According to Drury's history, and William P. Huffman, great grandson of D. Beckel and great, great grandson of William Huffman, D. Beckel built the hotel on the site he purchased from William Huffman. William P. Huffman was the son of William P. Huffman, whose father Torrence Huffman married Annie Beckel, a daughter to Daniel Beckel. Torrence Huffman was a grandson of William Huffman who owned the site originally. William Huffman built the Beckel House at Third and Jefferson Streets. The construction of the building began in 1853 and was completed in 1866. The National Hotel, adjoining the Beckel on Third Street, was built in 1828. In later years, it was known as the Phoenix House. It was razed in 1883 and the west wing of the Beckel House was added.

Dayton Metro Library Local History