Illustration Depicting Mills Along Dan River, 1892

When looking into primary resources concerning local history, old city directories never cease to paint a vivid picture of the past. One publication called “Turner’s Directory for the Cities of Danville and North Danville, Va. for the Years of 1892-93” was a must-have resource for Danville residents and businessmen to network. At a price of three dollars, the directory was no small expense with about the same value as one hundred dollars current money.  

Several businesses along Main Street bought large ads in the publication. Beginning at 244 Main, J. Howard Estes and Harry Wooding (who also became Danville’s mayor in 1892) owned a store selling fancy dry goods, carpets, rugs, oil cloths, curtains of lace and damask, etc. At 313 Main, I.P. Raines’s Store sold candies, toys, banjos, guitars, fiddles, tobacco, oranges, lemons, nuts, raisins, and more. Down to 406 Main, a store called The Ideal was owned by O.E. Hatcher who sold a selection of “fine old rye, bourbon, and corn whiskies, imported and domestic brandies, wines, gins, ales, brown stout, cigars,” etc. He recommended  his French Brandy, Port and Sherry Wines “for medicinal use.” 426 Main housed a store owned by Williamson & Lipscomb who sold crockery, glassware, tinware, lamp goods, cutlery, and more. Opposite the masonic temple, 440 Main was occupied by the store of Thomas H. Averett, bookseller and stationer. He printed books and dealt in pictures, framing, and musical instruments. Opposite the post office at 543 Main, the Hotel Carolina offered rooms for $1.50 per day, which is comparable to about $50 current money. The proprietors, Ellyston & Terry, boasted that rooms were newly furnished and possessed “every modern convenience,” also that “the street cars pass by the Hotel, offering quick, cheap, and comfortable transit to nearly all parts of the city.”

Danville Military Institute, “The Castle” 1892 Illustration

A full spread advertisement was taken out for the Danville Military Institute showing the imposing stuccoed brick fortification known as “The Castle” that once stood on the site of the present Danville Community College campus. In addition to military training, the school offered courses in English, Classical Studies, Science, and Business. The buildings were lighted by gas, had a boiler system to heat with steam, and cadets had access to both hot and cold water. Administrators at the time included Col. E.B. Withers, President; Dr. H.W. Cole, Vice-President; and C.L. Holland, Secretary and Treasurer. 

At 609 Patton Street, Roanoke Female College had been in operation since 1859. They offered the departments of Ancient Languages, Modern Languages, English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Moral Philosophy, and History. In addition, the school emphasized the musical courses of piano and voice culture as “an essential part of a useful and finished education.” In addition, their art department offered instruction in several categories such as oil and water color painting, crayon portraits from photographs, mineral painting upon China, repoussé (metalworking), and painting on fabrics. At 401 and 403 Patton Street, N.W. Lumpkins ran a livery stable in a large brick building. Further down at 407 Patton was the office of Dr. T.A. Donaldson, a veterinary physician, surgeon, and dentist. Down Bridge Street at 219 and 221, Frank B. Gravely & Co. sold groceries, staple dry goods, boots, shoes, hay, corn, and oats. 

Across the river was the Town of North Danville, which changed its name to Neapolis in 1894 and then merged with the rest of the city of Danville in 1896. According to the directory, C.D. Flynn served as wheelwright and blacksmith, and R.D. Flynn owned another business called Flynn Wagon Works where he built and repaired farm vehicles. J.J. Flippin had a grocery store at the corner of Main and Jefferson Streets. B.S. Motley and W.R. Mitchell sold furniture and hardware in North Danville including stoves, lamps, and crockery.