Bey said.
The final tours, which begin at 11 a.m. at the Old Courthouse, are scheduled for Thursdays on May 23, May 30, June 6, and May 13; and on Fridays May 31, June 7, and June 14.
To join a tour, contact Bey at 937-274-4749 for reservations or go to gemcitycirclewalks.wetpaint.com. Walks are $10 per person paying on the walk, and by making advance reservations to grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com. The tour fee does not include lunch.
Private groups can schedule on other weekdays by prior arrangement.
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