Tag Archives: Culps Cafe

Things to Do in Ohio in the Month of March

Deed’s Carillon, A Dayton, Ohio Landmark

Approaching Carillon Historical Park on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, I could hear the Westminster chimes tolling from the Deeds Carillon.  The spectacular sounds of “Over the Rainbow” could be heard from miles.

A carillon is a tower (belfry) that houses a set of bells that requires a keyboard or automated system to play music.  To be considered a carillon, the instrument must include a minimum of twenty-three bells with a musical range of at least two octaves.

Philanthropists Colonel Edward Deeds and his wife Edith gifted Dayton with this spectacular tower, as well as the nearby Carillon Historical Park. Edith Deeds, an accomplished musician, performed the first carillon concert on Easter Sunday in 1942.

After having been automated in 2010, the carillon plays daily from over 10,000 musical pieces.  On special occasions, such as annual Easter services, a world renowned carilloneur plays concerts throughout the year.

Standing at the base of the carillon, it is not hard to believe it is the largest of its kind in Ohio, standing 151 feet tall and housing fifty-seven bells.   At the base of the tower are stanzas from a well-known poem written by Henry Longfellow:

“It was as if an earthquake rent the hearthstones of a continent and made forelorn the households born of peace on earth good will toward men.  And in despair I bowed my head there is no peace on earth I said for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth good will to men.  Then peeled the bells more loud and deep God is not dead nor does he sleep  the wrong shall fail the right prevail with peace on earth good will to men.”

During the holidays, one of Dayton’s best known landmarks is transformed into the Carillon Tree of Light.  Decorated with over 20,000 bulbs, the lighting ceremony introduces the park’s season of festivities to include fabulous food and family fun.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Carillon Park and hear the bells?  I would love to hear about your visit if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about the beautiful Carillon Park in Dayton, Ohio and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

The Deeds Carillon at Carillon Historical Park
1000 Carillon Boulevard
Dayton, OH  45409
Telephone: 937 293 2841

Where to Stay:

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Dayton SW University Area
2140 S Edwin Moses Boulevard
Dayton, OH 45417
Telephone: 937 250 6400

Where to Eat:

Culps Café at Carillon Historical Park
1000 Carillon Boulevard
Dayton, OH  45409
Telephone: 937 293 2841

I ordered the chicken salad sandwich with Mike Sells Potato Chips.  Save room for an ice cream sundae!

What to Eat: 

  • The Bourbon Burger at Brixx Ice Company
  • Calamari Appetizer at Franco’s
  • Cheese and Onion Sandwich from Central Perc
  • Chicken Monterey at Flavors
  • Del Mar Trio (grilled lobster, tilapia, and shrimp) at El Rancho Grande
  • Fish with Chili Sauce at Thai9
  • The Grilled Peaches with Goat Cheese at Lily’s Bistro
  • Huevos Rancheros at Sunrise Cafe (Yellow Springs)
  • The Land and Sea BLT at Harvest Mobile Food Truck
  • The Lox and Cheese Crepe at Crepe Bohemey
  • The Paris Omelet at Butter Cafe
  • Pizza at Soft Rock Cafe
  • Pretzels from K&R Pretzel Bakery
  • Raw Oysters at Sweeney’s Seafood House
  • The Ruck from Dublin Pub
  • Spinozian Deluxe Pizza at Spinoza’s
  • The Split Filet served with Drawn Butter at The Paragon
  • Spring Rolls with Vermicelli Noodles at Miss Saigon
  • Whole Deep Fried Tilapia at Taco Loco

What to Read: 

  • Dayton through Time, by Curt Dalton
  • The Dayton Flight Factory: The Wright Brother and the Birth of Aviation by Timothy Gaffney
  • Sharp and Dangerous Virtues by Martha Moody

Photo Guide for Dayton

  • Cox Arboretum
  • Eastwood MetroPark
  • Carriage Hill MeroPark
  • Riverscape/Deed’s Point
  • Carillon Historical Park
  • West Milton Cascades
  • The Oregon District and Downtown
  • The United States Air Force Museum
  • Wegerzyn Gardens

Dine at Culp’s Cafe in Carillon Park, Dayton

UPDATE!   Since my visit in 2016, Culp’s Cafe has expanded as a full-service restaurant where waiters and waitresses in period costumes will take your order. Check out the counter where you will find the large soda fountain on display.

During a visit to Carillon Park, I had the opportunity to dine in at the historical Culp’s Cafe.  Surrounded by early 20th century architecture and design, this delightful eatery was built to resemble local Culp’s Cafeteria of the 1930’s, when Dayton was on the rise with ingenuity and invention.

Cafeterias have since been replaced by restaurants and buffets, but were once popular food service locations.  Think hospitals and high schools where food would be displayed at a counter, you could make your selection and pay the cashier for your purchase.  At one time, this was how one would order food and then find a dining room table or counter to enjoy their food.

Inside are photos of acclaimed diner, Culp’s Cafeteria, a historical eatery founded by Charlotte Gilbert Culp, whose success story is quite fascinating.  According to the Carillon Historical Park website, Charlotte was a widow who prepared baked goods and sold them door to door to support her six children which led to her opening a stand at Dayton’s South Main Street Market.  Expanding the business, Charlotte’s son Howard, opened three lunch counters at Dayton’s Arcade, a three-story indoor market with over 200 stalls.  In 1931, the Culp’s Cafeteria opened at the Arcade with its fountain and full-service restaurant, later expanding throughout the Dayton area.

According to the feed on Dayton History Books Online, Culp’s was a popular spot with the local police  and locals.

The black and white floor tiles and red cushioned bar stools are reminiscent of the early 1900’s diners.  There is a small deli refrigerator where you can select a couple of items to enjoy for lunch.  I decided on the chicken salad with a milkshake, a typical meal one would order at a diner and set off to continue my exploration of Carillon Historical Park.

Have you visited Culp’s Cafe?  Do you have some insight on its history?  I would love to learn more about the history of Culp’s Cafeteria in the late 1900s if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my lunch stop at Culp’s Cafe and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Culp’s Cafe at Carillon Historical Park
1000 Carillon Blvd.
Dayton, OH  45409
Telephone:  937 299 2277