Oakwood is located south of downtown Dayton, Ohio and is recognized for its charm and tradition. This highly walkable city is “urban sophisticated” – from its interesting historic background, to the wide variety of home styles, to its strong sense of community.

History
Oakwood was established as farmland in 1804 by Colonel Robert Patterson. The area was later incorporated into a city in 1908 by Henry Patterson, the founder of the National Cash Register Corporation. In the late 1800s, homes in Oakwood mostly consisted of summer residences and horse estates.

In 1913, following the Great Dayton Flood Great Dayton Flood that ruined much of downtown Dayton, many people began looking to build homes in Oakwood which was 275 feet higher in elevation. During the 1920s and 1930s, Oakwood grew rapidly. A streetcar system easily connected people to destinations. With World War II, Dayton prospered with manufacturing and engineering jobs and Oakwood grew and more homes were constructed. Later in the 1960s and  1970s, larger estates like the Schantz Historical District, were subdivided for the construction of more new homes.

Today, there are now 9,200 residents in Oakwood. One of the most-famous Oakwood residents was Orville Wright, a pioneer in aviation. His home is called Hawthorne Hill and is located at the corner of Harman and Park Avenues.

All Kinds of Home Styles in Oakwood
Oakwood is a community of urban-planned streets with the use of boulevards, median landscaping and community parks that create beautiful streetscape vistas. It is known for its tree-lined streets and homes that are pleasant looking with various styles of architecture. You will find Tudor, Colonial Revival, Gothic Revival, Italian Renaissance, Spanish Eclectic, Mission, Prairie, Craftsman, Swiss Chalets, Queen Anne, Beaux Arts International as well as White Clapboard Colonial houses, among other home styles. Just walk the streets in Oakwood and take in the beautiful diversity of its homes. (See samples of homes below…)

Oakwood has quite a collection of homes on the National Register of Historic Places list. In addition, the Schantz Park Historic District is on the national Register Historic District list. There are several historic landmarks in the city: Long-Romspert House, Wright Memorial Public Library and Hawthorn Hill.

The city takes pride in having beautiful residences and bestows awards to houses that maintain the best standards in aesthetics with the Oakwood Beautification Award Program. Oakwood has strict zoning to maintain its high benchmarks  for appealing home sites – no chain-link fences are permitted and all exterior utility units (such as an air conditioner) must be hidden from street view.

Schantz Park Historic District
The Schantz Park Historic District features wonderful representations of 20th century American architecture. The area was established by Adam Schantz, a German immigrant and successful entrepreneur in the meat packing and brewery businesses. His goal was to convert his 108 acres into the best residential Dayton district away from the noise and pollution of Dayton’s city center. Frederick Law Olmstead (designer of New York’s Central Park) was appointed to landscape Schantz Park. Homes in the Schantz District were planned for people of various economic levels. Specifics were set in place for high standards in house size and set backs from the street. Today, you will find many home styles as you stroll from block to block through this district. Go here to see a map of a self-guided walking tour of this district.  Here are a few samples of homes found in this district:

Hawthorne Hill
Located on Park Avenue, Hawthorne Hill was home to Orville Wright. The home is named after Hawthorne Street where the Wright brothers grew up in the City of Dayton. The home later served as a corporate guest house for the National Cash Register Company (1949-2006) and was then donated to the Wright Family Foundation for preservation. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Learn more about this home here.  Here is a photo of this special home:

Long-Romspert Homestead
The Long-Romspert Homestead is also on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the oldest homes in Oakwood. It was built in 1863 and was owned by one family and their heirs until it was donated to the Oakwood Historical Society in 1985. Here is a photo of this home:

Oakwood is Green
Oakwood loves its trees. The city has an annual Johnny Appleseed Street Planting Project. These new trees are planted in the city right-of-ways.

Sister Cities
Trés chic! Oakwood is proud to go international with two sister cities: Le Vésinet (suburb of Paris, France) and Outremont (Montreal, Canada). The city also has a friendship pact  with Unterhaching (Munich, Germany). Oakwood enjoys exchange programs with these cities and you can follow activities on their Facebook page.

Oakwood Parks and Gardens
The city has many parks and gardens to enjoy. Here is a list of some of them:

• Houk Stream / Friendship Park
  This park has 13.7 acres and was named in honor of the city’s sister cities in France and Canada.
• 

  

  

  The area between Ridgeway and Forrer Road is known as Elizabeth Gardens.

• Loy Gardens
  This half-acres park features beautiful springtime flowers as well as wild flowers.
• Centennial Park
  This park is adjacent to Friendship Park. Its 3.1 acres are maintained in a natural state.
• Francine’s Garden
  This treasure is found within Centennial Park and has a wildflower garden.
• Fairridge Park
  This park has a playground under the old water tower. There are picnic tables and a large green space to enjoy.
• 

  

  

  

  

  Smith Gardens
  The garden began in 1930 with the intentions of having continuous blooms as a private garden. It is now a city park and was named by Ohio Magazine as the “finest tiny public garden in Ohio.” Many residents picnic in the garden and the city hosts concerts there in the summer.

• Shafor Park
  This park is the site of an annual ice cream social. A Michael Bashaw sculpture (called ‘Wings Lift Compounded – Defy the Impossible’) is located here and was created in 2003 to commemorate 100 years of flight. This park hosts an annual Family Fall Festival in October. During warmer months, residents enjoy the outdoor pool or the ground-level fountain. A ball field, half basketball court and tennis courts are found in this park.
• Orchardly Park
  Orchardly Park was originally called Wonderly Park. It features play equipment and a walking area. There is also a splash pad to enjoy in the summer. Sports enthusiasts also enjoy the full basketballs court and a small ball diamond.
• 
• Dogwood Pond at Hills and Dales ParkDogwood Pond at Hills and Dales Park – Although technically in Kettering, this beautiful park is Oakwood near! It’s 63 acres of wonderfulness including beautiful creeks, rolling hills, wildflowers and wetlands.  The historical pond features an Adirondack-style shelter, waterfall and a trail loop around the pond that is part of the 1.4-mile Adirondack Trail. Enjoy viewing a memorial to the Park’s founder: John Patterson.
• Irving Field Park
  Irving Field Park has 6.2 acres and has three soccer/hockey fields.
• Creager Field
  There is a dog park at Creager Field for those with four-legged friends who need some exercise.
• Athletic Field/Track Facility
  The city is currently working on funding for  a new artificial turf athletic field and track.
• Pocket Parks
  There are a few small pocket parks to enjoy in Oakwood.

Wright Memorial Library
This library was established by Orville Wright and opened in 1939. Do not attempt to read the Egyptian hieroglyphics over the front door as they are for decorative purposes only! This popular public space is busy and has meetings rooms available  for civic, education and cultural events. Any Ohio resident is eligible for a library card here. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Oakwood Community Center
The center is near Shafor Park and is home to many community programs. The Gardner Memorial Pool and six tennis courts are located at the center.

Shopping and Dining
Oakwood residents enjoy Dorothy Lane Market, a family-owned grocery store in business since 1948. Residents enjoy shopping  at The Shops of Oakwood on Far Hills. From fashionable clothing to books and restaurants, this shopping area offers many options.

Throughout Oakwood, there are great dining experiences to enjoy: The Pine Club (named one of the USA’s Best Steakhouses this restaurant is technically Oakwood “near”);

Oakwood Club (Voted Best Fine Dining and Dayton’s Best Steak); FlyBoy’s Deli and Central Perc European Cafe (with British-style finger sandwiches and real English tea!) to name a few.

Community Events
Oakwood residents enjoy many things to do throughout the year in their community:

• Ice Cream Social – A cool treat is enjoyed each August.
• That Day in May  – Fun Run/5K/10K run as well as a pancake breakfast, parade and games for Oakwood residents.
• Scarecrow Row – Every fall various groups create scarecrow tableux up and down Shafor Boulevard.
• Holiday Tree Light – Each December, a Christmas tree in Shafor Park is lit and the luminaries line the streets.
• Block parties– Oakwood residents enjoy getting to know their neighbors at various block parties.

Little-Known Facts

• Oakwood’s Department of Safety
  Oakwood’s Department of Safety staff (police, fire and emergency medical services) are cross trained and certified for all jobs. Oakwood is one of only a few U.S. cities to use this type of concept. Safety workers have 24-hour shifts and perform various tasks in eight-hour blocks of time.
• Home Standards
  All homes must be inspected prior to being sold to insure high property maintenance standards are kept up.
• Garbage Day!
  Garbage and recyclables are collected from back yards – no need to put out cans at the curb in Oakwood.
• Runnymede Playhouse and the Oakwood Bomb 
  The Runnymeade Playhouse was part of the Talbott Family estate and first served as a social center for Oakwood residents and was large enough to accommodate over 1,000 people. During World War II, the facility was used by the U.S. Army as the “Unit IV” site for research and production of polonium triggers for the atomic bomb. This research was part of the Dayton Project for the larger Manhattan Project. At the time, Oakwood residents had no idea how the building was being used.  The playhouse was later dismantled in 1949. Read more about the “bomb” in Oakwood here.

Look at homes for sale in Oakwood here.

Photo credits: Sibcy Cline Photography Department