Danville, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Danville, Washington
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 Danville, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
Danville, Washington
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Ferry |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.18 sq mi (0.46 km2) |
| • Land | 0.18 sq mi (0.46 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,745 ft (532 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 34 |
| • Density | 191/sq mi (73.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
99121
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| Area code(s) | 509 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1518480 |
| FIPS code | 53-16585 |
Danville is a small community in Ferry County, Washington, United States. It's not an official city, but a "census-designated place" (CDP), which means it's a special area counted by the government. Danville is found on Washington State Route 21, very close to the border with Canada. It is about 31 miles (50 km) north-northeast of Republic, which is the main town in Ferry County.
Contents
Why is it Called Danville?
Danville used to be called Nelson. This name came from two merchants, Peter Bertelsen Nelson and his uncle Ole Nelson. The community likely started around 1889. The name Nelson was first written down in 1896.
The town was renamed Danville in January 1899. This was done to avoid confusion with another town called Nelson, British Columbia in Canada. One idea is that the new name came from Daniel (Dan) Montgomery Drumheller. He helped promote the town and was also a mayor of Spokane.
Another idea is that Danville was named after the Danville Mining Co., which might have been a nearby business. Some old maps even show Danville as a separate area next to the original Nelson.
Danville's History
Early Days of the Community
Even though the Nelson family were important early merchants, it's not clear if they had the very first store. In the early 1890s, Dennis Peone ran a store from his home. His home also offered a place for travelers to stay.
The post office opened around 1896. P.B. Nelson, the storekeeper, was the first postmaster. By that winter, Danville had a butcher shop, a saloon, and a hotel.
In 1897, the town was officially planned out. A general store opened, which also fixed jewelry and watches. A local newspaper, the Reservation Record, was published for less than a year before moving to another town. Around 1898, John Sucksmith started a sawmill, but he sadly died a few years later. The next owner of the mill also passed away.
In 1900, Peter Nelson's store was destroyed by fire. He rebuilt it, but faced money problems later. In 1905, a new group bought the sawmill. It was very busy, producing lots of lumber every day.
After the Prohibition Era
In the 1920s, Danville became more active because of a time called Prohibition. During this time, it was illegal to make or sell alcohol. Danville became a place where people who secretly brought in drinks would meet. They used local guides to help them avoid border police.
When Prohibition ended, Danville became quieter. Several fires also caused damage to the town. There were even rumors that the local justice of the peace, Old Man Jennings, was making fake money.
Danville Today
In 1990, a new complex was built just north of Danville. It had motel rooms, a restaurant, a convenience store, and a gas station. Like many small towns near the border, most of its customers were from Canada. This business was put up for sale in 2021 but reopened in 2022 under new owners.
As of 2023, Danville still has a post office. The Danville Hall is home to a volunteer fire department, which helps keep the community safe.
Population
In the 2010 census, the population of Danville was 34 people.
Transportation and Travel
Getting Around and Crossing the Border
Danville is located about 0.6 miles (1 km) south of the Canadian border. In the past, two railroads served the community.
Roads and Bridges
Roads leading to Danville were improved in the late 1890s. This made it easier to travel to and from the town. However, during springtime, the roads could be very muddy. Sometimes, the only way to move goods was by river.
In 1902, people living in Danville asked the county to build a bridge across the river. This bridge would help them reach the train station. In 1910, a new steel bridge was built to replace the old one. The railway tracks are no longer there, and the path is now used as a trail.
Mining in Danville
The Alabama group was a local mine that dug for copper and gold. In 1902, a group led by William Ridpath bought and developed the mine. They started sending materials to a smelter (a place where metal is separated from rock) in 1903.
The mine was not active after 1910, but it was bought by Arthur Dunphy in 1916. In 1919, another company bought it and started operations again. The mine closed for good in 1921. It was the biggest producer of its kind in the area before it closed. This group of mines was also known as the Morning Star from the mid-1930s to the mid-1940s.
The Legend of the Golden Plate
In the summer of 1912, a man named John Falconer was looking for minerals near Danville. A lightning storm started a fire on a hillside. As he rode towards the fire, his horse stumbled on a rock. When he reached the fire, the rain had put it out. On his way home, he picked up the rock, thinking it was just a common mineral called pyrites.
Months later, Falconer realized the rock was actually mostly gold ore! It was worth a lot of money, over $1,000 at the time. The older residents of Danville called this discovery "the golden plate." They believed it meant there was a large amount of gold nearby.
Falconer and his wife searched for the exact spot where he found the rock, but they could never find it again. Many people have tried to find this hidden gold deposit since then, but no one has ever succeeded. The "golden plate" remains a mystery! As of 2023[update]
See also
In Spanish: Danville (Washington) para niños
