An early artist’s rendering of the Winters Bank Building
This month, Dayton’s Kettering Tower celebrates its 40th birthday. Built by Dayton architectural firm, Lorenz Williams Inc., Winters Bank Tower, as it was known upon completion, had its grand opening May 22, 1972.
Instrumental in the development of this building were Eugene and Virginia Kettering. Eugene Kettering, a Winters Bank board member, envisioned the construction of an unrivaled new office building that would spur economic growth and development in downtown Dayton. Plans for the building began in early 1965. Eugene died in 1969, but his wife Virginia, who succeeded him on the Winters Bank board, oversaw the building to completion.
When finished it was hailed as an architectural masterpiece in the International Style and has since served as Dayton’s tallest and most recognizable building. All documents and photos seen here come from MS-363, The Kettering Family Papers at Special Collections and Archives, Wright State University Libraries.
Invitation for the Groundbreaking Ceremony, April, 1969
An early draft of an invitation to the Grand Opening
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