The Miami Conservancy District was organized in 1915, in response to the Great Dayton Flood (in 1913). The MCD built levees, straightened the river channel, and built 5 dams to control flooding in the Miami Valley. The Miami Conservancy District was the first major watershed district in the nation. The district and its projects are unusual in that they were funded almost entirely by local tax initiatives.
The small village of Osborn, Ohio had little damage from the flood, but experienced issues from its aftermath. The village was located directly in the path of the new Huffman flood plain. The citizens of Osborn decided not to abandon their home, but instead, decided to move their homes to just outside Fairfield, Ohio. Years later, the two towns merged, and changed their name to Fairborn, Ohio.
The 5 dams built to control flooding are:
- Englewood Dam – Regulates the flow of the Stillwater River into the Great Miami River
- Germantown Dam – Regulates the flow of the Twin Creek into the Great Miami River
- Huffman Dam – Regulates flow of Mad River into Great Miami River
- Lockington Dam – Regulates flow of Loramie Creek into Great Miami River
- Taylorsville Dam – Regulates the Great Miami River
Upcoming Fall Events
- September 11-13: Dayton Greek Festival
- September 12: Taste of the Oregon District
- September 19: Hispanic Heritage Festival
- September 25-27: Dayton Art Institute Oktoberfest
More Unsolved Facts
- January 26, 2009 – Leonard Hatton was shot in the head during what appeared to be a robbery in his home on Farr Avenue.
- July 11, 1893 – 14 year old Anna Worl died in her mother’s arms after being shot by a stray bullet. She was leaning on a broom inside her home, in line with shots fired by Charles Bohes and Frank Engle. Both men were arrested but after investigation it was determined the bullet that struck Anna did not come from their guns. Both men were firing their guns from the east. The bullet came from an unidentified shooter from the West. The shooter has never been identified.
- March 24, 2023 – Destiny Mills was in her apartment when several bullets were fired through her wall and door. Destiny was struck in the chest. Others in the apartment were not injured by any of the bullets. The shooter left the scene before police arrived.
- August 6, 2003 – James “Tony” Gordon was shot while attempting to leave as he was being carjacked. His nephew in the car was not shot.
- May 25, 1992 – Jennifer Causey was stabbed to death and her face was slashed. Her body was left in a junkyard near Orleans and Albany Streets.
- August 9, 1974 – Dalton Smith was shot and killed in a bar after briefly speaking to a man. The man then pulled out a gun, shot Dalton, then fled out the back door.
- February 9, 2008- Heather Smith was last seen with a friend at Sam’s Market on E Third Street. Her body was later discovered in a trash can a half mile from Sam’s Market in April.
Upcoming Events – Summer/Fall 2026
- August 14 – 16: Dayton Germanfest Picnic
- August 14 – 20: Miami County Fair
- August 15-16: Fairborn Sweet Corn Festival
- August 15: Art in the City Dance Pop-up – Dayton Metro Library
- August 15-16: Dayton African American Festival
- August 29-30: Xenia Monster Truck Wars
Beaver’s Mini Mart vs Goliath
The nearest Buc-ee’s is 16 miles from the Beaver’s Mini Mart location in the middle of a city that has been using beaver iconography for decades via school mascots, team logos, business advertisements and more. The small convenience store has no gas pumps, no public bathrooms, and a logo that looks nothing similar.
Many want to help support this small business. Here are a few ways to do so:
- Shop at their store – 1592 Hanes Road, Beavercreek, 45434
- Support their GoFundMe
- Buy Beaver Mini Mart shirts from CincyShirts.com
- Buy Beaver Mini Mart Cookies from The Original Goodie Shop. Stop by their store at 2116 Tremont Center, Upper Arlington, 43221 or call 614-488-8777
- Buy Beaver’s Mini Mart merch from Teepublic
Please note, there is a lot of misinformation going around about the ownership of the Beaver’s Mini Mart. We ask that you do your due dilligence and your own research before forming your opinion, or having a negative reaction to their plight.
Unsolved Facts
- August 17, 1913 – An unidentified man was found in the Miami River with no identification and multiple knife wounds. Police believed he may have been Romanian, but gave no other identifying information.
- December 29, 1989 – Karen Spencer got out of the car along i-275 after an argument with her sister in law. She was last seen walking away from the car. The driver of a red 1982 Datsun was questioned in connection with her disappearance
- January 15, 2023 – Jack Flohre was last seen on Ingram Street. At the time of his disappearance, he was known to struggle with addiction and mental health issues.
- September 7, 1993 – Lamar Dozier was playing video games with friends when he was shot in the stomach and stabbed several times in the chest. He lived for a few weeks before succumbing to hi injuries
The Kettering Tornado
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Gem City’s Most Haunted Podcast
Hosted by Trey Brown, Cameron Cooper, and Avery Lewis, this monthly podcast explores Dayton’s Dark History alongside local authors and paranormal investigators. The series investigates spooky sites, cryptids, and folklore from throughout Dayton. The podcast has included Patterson Homestead, the Dayton Art Institute, and Kettering’s Hills and Dales Tower, among others. You can listen to the full series by checking out Gem City’s Most Haunted WDTN playlist on YouTube. Don’t forget to check out the episode from April 17, 2026 featuring Sara Kaushal!
Happy 4th of July!
Huffman Prairie
Later in 1910, the Wright Brothers established the Wright Company and used Huffman Prairie as their testing ground and exhibition space, and ran their flying school there as well.
Dayton Unknown 