Carrier pigeons, six packs of beer and donated art: 7 quirky facts about area history

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Who knew the best way to exterminate vermin in the 1920s was using an “electric rat and roach paste?”

That quirky tidbit about life in Dayton was among the unknown discoveries we learned in January from the history-related features produced for subscribers on MyDaytonDailyNews.com.

Here are 7 others details we dug up:

Numerous winter storms and frigid temperatures descended over the region during the month of January in 1977. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE

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Shivering at 21 below zero. Brutally cold temperatures, a blizzard and an energy crisis during the month of January in 1977 combined to create havoc across the Miami Valley. Truckers were trapped inside their cabs and emergency vehicles were stuck in snow drifts.

Reynolds and Reynolds moved to Washington and Germantown streets in 1898. It occupied that building for more than 100 years. PHOTO: REYNOLDS AND REYNOLDS

Credit: HANDOUT

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Credit: HANDOUT

$500 helped started records giant Reynolds and Reynolds. In 1866 Lucius D. Reynolds, a former Bellefontaine newspaper publisher, made his way to Dayton with $500 tucked in his pocket. The following year, Ira Reynolds, Lucius' father, joined him and the company became known as Reynolds and Reynolds.

John Glenn spoke during a Women's Issue Forum in 1986 at the Old Post Office. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE

Credit: Dayton Daily News archive

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Credit: Dayton Daily News archive

John Glenn supplied Dayton reporters with a six pack. During one of his many visits to the Miami Valley, Sen. John Glenn brought a six-pack of beer to Dayton reporters in an apparent inside joke.

In 1933 “an exhausted carrier pigeon” was found by Ray Paul outside of his home at 307 Grafton Ave. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE

Credit: Dayton Daily News Archive

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Credit: Dayton Daily News Archive

People used to come across strange animals. It wasn't uncommon to find an exhausted carrier pigeon in your yard in 1933. The best thing to do about it was alert the local newspaper.

The Dayton Art Institute opened in January 1930. DAYTON ART INSTITUTE

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A famous organist fresh from Europe was a highlight of the Dayton Art Institute opening. When the Dayton Art Institute opened its doors in 1930 the galleries were filled with art donated by the community because most of the budget was dedicated to building construction.

The new Dayton Convention and Exhibition Center opened in 1973. This photo was taken before a hotel was built across the street. DAYTON DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE

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'I'm not the brightest guy in the world, but the one thing I can do is add two and two': So said former Dayton Mayor Dave Hall as Dayton's new Convention and Exhibition Center opened in 1973 and optimism was high for the facility.

ajc.com

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Dayton had a home for sewing and squash. The Exposition Hall at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds is one of many historic area buildings with a past. Now known as the "Round House," the eight-sided building was first used to display domestic arts and farm and garden produce.

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