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Vacation in Danville (Illinois)
Danville, Illinois is a city in the Vermilion River Valley, in eastcentral Illinois. The population was 31,467 at the 2010 census. Danville is the county seat of Vermilion County and is home to two colleges, Danville Area Community College and Schlarman Academy.
There are many things to do in Danville, Illinois, a city rich in history and brimming with contemporary cultural attractions. The city’s museums celebrate the area’s past, while the Vermilion River, which winds through town, beckons outdoor enthusiasts. Danville also boasts a vibrant live music and nightlife scene.
With its central location in Illinois, Danville makes an ideal home base for exploring the state. The city is within driving distance of several of Illinois’ major cities, including Chicago, Springfield and St. Louis.
Danville History
The city of Danville, Illinois is situated in the Vermilion River Valley, in the eastcentral part of the state. The area was first inhabited by Native Americans, who found the climate and geography to be well suited for hunting and gathering.
The first European settlers to arrive in the area were French missionaries and fur traders, who established a settlement here in the early 1700s. The French named the settlement Fort Saint Antoine des Piyats, but it quickly became known as Danville, after JeanBaptiste Besard, Sieur de Villebois, who built the fort.
The United States acquired the area in 1763 as part of the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Seven Years’ War. The area remained largely undeveloped until the early 1800s, when the construction of the Erie Canal made transportation of goods and people much easier.
Danville soon became a thriving river port, and a number of businesses and industries, such as a foundry, glass factory and woolen mill, were established. The coming of the railroad in the 1850s brought even more growth.
Today, Danville is a thriving small city with a rich history. The city’s museums celebrate its past, while its vibrant live music and nightlife scene beckons contemporary visitors.
Things to Do in Danville
Danville Museum of Natural History and Antiquities: The Danville Museum of Natural History and Antiquities is housed in an 1874 mansion known as the ElworthBemiss House. The museum features exhibits on the area’s natural history, as well as a collection of Native American artifacts.
The Vermilion River: The Vermilion River winds through the heart of Danville, and is a popular spot for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. The river is also home to the Vermilion River Reservation, a nature preserve that offers hiking and biking trails, picnicking areas and scenic views.
Live Music and Nightlife: Danville has a thriving live music scene, with a number of bars and clubs featuring live bands. The city is also home to a number of annual music festivals, including the Vermilion County Bluegrass and Folk Festival and the Danville Jazz Festival.
Shopping and Dining: Danville’s downtown area is home to a number of unique shops and boutiques, as well as a variety of restaurants. The city’s farmers’ market, held weekly from May to October, is a great place to find fresh produce and other local products.
Where to Stay in Danville
Danville has a number of hotels, motels and bed and breakfast establishments to choose from. The Vermilion County War Museum, located in the city’s historic downtown district, offers a unique overnight experience in one of the museum’s restored World War II barracks buildings.
Sights in Danville (Illinois)
Danville is a city in and the county seat of Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 33,027. Danville was founded in 1827 on 60 acres (24 ha) of land donated by Guy W. Smith and 20 acres (8 ha) donated by Dan W. Beckwith. The sale of lots was set for April 10, 1827, and the county commissioners selected “Danville” as the county seat on May 7, 1827, beating out Rocky Point, Liberty, and Catlin to become Vermilion’s first county seat. The town’s name was Anatomy beginning in May 1827, but only for that month, as the commissioners preferred the name Danville.
In 1900, 20,251 people lived in Danville; in 1910, 22,803; in 1920, 24,664; and in 1940, 28,576. The population estimate for 2019 is 32,237.
The city has hosted the Vermilion County Fair since 1854. Danville is home to the first Methodist church in Illinois, founded in 1824. The city is also home to the first AfricanAmerican public library west of the Allegheny Mountains, which was established in 1912. It is one of only a handful of cities in Illinois with three Carnegie libraries.
Danville is the principal city of the Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Danville and Vermilion County and had a population of 82,032 in the 2010 census.
The city is part of the IllinoisIndianaKentucky tristate area, a center of the American Midwest, and is known locally as the “River City”.
In May 2007, Danville was awarded the AllAmerica City Award by the National Civic League. In 2018, it was named by USA Today and the Points Guy as the fourthbest city in the United States to live in if you want to be near an airport. Danville is home to William artificial intelligence Wickel, buried in Graceland Cemetery.
The city has experienced steady growth since its founding, with a peak population of more than 40,000 in 1960. In 1965, the Four Seasons Hotel chain selected Danville as the location for its first hotel outside of the major metropolitan areas of the United States. The hotel, now called the Lincoln Heritage House, is important to the city’s downtown revitalization efforts.
The city is governed by an elected mayor and city council. The current mayor is Scott Eisenhauer, who was first elected in 2005 and reelected in 2009 and 2013. The repair and replacement of sewer lines will be the city’s top infrastructure priority over the next several years, according to the city’s 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
The city is located about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southeast of the state capital of Springfield and about 100 miles (160 km) southwest of Chicago. It is surrounded by rolling hills and farmland, as well as several small lakes and reservoirs. Danville sits atop the Vermilion River, a tributary of the Wabash River. The Vermilion River is one of the rivers in central Illinois that fish travel up to spawn.
The city has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa) with hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. Snowfall is common in the winter, while thunderstorms and tornadoes occur during the spring and summer months. Danville is home to the First Methodist Church, founded in 1824. The church is the site of the annual Vermilion County Fair. The city is also home to the Vermilion County Museum, which houses a collection of items from the county’s history.
The Danville Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1951, is the only symphony orchestra in the county. The Vermilion Valley Opera Company, founded in 1977, is the only professional opera company between Bloomington–Normal and Decatur. The Nutcracker Ballet is performed annually at the JohnstoneC Paidle Performing Arts Center.
The city is home to several golf courses, including the Henninger Park Municipal Golf Course, the Sunset Ridge Country Club, the Oakwood Country Club, and the Piper Glen Golf Course. There are also several parks, including the Kennekuk County Park, the Meade Park, and the Vermilion County Conservation Area.
The Vermilion County War Museum is located in the city. The museum houses a collection of items from the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
The city is served by the Danville Public Schools district. The district includes four elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Vermilion Community College, a twoyear community college, is located in
History of Danville (Illinois)
The founders of Danville, Illinois, settled in the area in 1827, after learning that the site had been earlier approved as a town by the Vermilion County Commissioners. The town became incorporated on April 2, 1830. At the time, it was the county seat of Vermilion County, which stretched from the Wabash River in the west to the Indiana border in the east. In 1844, the county seat was moved to Vermilionville, which is now known as Lafayette, Indiana.
Danville’s early history was greatly impacted by the presence of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. The canal, which connected the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River, ran through the middle of town, and was a major factor in the city’s growth and development. The canal brought new people and new businesses to Danville, and helped to make it a thriving community.
The city continued to grow and prosper in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Several large factories were built, and Danville became home to many businesses and professional firms. The city’s population reached its peak in the 1950s, at a time when it was the largest city in Vermilion County.
Since the 1950s, Danville has seen a decline in population and industry. Many of the factories that once called the city home have closed their doors, and the population has dwindled. Nevertheless, Danville remains a vibrant and thriving community, with a rich history and a bright future.
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