Danville, Indiana Today

Currently, Danville Chamber of Commerce is participating in a project for the revitalization of the downtown area, as well as promoting economic growth of the community by attracting new business in the area.

Housing needs are being met by major housing developments which will extend the corporation's boundaries as more than nine subdivisions will accommodate some 1,300 new homes in the future.

A four-lane highway (US 36) was opened in 1986 to provide a quick and easy commute to the Indianapolis area via an Interstate Highway System.

History of Danville

See also: Main Street Historical Association

Danville, the county seat of Hendricks County, is the oldest town in the county.  The first settlement in the Danville area was in 1823, and a year later, the county was officially organized as a unit of government on April 1, 1824.

The town was laid out in the summer of 1824 when four citizens each donated 20 acres to form the new community.  Lots were sold during a three-day auction, bringing $3 to $115.

Danville was officially incorporated in 1835 and named in honor of Daniel Wick, brother of William Wick, who was conducting court in the county at that time.

Court House

The first Court House was completed in 1826 at a cost of $147.  It was a one-story log structure measuring 30' x 40'.  

In 1858 plans for a new Court House were announced.  The building was completed in 1862 at a cost of $60,000.  It was in the Gothic style and featured two towers:  a clock tower on the north side and a 100' observation tower on the south.

On January 9, 1912, a heavy snow caused the roof of the Court House to collapse.  It was decided to replace rather than repair.  The cornerstone for the present building was laid on May 20, 1913.  The building was completed in 1915 at a cost of $225,000.

Sheriff's Residence and Jail

A log jail was replaced in 1866 by a brick sheriff's residence and jail built in the Second Empire style, located a block south of the Court House.  It was used until 1974 when a new jail was built east of town.  In 1976, the Hendricks County Historical Society took over the use of the building as the Hendricks County Museum.  This building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Notable Buildings

In the beginning, taverns and hotels were very important to the town.  Danville could only be reached by horseback or wagon and those wanting to conduct business at the county seat often had to stay for several days.  The oldest remaining hotel building is at the west end of the south side of the square.  It was built about 1868 by Nelson Greene.  In 1881, another owner had a three story addition joined to the east side of the building, making it the largest hotel in the county.

On the east side, the Royal Theater is an excellent example of the Tudor Revival style.  The north half of the building was constructed in 1914 and was the first building constructed for the purpose of showing moving pictures in town.  In 1927, a new addition was put on the north side and the facade of the buildings were combined.

The Cappucino Cafe on the northeast corner was originally a hardware store when it was built in 1872.

Just east of the Capuccino Cafe, the building used currently as the Masonic Lodge was built as a Presbyterian Church in the 1850's.  The front of the building was remodeled with brick in the 1930's.