When floodwaters struck the community during the Great Dayton Flood of 1913 , refugees fled to St. Mary 's College high on a hill south of downtown Dayton . St. Mary 's College was uniquely situated and equipped to provide relief to flood victims . Because students had not returned to campus from Easter break , the college was amply stocked with food and other provisions . Due to its location on the hill , electric light and heating plants were not affected , a plentiful clean water supply was available and the college had other essential facilities such as a laundry and infirmary . The college 's kitchen provided meals to Miami Valley Hospital and provided 12,000 pounds of provisions to St. Elizabeth Hospital . The first night , 400 refugees took shelter at St. Mary 's College ; by the end of the week the number had grown to 600 . In all , the college assisted 800 refugees . Known at various times as St. Mary 's School , St. Mary 's Institute and St. Mary 's College , the school was incorporated as the University of Dayton in 1920 to reflect its close connection with the city of Dayton as well as to claim an American identity for its Catholic students
Great Dayton Flood
Great Dayton Flood
University of Dayton