The author expresses sadness over the demolition of the former headquarters building of the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) in Dayton. The building, located on West National Road, was constructed in 1923 by prominent local figures like James M. Cox, Frederick B. Patterson, and Charles Kettering. It had historic significance as the home of the ATA and Trapshooting Hall of Fame. However, the Dayton International Airport wanted the ATA to leave and the building sat empty after the organizations relocated. Regrettably, the building was torn down without consideration of its history or potential alternative uses.

1. A piece of local history torn down - Dayton Outdoor
Recreation
I was a little sad to hear the City of Dayton and/or the Dayton International Airport had decided to
demolish the former headquarters building for the Amateur Trapshooting Association.
I realize the era ended when the ATA moved its annual Grand American Trapshooting Tournament
out of Vandalia after 81 years there and relocated it to Sparta, Ill. in 2006. The airport (which was
built after the trapshooting grounds) wanted the ATA out and the city and county did nothing to stop
the eviction. The state did next to nothing.
I realize that as you read this column, the wrecking ball has already come crashing down on the
historic ATA building, located at 601 West National Road. And that is a shame. I had hoped the city
would find some use for the building, even though it is no longer used for anything connected with
trapshooting. The ATA offices moved out a couple of years ago and the Trapshooting Hall of Fame
followed a short time later.
But if you ever happened to view the small plaque at the foot flagpole in front of the building you
would have seen the names of the people who built the ATA headquarters in 1923 ... names like Cox,
Huffman, Patterson and Kettering, among others. In case those making the city's decisions these
days haven't checked their city's history lately, those names belong to James M. Cox (newspapers
and twice Ohio governor), Frederick B. Patterson (NCR), Col. Frank Huffman (Huffy) and Charles F.
Kettering, the automotive pioneer for whom the city of Kettering is named.
Those men were proud of the new home they built for the nation's trapshooters and the vision they
had to help the area prosper. (The Grand American's economic impact was estimated to be more
than $10 million annually in its final years.) They probably couldn't envision there would be a day
when someone would tear it down without a thought or regret.
Fortunately, the ATA preserved the plaque and put it in a place where it can be viewed forever ... in
a special display in Sparta with the flagpole and brick gateway from the old Vandalia headquarters.
Perhaps it would be even better suited for a Dayton museum.