Featured Structure: Hawthorne School

The 113 year old vacant school in McPherson Town Historic District was renovated into a 20 unit housing complex that was completed in January 1998. It was a $1.57 million dollar project funded by federal grants, HOME funds, a city loan, and historic tax credits.

A partnership of the City of Dayton, CityWide Development Corporation, McPherson Town Neighborhood Development Corporation, and Mansur Real Estate Services all worked on the project.

The school, at 226 McDaniel St. was built in 1886 and named after author Nathaniel Hawthorne. It was used as a school until 1974 and then used for years as a center for unwed mothers.

In 1986 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The school was closed in 1987. The city acquired it in 1989 in a land swap with Dayton Public Schools. Over the years, numerous efforts to renovate the red brick building have fallen through until Mansur presented a proposal in 1995.

The city paid for lead paint and asbestos removal and provided a federal block grant. McPherson town and CityWide Development Corporation each own half of the apartment when it was completed.

The apartments are now available and rent between $550 to $950/month. For unit availability, please call 937-224-4116.

For additional information on other structures in McPherson Town, visit the Preservation Dayton web site.

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