History of the Troy Recreation Association

The Troy Recreation Association (also known as the Troy Rec or The Rec) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit inspired by Reverend A.M. 'Pop' Dixon’s dedication to youth. Born on February 7th, 1883, in Virginia, Reverend Dixon’s family moved to Ohio when he was an infant. He spent his adolescent years in Zanesville, Ohio, where his recreational activities largely consisted of observing the local ruffians being arrested — a far cry from the positive outlets he would later create. The Troy Rec was officially founded in 1941, but its roots trace back to 1932 when Reverend Dixon organized boys’ baseball tournaments through the First Baptist Church, where he worked at the time. The tournaments were a hit and led to the launch of summer activities for girls the following year. After the success of these programs, Reverend Dixon approached civic leaders about creating a recreational committee to support local youth. With community backing and funding secured, the committee was established.

After the recreational committee was established, Reverend Dixon made a bold decision to resign from the pulpit after 27 years and dedicate his career to working with youth. He served as the director of the Troy Rec until 1963, retiring at the age of 80. However, his retirement was short-lived — he returned as interim director two years later while a permanent replacement was found. During this time, he also worked part-time at a small church before officially retiring in 1967. To honor his lifelong dedication to the community, the city of Troy held a special city-wide celebration, complete with a parade and farewell attended by over 700 people. In recognition of his impact, Pop Dixon Day was created to celebrate all he had done for the community.

Originally, the Troy Rec was located on the second floor of the Coleman Allen Saidleman Building (also known as the Allen & Wheeler Building). With the help of the 1941 and 1942 classes, two rooms on that floor were transformed into a recreational space. The kids brought in a Coke cooler, a record player, and even their own vinyl records. Dancing was a popular activity at the time, and this new space provided a safe environment where young people could enjoy themselves. By 1947, the Troy Rec’s popularity had grown significantly. Through fundraising efforts, a larger space was acquired at the Briggs Monument Building on North Market Street to accommodate the increasing number of visitors. However, by the 1960s, space became an issue once again. Thanks to community fundraising and the acquisition of an adjacent property, the West Water Street addition opened in 1962. In 1974, vibrant murals were added to the outside walls of the Troy Rec, thanks to illustrator Tim Bowers and Troy High School art students, guided by their art teacher, Mr. Delmar Preston. Around 2013-2014, the brick wall with the mural required extensive repairs. Once completed, muralist Dan Keyes and his son, Patrick, carefully restored the mural, preserving its original design.

Space limitations had been a persistent issue for the Troy Rec before it moved to the Briggs Monument Building on North Market Street. In the 1940s, Carl B. Felger voiced his concerns, saying, “As Juvenile Judge for this county, I can speak with firsthand knowledge that the ‘Rec’ has been outstanding in providing the boys and girls of Troy and surrounding communities with wholesome and positive recreation. However, the current quarters are totally inadequate, and it is absolutely essential that they have larger space to continue their excellent work.”
Thomas E. Hook, Troy City Schools Superintendent from 1919-1947, also expressed his support, stating, 'I want to give my hearty approval to the entire program. Our high school students are particularly eager for larger quarters, and as someone who works closely with them, I can easily appreciate the need for more space and an expanded program.'
In May 1943, the Troy Recreation Association gained national attention when it was featured in Reader’s Digest in an article titled “Trouble on the Street Corners” by Eleanor Lake (Volume 42, Number 253). This spotlight not only brought attention to the Troy Rec but also served as an inspiration for other communities across the country to create similar recreation programs. A quote from the article read: 'The town of Troy, Ohio, meets the honky-tonk competition with its special Recreation Rooms… where boys and girls find soft lights, cokes, Gene Krupa records, and room to dance—without the drink, tough talk, or dangers of the tavern.'

Today, the Troy Recreation Association has become everything Reverend Dixon envisioned and more. During the school year, the Troy Rec offers an after-school program for 6th-12th graders, where they can hang out, play video games, practice their billiards skills, and shoot hoops. It serves as a safe place for local kids to land, just as Pop Dixon intended. Upstairs, the Rec hosts a Before and After School daycare program for 1st-5th graders. The Smart Start Preschool offers both morning and afternoon classes to accommodate parents' schedules. Additionally, the Troy Rec runs the Summer Lunch Buddies program, where students entering grades K-4 are paired with teen and adult volunteers. They enjoy lunch together, participate in group activities, and read for 20 minutes with their mentors. The Rec is also a partner of the Summer Lunch Program, which provides free food during the summer months to ensure that kids ages 0-18 have access to at least one nutritious meal a day. In addition to this wide range of programs and activities, we host a variety of events, such as the Miami Valley Homeschool Prom, dance classes, meetings, and reward parties for Troy City Schools students. We also provide space to rent for birthday parties, conferences, and other community events. 
 
Today, the Troy Rec continues to embody Pop Dixon’s vision — a safe, vibrant space where youth can learn, grow, and build lifelong connections. None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of the community and generous sponsors like the United Way Miami County, the Troy Foundation, the Paul G. Duke Foundation, and the Miami County Foundation. 
Newspaper Articles
The canal boat mural was designed by illustrator Tim Bowers and painted by Troy High School's Class of 1974. During a building remodel, muralist Dan Keyes and his son, Patrick, restored the design after exterior brick repairs.
Our Mission
"To provide a recreational and social environment for the citizens of Troy with the primary emphasis on youth."
The Troy Recreation Association, Inc.