Shawen Acres

Shawen Acres is a children's shelter complex in Dayton comprised of a main building, an annex, a gymnasium, and ten English-style cottages arranged within a 19-acre landscaped property. The buildings are designed in Tudor Revival style and form a cohesive campus with organized grounds.

Dr. Charles Shawen donated the land to Montgomery County in 1926, and construction of this children's home followed between 1926 and 1927. The founding emerged from the era's commitment to creating improved housing for orphaned and neglected children.

The Tudor Revival architecture of the complex reflects the social reform movements of the 1920s that sought to improve conditions for orphaned children. The arrangement of separate cottages represented a shift away from large institutional buildings toward a more home-like environment for children in care.

The site is located on North Main Street in Dayton and now serves as the headquarters for Children's Services administration. Visitors should note that this is an active government office, so access policies may vary depending on what you plan to see.

The property originally contained ten separate cottages, an approach that was revolutionary for its time and offered children in care more privacy and a home-like experience. This layout concept would later influence how modern child care facilities were designed.