The site of the Conover Building has been used for commercial purposes for more than two centuries , beginning with the opening of a blacksmith shop by New Jersey native Obadiah Conover in 1811 . The present structure was erected on the site in 1900 , and within a few years of its construction , it was recognized as one of Dayton 's most prominent office towers ; during the Miami River flood of 1913 , when the Miami and Mad Rivers broke their dikes and flash-flooded the downtown , many pedestrians took refuge in the Conover Building 's upper stories . Nearly a century later , by which time the Conover had also attracted the name of " American Building " , it became viewed as Dayton 's most dangerous intersection : repeated incidents of crime at the adjacent central bus station led local media to deem the junction of Third and Main the " Corner of Chaos " . Crime efforts have since fallen substantially , due to a reorganization of the city 's bus hub and the restructuring of various other components in the area 's built environment
Miami River flood of 1913
Great Dayton Flood
Conover Building