Introduction

Belmont Eastmont Hearthstone Community Council is grateful for the Belmont Historical Society for this updated, online version of the original book.  

This book is a compilation of small pieces that fit into the bigger picture of Belmont’s history.  A more comprehensive history of Belmont can be found at the library, on the internet or in the public records.  This book is not intended to be a reference, historical or genealogical piece of work.  Instead, we hope this book allows the curious and the nostalgic to learn a little bit of the people, places and events that comprise Belmont’s past.  Most of all, we wish to preserve the personal stories and memories of individuals who spent part, if not all, of their lives in Belmont. 

Belmont Eastmont Hearthstone Community Council will also like to thank all of the organizations that contributed to this digital humanities project, including Ohio Humanities Council and the Ross and Ruth Downing Family Foundation with Amy Jomantas.  Other partners were part of the public mural connected by QR code to the digital history project including Culture Works--Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, Ohio Arts Council, and Arts Midwest.  In addition to putting the original book material on the web, these funds also helped expand the history to capture information about Native Americans---Indigenous people and also a history of changing demographics and changes over time in Belmont. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special thanks to Joyce Grabill, Stan Zell, Ed Back, John and Lois Fowler, Robyn Smiley, Sandy Frommeyer, Rita Clements, Clarence Jones and Donna Finley for their heartfelt contributions to the original book or this updated version. 

We are grateful for the information and support from Mark Roma – Manager of Belmont Library- Nancy Horblacker at the Main Library and Ruth DeWitt , Reggie Swickard and Kelly Conley for your contributions– you are gems for your patience and expertise in helping to put together this history.

To all of those who have passed our way, thank you for the lasting memories and fun times.

MISSION STATEMENT

The following Mission Statement provides a comprehensive description of the goals and objectives of the Belmont Historical Society:

To document the past and educate interested people in the history of the Belmont area of Dayton, Ohio.

To collect and preserve printed materials, photographs, and oral history.

To provide accessibility to all who wish to examine and study the materials.

To identify and mark historic buildings, sites, and roads.

To disseminate historic information through media and local organizations by sponsoring programs and printed materials.

The Society will cooperate with State and other historical societies to further one another’s goals.