Spending time with the restorers and Uncle Paul at the shop usually means being focused on a specific project or goal. But sometimes, taking a break to play tourist in our own backyard is worth the effort.
It took some planning, but we finally made it happen.
The idea started over lunch just after the holidays, when winter days seemed to stretch on forever.
I was looking for an escape from the seasonal blues, while Rosie dreamed of something more spring-like, with flowers and sunshine. Rosie was closer to the mark—by the time we coordinated our schedules and secured tickets, the weather had shifted, bringing a hint of warmth.
Just before the time change, we finally made our pilgrimage to Hawthorn Hill, the home of Orville Wright.
Uncle Paul, Peppermint Pam, Rosie and her husband, along with the other restorer and his family, joined the rest of us from the shop on a Saturday afternoon to explore the home that Wilbur Wright never had the chance to see.
The Legacy of Hawthorn Hill
Hawthorn Hill sits southeast of Dayton, in the higher ground of Oakwood. When the Wright brothers initially bought the land, it was surrounded by nothing but nature, a setting that suited their personalities better than the crowds they attracted after their aviation success.
Wilbur had envisioned a home where he could finally have his own bedroom and bathroom, a luxury their previous house on Hawthorn Street did not afford.
However, between purchasing the land and completing construction, Wilbur passed away, and Dayton experienced a devastating flood, leaving many residents—including Orville—stranded in their attics and on their rooftops awaiting rescue.
In the flood’s aftermath, Oakwood became a highly desirable neighborhood, attracting prominent residents such as members of the Hartzell family, the Green family (of Cheez-It fame), and executives from NCR, including Edward Deeds and John Patterson.
The name Hawthorn Hill derives from the hawthorn trees that once covered the area. The home’s backyard boasts a perfect hill for sledding, a tradition area children enjoyed during Orville’s lifetime and one that continues today when weather permits.
Touring the Wrights’ Home
Hawthorn Hill is open to the public through Carillon Historical Park, part of Dayton History. Tours last 90 minutes, with a limit of 14 participants per session.
However, the home is not handicap accessible, and there are no public restrooms available on-site.
At the time of Orville’s passing, the Wright family allowed his friend Edward Deeds to photograph the entire home, preserving its interior as it was when Orville, his sister Katharine, and their father lived there.
Orville’s study, located just off the main hallway, remains unchanged, while other parts of the home saw updates during its time as an NCR guesthouse. The historic photographs provide a window into the daily life of the Wrights, revealing both their simplicity and ingenuity.
Even in retirement, Orville enjoyed tinkering with household items, often to the exasperation of his sister Katharine.
His habit of “improving” appliances sometimes rendered them inoperable—his modified record player, for instance, is now displayed in the Carillon Park exhibit alongside a replica of the Wright brothers’ bicycle shop and the Wright Flyer located within.
Yet some of his enhancements proved functional, such as the bicycle chains he installed to replace the rope weights in his bedroom windows, which still operate today.
The Mind of an Innovator
Hearing the anecdotes shared during the tour, many of which are detailed in The Wright Brothers by David McCullough and The Bishop’s Boys by Tom Crouch, makes history feel personal. Seeing how Orville lived day to day reminds us that innovation is often born from small, practical improvements.
That same inventive spirit is alive in the restoration shop, where Uncle Paul and the restorers constantly puzzle over how to replicate aircraft parts for their restoration projects. Just as Orville used bicycle chains to make everyday tasks easier, these craftsmen apply creativity and problem-solving skills to keep aviation history alive.
Exploring Hawthorn Hill gave us a fresh perspective—not just on the Wright brothers’ legacy, but also on the very nature of invention and progress.
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