Danville, Virginia

Clara Garrett Fountain

• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Year: 2000
• Print ISBN: 9780738506524
• eBook ISBN: 9781439610862
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: North American History
• Index: History

Since its incorporation in 1833, Danville has proved one of the Old Dominion States most interesting and historic cities, ranging from its brief stint as the last capital during the waning hours of the Confederacy, to its role as a major tobacco and textile producer in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, to the citys infamous disasters, such as the wreck of the Old 97. In these images, readers will journey back into the Danville of yesteryear and explore many elements of the citys past: its historic churches along Main Street, its stunning Victorian and Edwardian architectural treasures along Millionaires Row, and many of the citys most recognizable structures, including schools, businesses, and early government buildings.

Four

HEART OF THE CITY

The United States Court and Post Office at 530 Main Street (where First Citizens Bank now stands) was completed in 1883. One value of this 1907 postcard is that it shows family residences that once lined the upper blocks of Main Street. The small brick house on the right was the home of banker William F. Cheek.

Designed by James G. Hill in the style of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, D.C., the post office was torn down in the 1930s when a larger building was erected further up the same street.

The Danville Post Office at 700 Main Street was erected in 1932 in the Art Deco style frequently used by architect J. Bryant Heard for commercial downtown buildings. The federal post office and courthouse has served the city well for decades, but will be expanded with a newer facility late in the year 2000 that will be located across the river near the mall.

The Danville Young Men’s Christian Association was established in 1907 at 616 Main Street and served the menfolk of Danville for 62 years at that site. It was razed in 1969, the year that man (Neil Armstrong) first set foot on the moon.

Danville’s former city armory on Floyd Street was built around 1931 in the popular Art Deco style of the day. For many years Anne Boyer’s dance recitals were performed in its auditorium, where Martha Fowlkes and Meredith Gravely were featured soloists. At the top of the hill beside the armory, the home of John M. Johnston can be seen. Built in 1860, the upper part of the residence was used to house the Bank of Danville. In April 1865 the gold reserves of the Confederacy were stored in this bank for the ten days that Danville was actively involved in the Civil War.

The Municipal Building stood from 1890 to 1926 at the corner of Main and Floyd Streets, with the City Market located behind the building. A terra cotta bull’s head still overlooks the entry to the market area. James H. Fitzgerald, a cousin of T.B. Fitzgerald, is credited with the construction of this building.

Across Floyd Street from the Municipal Building stood the home of James Lanier, Danville’s first mayor. Built in 1839, Lanier used the lower wing of the house as the office of the Farmers’ Bank of Virginia, where he served as cashier.

In 1906 the Danville Lodge No. 227 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks bought this Federal-style brick house and used it for their members for several years before constructing a newer and larger building.

The lodge has played an important part in the history of Danville since its founding in 1892. This new Elks Home built by the noted Danville architect, Charles G. Pettit Jr., was opened to members in 1913.

Danville’s Court House on Patton Street, resplendent with an octagonal clock tower, was built in 1873. It stood on the site of the current Municipal Building. This original court house inspired the 1999 annex to the 1975 Court and Jail Complex. The only fire station on the south side of town sat beside this court house.

One hard-to-find postcard show...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• One - DELTIOLOGY
• Two - BRIDGES TO INDUSTRY
• Three - MAIN STREET
• Four - HEART OF THE CITY
• Five - SCHOOL DAYS
• Six - CITY OF CHURCHES
• Seven - RESIDENCES
• Eight - POSTSCRIPTS
• INDEX