Danville, PA
Danville, PA History
Danville, PA is a small, historic town located within Montour County, the smallest County in the Commonwealth. From the 1800s, Danville forged a reputation as an iron-making center, creating and manufacturing the railroad industry’s iron T-rail, which contributed greatly to the area’s success, employing over a thousand people. The mills, blast furnaces and foundries continued to operate through the turn of the century.
Today, Danville, PA celebrates its iron heritage each year in July with a multiple-day festival called the Iron Heritage Festival. Area high schools also celebrate this iron heritage with their sports teams – called the Danville Ironmen.
Montour County and the Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River in Danville, from Mill Street.
Montour County, in the heart of Pennsylvania, is noted for its rural beauty and outstanding quality of life. It is home to rolling farmlands, state game lands, state forests, nature preserves and the Susquehanna River and several tributaries. In fact, Danville, PA is considered a “river town” because of its proximity to the Susquehanna River.
At 464 miles long, it is the longest river on the American east coast that drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and is the longest river in the continental United States without commercial boat traffic. The Susquehanna forms from two main branches, with the “North Branch”, which rises in upstate New York. The shorter West Branch, joins the North Branch near Northumberland in central Pennsylvania.
Iron Heritage Festival and Iron Heritage in Danville, PA
Historic Danville Canal
The Iron Heritage festival, held each year in late July in Danville, PA honors Danville’s iron history and heritage. The Iron Age, 1829 thru 1950 and Danville, PA are truly synonymous.
In 1829, the first Iron foundry was established in Danville, PA to manufacture wagon boxes, plowshares, andirons sadiron and griddles. In 1839-1840 Iron Ore started to be mined locally and in 1840 the first Anthracite furnace to efficiently produce iron was opened in Danville, PA.
On Oct 8, 1845, the first T-rail in America was rolled out at the Montour Iron Works, the largest iron manufacturing plant in the United States. The T-rail made it possible for Pennsylvania and America to become the leader in the industrial revolution.
Danville, PA’s Major Employer: Geisinger Medical Center
Geisinger Medical Center
Geisinger Medical Center, a nationally-known and nationally-recognized health care system, is located in the small community of Danville, PA in Central Pennsylvania. The hospital and health care system, Geisinger Health Plan, are primary providers of jobs to the community of Danville, PA and beyond. Geisinger is also one of the premiere providers of healthcare to the larger Central PA region.
Founded in 1915 by Abigail Geisinger, Geisinger is a physician-led health care system, dedicated to health care, education, research and service spanning 43 counties across Pennsylvania Geisinger serves more than 2.6 million people. Geisinger in Danville, PA is now the largest rural healthcare facility in the country. The Geisinger system employs nearly 11,000 full-time employees and more than 2,500 part-time employees.
Geisinger Health System offers health care professionals opportunities to practice their skills in the beautiful northeastern and central region of Pennsylvania with its mountains, forests, lakes and streams – an active rural alternative in Danville, PA as compared to crowded urban living.
Downtown Danville, PA and the Danville Business Alliance
Downtown Danville, PA is fortunate to have the Danville Business Alliance at the helm of its downtown business district. The Danville Business Alliance (DBA) is a member-based organization.
In 2007 Danville Borough was certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) as a Main Street community, and in 2008 the DBA was designated as the organization to implement the Main Street Program in Danville, PA under a five-year grant program funded by the DCED.
Organized solely to serve charitable purposes, DBA’s activities are directed at promoting the revitalization of and reinvestment in downtown Danville, historical and architectural preservation, and promotion of the arts in our community.
The DBA has some primary goals for Danville, PAsuch as:
Danville Business Alliance Logo
- Developing a historic walking trail
- Continuing the mural program
- Expanding our facade grant program
- Working with various public and private partners to implement the Downtown Danville Master Plan
- Creating a business development strategy
- Marketing the promise to our visitors, shoppers, and prospective downtown investors
- Increasingly showcasing Danville’s artisans and businesses through its special events
- Building a long-term sustainable financial foundation
Recognition of the success of DBA’s service has resulted in a growth in membership of over 100 businesses, ranging from multi-billion dollar corporations such as Geisinger to small, family-owned retail establishments.
Hotels in Danville, PA
- Abigail House Bed & Breakfast
- Danville Super 8
- Hampton Inn Danville
- Danville Quality Inn & Suites
- Pine Barn Inn
Restaurants in Danville, PA
- Old Forge Brewing Company
- BJ's Steak & Rib House
- One Pine Barn Place
- Chef Willie's Creamery
- Pine Barn Inn Restaurant
