The ‘pest house,’ Grim Reaper and how the ‘Spanish Lady’ brought the Gem City to its knees

An estimated 500 to 675 of those people lived in or near the Gem City.

Dayton Daily News and Dayton.com staff photographer and reporter Lisa Powell, with the help of colleague Laura Bishoff and local historians, uncovered a little known story of how the Spanish flu shut down Dayton.

>> Coronavirus: Social distancing a lesson learned from Spanish flu pandemic

In this special episode, Lisa and "What Had Happened Was" host Amelia Robinson dish about the Grim Reaper, pestilent houses, the Vicks Vapor Rub shortage, the media blackout and why one solider probably had his fill of cold, soft boiled eggs.

Spanish flu has been compared to the coronavirus pandemic.

Stories of Hope

We all need inspiration in these difficult times. And as always, this community delivers. We are sharing these stories of hope in action, every day in the Dayton Daily News.

>> Archdeacon: When sports is no longer a diversion

ABOUT THE PODCAST

"What Had Happened Was" is a podcast for Dayton, powered by Dayton.com and recorded in the DATV studios. You won't believe the stories that come from right here. Host Amelia Robinson shares the best tales from the Gem City, Land of Funk and Birthplace of Aviation: Dayton, Ohio.

>> “What Had Happened Was...” podcast finalist for prestigious Marconi award

WHERE TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE

Listen to each show below or get the latest episodes delivered directly to you. Find the What Had Happened Was podcast and subscribe on Apple Podcast (iTunes), Google Play, Stitcher and other services. If you like what you hear, rate this podcast.

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EPISODE 57

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EPISODE 56

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EPISODE 55

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EPISODE 54

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EPISODE 53

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EPISODE 52

The ‘kick-ass’ women who gave Dayton Art Institute its shine

EPISODE 51

Comedian Megan Stalter on landing ‘National Lampoon Radio Hour’ and being booted out of a Dayton improv class

EPISODE 50

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EPISODE 49

Struggle, survival and strength 1 : Dayton shares stories from year of terror

EPISODE 48

Struggle, survival and strength 2 : Dayton shares stories from year of terror

EPISODE 47

Reporter Cornelius Frolik on the Dayton garage killings

EPISODE 46

Dion Green on pain, grief and fighting through darkness after Dayton mass shooting and tornadoes

EPISODE 45

Delusion, Delight and Drag: A deep dive into Ms. Demure’s mind

EPISODE 44

Tales of old-school murder in Dayton

EPISODE 43

Dayton’s ‘other Dave’ is behind the over-the-top pickup truck in the Oregon District

EPISODE 42

His only child was killed during the Dayton mass shooting. Now Mike Turner wants everyone to hug.