Presented by The Oakwood Historical Society
The Oakwood Historical Society, along with Oakwood City Officials, conducted an unveiling ceremony of Oakwood’s first historical marker on Saturday, May 14 in front of the Oakwood City Building, 30 Park Avenue, Oakwood. The event was attended by the sponsors of the first marker, residents John and MJ Gray.
The first historical marker commemorates the 150th anniversary of when the first Oakwood homes were built in an area near the Oakwood City Building on 30 Park Avenue in 1872, and the four men who first envisioned a “Town of Oakwood.”
A video of the unveiling is available here.
The second historical marker commemorates Oakwood’s first free-standing public library. This historical plaque was installed in the sidewalk in front of 45 Park Avenue.
This historical plaque was generously supported by longtime Oakwood resident, Dan Turben.
The third historical marker commemorates the Wine and Pleasure Gardens created by William Kramer in the mid-1800s. The marker was recently installed on a boulder along Kramer Road near the main entrance to the Dayton Country Club.
In 1855, German immigrant William Kramer purchased 60 acres “in a perfectly wild state, never having known the sound of a woodman’s axe” to create Kramer’s Wine & Pleasure Gardens. Kramer planted vineyards, orchards and flowers to “bring good cheer to the thirsty people of the city.”
Kramer’s Gardens proved to be a very popular spot for visitors, who traveled an hour by horseback and buggy from Dayton to enjoy his wine and stroll the beautiful grounds. Most of the original gardens were located on what is now the Dayton Country Club.
This historical plaque was generously supported by The Rotary Club of Oakwood.
A historical marker commemorates Schantz Park Historic District. This historical plaque was installed at the southeast corner of Oakwood Avenue and E. Schantz Avenue.
This historical plaque was generously supported by The Rotary Club of Oakwood.
Oakwood’s fifth historical marker commemorates the Four Mile Tavern, a storied building that dated to the early 1800s. The marker was installed with the assistance of the City of Oakwood in the sidewalk near the corner of Far Hills and Hilltop Avenues.
The Four Mile Tavern served as a place of respite for travelers and a gathering place for those living in the nearby rural area. The tavern was named for the four mile journey from downtown Dayton along Lebanon Pike. It was demolished circa 1912.
This marker is the third historical marker that The Oakwood Historical Society has unveiled thanks to a generous grant from The Rotary Club of Oakwood.
For more information on the Oakwood Historical Society’s Historical Marker program, contact us at info@oakwoodhistory.org.
We also have a Century Home Marker program, in which we validate the history of homes over 100 years old and can then sell you a marker to place on the home.
The Historical Marker Database is a company that tracks historical markers. You can find other organizations' Oakwood historical markers on their site.