Exploring the Forgotten MIDGET THEATRE | Dayton Ohio History

[@twistedpixie6972]

That’s the next street over from my job. Thank you for covering things piece of local history

[@tammymullins5240]

I love the videos about Dayton Ohio brings back remembers

[@amyjodean8700]

I live in Dayton..native Daytonian..I had never heard of this place before..thanks for the video!

[@jthomeskillet]

Me either, I've lived my whole life here and never seen not heard bout it

[@kenyatta411]

Me2

[@AndrewStonerock]

could be a cool recording studio as well. maybe a building with space for multiple studio rooms, with the theater being a big live room.

[@zrahbek]

Great video and great research! Interesting history about my favorite city. BTW what street is this on, kinda looks like Wayne Ave. At any rate keep up the good work, looking forward to more obscure Dayton history.

[@jeffbrooks5580]

So the window at 17:04 is just ventilation I've seen it done on older apartments building

[@Lucinda_Jackson]

I’m thinking the roof was open there originally as they were air shafts meant to allow fresh air in and provide for cross ventilation in hot weather.

[@conniebucher1476]

I was born in Dayton Ohio in Montgomery County in 1961. Loved it there and extremely interested in it's history!! My beloved grandma Mabel Gorby lived in a house that was over 100 years old. It's gotta be close to 200 yrs old now. LOVED her 2 story house!!! My family unfortunately decided to Central Florida in 1972. Still here. Last visited her house around 1996. Would love to know if her house is still there. 152 Kirkham St. Dayton Ohio. Love your videos done in Dayton!!! More please!!!!

[@Lucinda_Jackson]

I just looked on Google maps and there is a vacant lot at that address now and if her home was still there, it would now face an interstate highway exchange. Actually, all of Kirkham St is empty now. There is still a house on the street behind that appears to be boarded up (Google map photos could be 10 days or 10 years old so no way to know if it’s even still there). In some views I think I see another boarded up house, but I don’t see it from other angles so I think there are a combo of older and newer street views. 💕

[@gymeni]

Google Streetview is an excellent way to “visit” back home. I, too, was born and raised in Dayton in 1962 and I also now live in FL! I often use Streetview to visit some of my old haunts and to go down streets I used to travel frequently. Check it out!

[@irenecypher8423]

I live in Dayton and found this really interesting. Thank you so much!

[@OnceOccupied]

I’m glad you liked it! We are also local to Dayton and love finding these historical gems 💎!

[@SnEaKeRSkEr]

I'm also a Dayton native.

[@silviajames7150]

I live in Five Oaks Historical Distric in Dayton

[@RichieTrashmouthTozier]

Awesome work,I really enjoy your videos.

[@OnceOccupied]

Thank you🙏🏻

[@debbiem9218]

I love to watch videos of abandoned places and this was a great video. The video was done in great taste and didn't belittle the shorter people. I'm not all that tall myself I'm 4'9". That tile is beautiful a lot of the older stores in Winnipeg, MB, Canada have that tile on their bathroom floors. It is also neat to see all the old paint chipping, I imagine that, that pain probably has some form of lead content in it. I loved the apartment, awe to have lived in the old days!

[@crescentmoonchild4031]

So love the brick walls! Was there a kitchen in the apt? Also maybe that black glue held up wall paper?

[@78bcat]

Imagine if somebody could reach out to Dave Chappelle (and John Legend too), convince him not to build a comedy club in Yellow Springs, but rather buy this and renovate it into a multi-use club. There's so much history on the west side, imagine turning this stretch of 3rd into a rival of the Oregon District....if only the city's political leaders weren't incompetent or concerned only with their own political ambition.

[@nowadd0]

"Bootleg Establishment" I remember a bootleg joint near there called "Butch&Cozzie's"...I wonder if this was the same spot...I never frequented it but heard about it...Great video!

[@Cameed09]

Nicely researched and very interesting! Thank you for being respectful with the terms you used too!

[@OnceOccupied]

Thank you! I’m really glad you enjoyed it I’m trying to put more history end of the videos going forward!

[@SplendoursVale]

Great research and footage! Thank you very much!

[@OnceOccupied]

Thanks Andrew! I’m glad you liked it ✌🏻

[@joshuagibson2520]

I've lived in Dayton all my life. First time of hearing about this.

[@tnt4648]

Same here. I lived there from 1952 until 1973 and Never heard of it !!!

[@Murfs_Niche]

That was so informative & your research made it even more so. Thanks so much for your history narrative & photos as well as the entire video! Happy Holidays to you & yours! 🥳🎄🎁🎉🙋‍♀️💜

[@OnceOccupied]

Thanks Marlene! People have been commenting that they like when I do the research on the people that lived or worked in these places so I’ve been trying to do more of that and actually really enjoying it. I’m glad you liked it 🥰

[@edgregory1]

That family photo at 9:47 shows how conservative the age before the 20s was. No Flappers, no toothy smiles, just quiet dignity.

[@jasonrossi4017]

that window to the closed in alley way was prob used for ventilation like in the old ny city tennments

[@barbfrank917]

Very interesting, I like how you don't waste time, you go right to the area you are talking about, Very sensitive to others. Love the history ❤

[@cecoya]

That would have been the place to go back in the day. Watching an opera for a nickel lol. Have a great day

[@flaminglaughter]

You would think the building would have a few reminders that there were little people there.

[@ConnAndBellaBea]

Loved the video. Bc I’m such a nerd when it comes to genealogy, I found Sherman’s first wife was named Nora. She died during or after having a c section. I saved the document if you would like to have it.

[@gaylewilliamson9183]

Oh if walls could talk!!!stay safe and have a great Christmas💙

[@OnceOccupied]

Will do Gayle! You too ✌🏻😍

[@vdeo260]

Great Video! Just one thing Potterf is pronounced pot terf not pot terif. Sherman is my Great Great Great Grandfather. Funny story my grandmother was a Potterf and married my grandfather who was a Puthoff.

[@OnceOccupied]

That’s awesome!

[@meganmercer5829]

I'm from the area and used to do alot of exploring so it brings me alot of joy to be able to watch your videos thank you ❤❤

[@shirleyhenry892]

nice video. looked up the midget theatre in Curt Daltons book "When Dayton Went to the movies" Dalton refered to the thetre having its own generator and a painting of the original third street bridge.

[@amybannister4021]

Sherrman sure sounded like a great man. What an impressive building. Thank you for the info and for sharing Sherrman's story and lifes work. Stay safe ❤

[@OnceOccupied]

Thanks Amy! I’m glad you enjoyed the video!

[@bg45420]

Dayton has no shortage of old abandoned buildings. Have you ever been by the Lewis and Michael storage building located at Waterson and Cincinnati street? Its still in use but is an interesting place. Thanks for your hard/dangerous work. Have a safe and happy holiday. Hopefully 2021 won't suck.

[@OnceOccupied]

Thanks Brian! We recently explored the British car museum across the street from the storage building. I still need to edit that video 😜. I’ve always been curious about the storage building. If you know anyone they can give us access let me know.

[@bg45420]

@@OnceOccupied i used to go there about once a week about 15 years ago. Now its more like 2 or 3 times a year. They have a few managers in the last few years. I have only met the current one once. The next time I'm down there, I'll mention your channel. The building was built in the teens or twenties. The company was called Green and Green but later became the Sunshine Biscuit Company. Fun fact, Cheeze-its snacks were invented there!

[@KevinFryAdventures]

I am a lifelong Dayton native and never knew about this place. Several of my ancestors lived in the West side (S. Broadway) from the 1860's to the early 21st century. Excellent video! Just subbed.

[@jeansiegel4128]

Thank you. It’s appreciated how much you enjoy history! Be safe as well!

[@tpcdude]

The far left side poster is a R Crumb posters .. hippy era SF .. collectable!

[@OnceOccupied]

No doubt!

[@DreamAuthorityMusic]

Nice quality all round. Thanks for the great video

[@alfredritcher]

Great video guys i love the history of the place

[@celticstar5049]

I loved listening to all the history. A brilliant explore, thank you.

[@rachelgray1576]

You mentioned Preble County. Years ago in HS we would go to “Cry Baby Bridge” of off Lower Gratis? and always passed an abandoned little people house. I wonder if there’s any correlation between the two.

[@OnceOccupied]

There’s a very good chance. Do you remember about where it was because I can look at old historical imagery and property records. Are there any remnants of the house?

[@Grannyknapp]

It’s amazing how much history can be in one building or spot.

[@IratePuffin]

I’d so love to salvage that tile.

[@richdiscoveries]

Just awesome man. Such a beautiful old historic building. I love trying to find additions and original parts like you did in the basement. Those old posters for a trip as well. Also, maybe there was some wood paneling upstairs, that black glue is usually an asbestos based glue, but as you know these places we explore are loaded in the stuff anyways, so it really doesn't matter LOL. I really enjoyed this one, keep up the great work

[@OnceOccupied]

A note to self: Don’t eat the glue 😜. I’m glad you liked it it was one of my favorite videos to edit but it took a while.

[@jenniferdeleon8954]

Thank you so much for the information about the place. I grew up and lived in the Dayton area for most of my life. I’m in South Carolina now and love watching your videos so much!!

[@HAGGISWOOMAN]

Did a little research after watching your video, and found his wedding license from Dayton Ohio, to one Miss Nora E. Brinkley married on October 24th 1901. It also asks if either party was ever married before and both said no. And believe it or not the document also states the word “Midgets” on it right over the the marriage license number. People were not as politically corrected as we try to be now, but all in all he seemed to have a very productive life which is wonderful.

[@CinemaGatesPictures]

It needs to be restored

[@becky2725]

Always look forward to your videos. Its extra exciting because I live in Wala money a,Ohio😀 Thank you for all your hard work! Well done take care And BE Safe Out There!😅😅😅

[@PPINV2012]

Would love to talk with the spirits there to see who's hanging out. I've investigated the Dayton VA, Wright Patt Museum and Hangars, Dayton Women's Club and the Victoria Theatre many times....love Haunted Dayton!

[@aginggracefully1391]

Very interesting! Dayton has so much history. And, West 3rd St. was once the downtown area in Dayton. Parents weren't original Daytonia's, the came by the way if the Air Force in the 60's.

[@jeffbrooks5580]

This is great I've been by this area so many time wondering what these building was since I moved here thanks guy

[@arealone9029]

Too bad that couldn't keep this restored i would love to see the actual theater💔🎥📽 im in Dayton where is this location?

[@OnceOccupied]

It is on West Third. Hopefully it gets restored. A theater would be awesome but I’d be happy with a brewery too 😜

[@FFKits]

The Gilded Age-Edwardian era design was so intricate before the "stamped out", graphic , deco era....and it had such HIGH quality handiwork of the tiles and wood that even the middle class could afford. It makes me :/ because I know what it used to look like. And then the tacky 1960's-90's time period comes along when people then just ripped stuff down and tossed it away without second thought to how valuable it was. Wall coverings were hand painted, often made of all kinds of fabrics, you had specialized guilds make the ceiling patterns that probably were cast then ( assuming because it was a theater ) and yes, I know it can't always last and tastes change, but man SAVE some things so future restoration design can restore. Now we know better, but there was a gap of time there where people just demo'ed and thought nothing of posterity.

[@lindatrombley3]

Built same year as 1913 flood.

[@forgottenfoundations1792]

So taking a look at Woodland Cemetery (where Sherman and his first wife were buried), his first wife's name seems to be Nora, given of all the Potterf entries in the cemetery hers is the only one buried in 1902 (October 29, 1902 to be exact, though that's a Wednesday). More tragically, the grave listing states "Nora *& Infant* Potterf", meaning if this is her poor Sherman also lost a child at the same time :(

[@OofusTwillip]

There was a similar "Midgets Palace" in Montreal, Canada. When I was about 6 years old, we visited it. I'd never met a little person before, and I can still picture the lady who welcomed us. She was just a bit taller than I was, and she had red hair in a shag-cut. She wore a sleeveless purple satin blouse, olive-green trousers, red bead jewellery, and bright red lipstick. It was the 1970s, and she looked so fashionable!

[@angiewanders7272]

What a great historical building. A lot of history in there. Be safe out there!!

[@daveb6252]

Enjoyed the Midget Theater Video! Neat part of history of crummy Dayton, but this was back in the good ole days without all the PC crap. Keep it up!

[@garybrown7044]

anybody out there know where this theatre is located?

[@OnceOccupied]

This is one of the places I don’t mind sharing because the developer is working on fixing it up. It’s on w. third Street in Dayton. You can Google it I don’t remember the exact address.

[@jaymierudy1928]

Opened in 1913. The year of the flood.

[@mizelle4096]

What a gorgeous apartment!

[@Paul-ou1rx]

I'm thinking if you went back to that era and started calling midgets "little people", they would get mad at you. Midget is a much better title.

[@silviaperez7151]

Very Good.

[@ralphbenites1819]

Thay would show.short films.🤣🤣

[@TheF3kids]

Can this place be renovated?

[@OnceOccupied]

Yes and the owners are looking for a business looking to develop the building.

[@kathleencaffrey1716]

The local arts groups might be interested in helping. It would give them a new performance location

[@michaelmcgee8543]

The word midget is just a French word meaning small. This would translate the original name of the theater to The small theater. The truth is this man could have just named it a normal theatrical name, as the strand or the paramount or Alhambra

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

Window to ally for light

[@OnceOccupied]

Out of all the things that I expected that to be for I definitely didn’t consider that. That definitely makes sense though. I appreciate it!

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

@@OnceOccupied I have seen working in simulator type building s 🖖🏼

[@OnceOccupied]

I see these all the time in old buildings and I never knew what they were for. I appreciate you teaching me something new 💪🏻

[@michaelmcgee8543]

Hey, where are the ghost! You bet if the ghost adventure team went up there they put on some fake ghost of the owners.

[@herbertorendorff6323]

the let's boogie poster is art made by robert crumb

[@_dmfd]

I wonder how long it'll be before Nan sells it off to be demolished so we can have another parking lot or overpriced community apartment building

[@TheF3kids]

Mayors in Dayton are highly ceremonial. They have no true power. Unlike big cities.

[@joshuagibson2520]

Nan is a lush...

[@VampFaye]

The Victorian style outlet cover is one of those things that often get overlooked. It's one of those "little touches" that are missing in today's modern interior design. I can only imagine how the rest of the place looked in it's day. Thanks for filming this! I 💜💜💜

[@debbiem9218]

I have to agree with you about the Victorian style outlet cover, I too look for things like that in the videos. I happen to live in an older house that has some things that are unique to the 30s and 40s.

[@rosebudd6317]

I had a friend who was terrified of midget ppl R. I. P my friend

[@OnceOccupied]

That is one odd phobia 🤪

[@crescentmoonchild4031]

Lol I worked with a nurse who was also afraid! She was assigned a young man and she tried but her co worker swapped with her. We would send her videos of different LP activities and sports just to torment her, yea it was mean but funny from her reaction.

[@milktruck9345]

Those bottles had a screw on lid not really old

[@naarahjanemorris3121]

This Building is an historic Building so why is it not Maintained or Refurbished? it Doesn't make any sense it Should be looked after it opened in 1913 isn't that historic enough.

[@kellysaunooke740]

It was once a lovely theater. I am sure Sherman was an interesting man.

[@tabby6681]

Is it haunted?

[@ls6-ss413]

South park flashback

[@ameliatoreson1590]

Did he have any children?

[@becky2725]

Wapak, ohio