DAYTON SHOOTING: 5 things you should know about the Oregon District

The Oregon District is a neighborhood that is gathering place for the community with its eclectic shops and nightlife.

Here are just a few things you might not have known about this Dayton neighborhood:

In January 1829, Brainard Smith recorded the first Oregon plat. This was made up of 27 building lots bounded by East Fifth, Jackson and sides of East Sixth Street, according to oregondistrict.org.

The neighborhood, now made up of 12 city blocks, is bounded by Fifth Street, Wayne Avenue, Route 35 and Patterson Boulevard.

During the Great Flood of 1913, the Oregon District, which was once part of the Miami-Erie Canal, was submerged underneath 10 feet of water. Because of this, residents began to move out of the area and to higher ground.

The area has been known as the Oregon District for as long as anyone can remember. During a time of revitalization in 1972, the city of Dayton renamed the area the Burns-Jackson Historic District. Just a short while later it was changed to the Oregon Historic District and was placed on the Nation Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Nearly $40 million was invested to expand the Oregon District.

It was announced in March 2016 that two industrial properties are key pieces to expanding the Oregon District into a vibrant new area called Oregon East. One property along Wayne Avenue was bought by Kentucky Developer Cities Property Group, which plans to convert into housing, commercial and restaurant space and other uses.

The other property on McDonough Street will be renovated into office and space geared toward technology companies.

» MORE: $40 million investment planned to extend Oregon District 

One can visit and see the Oregon District in all its glory during First Fridays. On the first Friday of every month, Fifth Street comes alive with art and culture.