Seeing the economic effects in empty storefronts

By Ruby McFarland

For the Appeal

Anyone who knows my interest in history knows how I try to keep it right.

Now I have to change one of the facts I thought was right. For years, ever since I've been interested in Dayton history, I've said, "Spafford Hall Station."

Then along comes the state archivist Guy Rocha. At our Christmas banquet he gives a historical presentation that the man's name was Spofford. Oh well, it's hard to break old habits, but I'll make every effort to get it right.

Spofford Hall was in business with traders Nathaniel R. Haskill and Washington Loomis, who ran the trading post at Gold Canyon since at least the fall of 1851. Spofford acquired the Loomis & Haskill interest in the trading post and it became Hall's Station.

Spofford Hall Station was the center of activity in the early days of this area. Emigrants going on to the gold fields in California stopped at the trading post to rest themselves and their animals. They picked up supplies needed to finish their journey West.

The Hall Station acted as a social gathering place and the first dance in the area was held in the trading post. It was memorable because of the fact that 150 men and 9 women attended the first dance. In all probability Sarah Winnemucca was at the dance. Sarah enjoyed the dances in the area and attended most of them.

Spofford Hall's stay in this area was short lived. He was here for two years then moved on. He returned to Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1854 after he suffered an injury from an accidental discharge of a gun. He sold the station to his employee James McMarlin and then it became McMarlin Station.

Hall married in Fort Wayne and the family moved about quite a lot until they moved to Hayes City, Kan. He lived there for some 21 years where he was well thought of as a man of culture and refinement.

In 1894 he sold all of his belongings and moved his family to Toledo, Ohio, where he lived until his death in February 1903. He was buried in Hayes.

Now I'll try to say "Spofford" from now on to honor the man who ran the Spofford Hall Station in Dayton in 1852-54 and helped shape the history of the area.

The historical marker marking this station can be found off of Main Street on the right side at the bottom of cemetery hill in Dayton.

The Dayton Museum is located on Shady Lane and Logan in Old Town Dayton. The Web site is daytonnvhistory.org. Group tours are available. Call 246-5543, 246-0462 or 246-0441.