Architecture of St. Anne's Hill

   St. Anne's Hill is a small, approximately 12-block area of restored and maintained homes, dating from the nineteenth and early twentieth century, which retains the feel of a turn-of-the-century neighborhood. Located within walking distance of downtown Dayton, it is mainly residential in character with a commercial strip (Fifth Street) bisecting the area. St. Anne's Hill is significant for both the quality and diversity of its architecture and for its position as the best and most intact example of an ethnic German neighborhood.

   St. Anne's Hill is a neighborhood of one and two story (and a few 3 story) brick or frame vernacular houses showing the influence of popular nineteenth century styles such as Italianate, Gothic Revival and Queen Anne. Two of St. Anne's homes on the National Register of Historic Places are the Steamboat House at 6 Josie, which is an example of the Queen Anne style with its typical asymmetry, complex massings of diverse architectural forms, and elaborate detailing. The Bossler Mansion, built in 1869, at 136 Dutoit Street is the finest example of Second Empire Architecture in the City. Second Empire Architecture was prominent in France during the reign of Napolean III, 1852-70. The IOOF Building on LaBelle Street is another architecturaly unique structure.