Introduction, Continued, Page 2 -- Capsule Backgrounds

If one is to go into background -- what some might call "historic events having a significant bearing on modern times" -- the first "significant" event was probably in the ice age. Some geologists think ice covered the land more than once, providing circumstances for such things as the underground water that made it possible for thousands of people to live in the area. Regardless, after the ice was gone for the last time, the rivers began forming and the pre-historic Native Americans arrived. These Native Americans apparently were not the same peoples present in later (historic) times.

Information on the pre-historic peoples can be found by following the SunWatch link on the Introductory first page -- SunWatch is a U. S. National Landmark and is located just to the south of the aviation related Landmarks in the general vicinity of the church and school. It is in a separate grouping of historic sites.

Who were the people? Where did they come from? It's another world to explore....

...For those unfamiliar with the area, it's basic to know that the main river, the Great Miami, is joined by three tributaries in close proximity to each other near the general patch of land involved. The tributaries flow more or less from three different directions, east, north, and west. The "general patch of land involved" is bordered on the north by a tributary from the west called Wolf Creek and on the east by the Great Miami River itself, which having accumulated the tributaries flows in the fourth direction available, south.

In due time, the incorporated city itself became scattered over both banks of all three tributaries and the principle river as well. Logically, that is the type of thing that can, to an extent, create natural boundaries amid the population. Although certainly a part of the city as a whole, this "Dayton Place" refers only to the area west of the Great Miami and south from the creek, hence the term "West Side." It is near the banks of Wolf Creek just a few blocks from the main river where the church and school were eventually built.

Four hundred years elapsed between the time Christopher Columbus reached the new world and the United States was firmly established as a nation as the latter came as a result the American Civil War (which is what established the nation as an indissoluble, permanent union). There is little reason here to dwell on the 400 years, much of it recorded as turmoil as different groups involved themselves in war and treaty while attempting to gain primary authority in the land. Generally speaking "settlement history" is well covered many places; and, anyone interested in matters beyond the few things mentioned below should be able to find additional information with little effort.

Although there is no particular mention of the settlement of the west bank of the Great Miami River, short, very general histories of the community as a whole can be found by clicking on the links for the official websites of both the City of Dayton and Montgomery County on the Introductory first page and then clicking on the history pages there.

"Historic" Native Americans, of course, were the people present on the land when Europeans began arriving; but, there seems to be a point to make that is seldom clearly emphasized about subsequent people. Once Europeans had found the western hemisphere, the people to first wander the continent were much different from later "immigrants."

The first to wander among the "natives" were the likes of explorers, fur traders, and perhaps even some people escaping various unhappy situations elsewhere. Essentially, these first were citizens of foreign countries among the natives, often acting on behalf of foreign governments or foreign interests an ocean away. They might live their lives and die among the natives; but, "home" was likely to be a distant land. They may certainly have had "European habits and ideas"; but, the circumstances they were in had no real relationship to such things.

People who arrived nearer in time to the American Revolutionary War but before the Civil War may have begun life as "American" colonial citizens of foreign countries (therefore, already less attached to some "mother country"), which affiliation was eventually rejected with the Revolutionary War. Any "European habits and ideas" had already often been watered down by colonial life. The people could more easily create circumstances that fit in with their new locations. The loyalty was to the fledgling "American States" which had little real power or authority.

People who arrived after the Civil War not only came from established sometimes technologically advanced nations some of which were powerful empires; but, they arrived in an established nation.

...But, the streets were not paved with gold.

And, lastly, many people who have arrived most recently often have come from established but less technologically advanced societies as refugees seeking safety in a powerful country.

Economic interests might have been motivation in all cases and thoughts of return "home" might have been inherent in all cases; but, the first group were adventurers, the second were more properly relocating settlers, the third "immigrants" or even temporary workers, and the last people seeking permanent safety.

The people then, were firstly from native tribes. Insofar as WHAT "European civilization" arrived after them, there was a scattering of French settlers as well as English here and there as a result of pre-Revolutionary War claims. Later there came Irish, more French, various kinds of Germans, Italians, and assorted Eastern Europeans. All of the people had their own differing customs, beliefs, and other fundamental differences.

Go To: Introduction, Continued, Page 3 -- More Backgrounds