Edward A. Deeds and Charles F. Kettering founded the Engineers' Club in 1914. The Club was originally housed in a residence owned by the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (DELCO) at the corner of Second and Madison Streets. By 1916, however, the rapid growth of membership made it apparent that a larger facility was necessary and plans were made to build the Engineers' Club of Dayton on the southeast corner of Jefferson and Monument streets. This building, which is still in use today, was designed by two Dayton architects named Schenck and Williams. The building was dedicated on February 2, 1918 and Orville Wright, on behalf of the Board of Governors, accepted the property and turned it over to the members.
Throughout the years, the Engineers' Club of Dayton has been one of the Miami Valley's major cultural and scientific institutions. It has advanced the field of engineering through furnishing facilities where engineers, scientists, and business leaders could meet to share ideas, exchange information, and develop long-term relationships that would benefited members, the community, and society at large. It has also encouraged young people and minorities to consider careers in engineering through financial support in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and summer employment. In addition to the regular technical programs and speakers, the Club sponsors many cultural and social activities year-round.
From the guide to the MS-420 Engineers' Club of Dayton Records, 1914-2010, (Wright State University, Special Collections and Archives)
