Visitors enjoy a rest on the barrack porches, nearby ice cream saloons offered cool treats on hot summer days.

Alligator quarters, a local businessman donated the original alligators in the early 1870's.

Alligator Pond, the pond was heated using steam lines from the conservatory.

Baby Alligators
(Courtesy of Wayne County Historical Society)

Alligator Lake

Lakeside Vista

A large crowd enters Memorial Hall to see a performance on July 4, 1891. Memorial Hall had seating for 1,500.

Flag Battery, Memorial Hall, and Home Chapel
(Property of the Montgomery County Historical Society)

Soldiers in Formation
(Property of the Montgomery County Historical Society)

The stage backdrop, Memorial Hall

Interior of the Hospitality Room, the Home Band is in the background.

The cool shade of the Home Hotel porch offered weary visitors a welcome respite from the day's activities.

The Deer Park was located in the southeast portion of our campus. A veteran deer keeper took care of 50 to 60 deer. The menagerie also included elk and a trained bear.

Cyclorama, special lighting and the use of cutouts gave the two-dimensional canvas of the battle a three-dimensional appearance from the viewer's perspective.

Battle of Gettysburg Cyclorama across from the Dayton Soldiers Home
(Property of the Montgomery County Historical Society)

Posing at the Cannon

Numerous cannons were located throughout the grounds. This photograph of a visitor was taken on September 14, 1919. Home Hotel is in the background.

Man standing on Cannon, September 14, 1919

A fine fountain named the Water Waifs greeted visitors at the conservatory.

Bicycling by the National Soldiers Home
(Property of the Montgomery County Historical Society)

Archer, 1888 National Archery Association Event
(Property of the Montgomery County Historical Society)

Archers, 1888 National Archery Association Event
(Property of the Montgomery County Historical Society)

Archers, 1888 National Archery Association Event
(Property of the Montgomery County Historical Society)

Normal Flag Battalion May 6, 1896
(Courtesy Dayton and Montgomery County Public Library)

Baseball stadium under construction, the Home baseball team consisted entirely of veterans and played against area baseball teams
(Courtesy Dayton Daily News)

Looking east, aerial view of Lakeside Park and Anderson Gate. Many Dayton residents have fond memories of the roller coaster and carousel.