Danville, VA
Music connected to Danville
About Danville
- • Camilla Williams, the first African-American to receive a contract with a major U.S. opera company, was born there.
- • Danville was the last capital of the Confederacy for a week in April 1865.
- • The Richmond and Danville Railroad made it a major transportation hub.
- • A 1903 lynching in Danville sparked racial tensions and national outrage.
- • The Great Fire of 1903 destroyed much of the city's business district.
- • Named for the Dan River, it was established in 1793.
- • With about 40,500 residents, its population is smaller than Martinsville.
- • At 417 feet above sea level, it is hillier than the coastal plain.
- • Healthcare and social assistance comprise a major employment sector.
- • A sense of quiet history lingers in the air, mingling with modern aspirations.
- • The closest pro team is the Greensboro Grasshoppers, a High-A affiliate team.
- • Danville Braves won multiple Appalachian League championships, showcasing young talent.