Danville Community
In 1848, the Gum Spring Presbyterian Church (now known as the First Presbyterian Church of Kilgore) was organized by the community, and the Danville Masonic Lodge No. 101 was chartered in 1852 with S. Slade Barnett as an initial member of both organizations. The masonic lodge would pay a large part in the social and educational life of the community. A post office opened in 1850 under the name Rabbit Creek but was changed to New Danville in 1852, with John W. Wilson as the first postmaster. The post office operated until 1873, The majority of the families that settled in Danville were traditional farmers along with several doctors, merchants, mechanics, teachers and more.
At its height after the Civil War, Danville was the location of several stores, saloons, a blacksmith
shop, saw mill, and mule-powered cotton gin. The community continued to prosper until the 1870s when the International-Great Northern Railroad bypassed the town. Many of the town's residents and businesses moved to the new town of Kilgore along the railroad. Danville remains one of the oldest settlements in what became Gregg CountyErected 2017 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18798.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Native Americans • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.
Location. 32° 23.822′ N, 94° 49.929′ W. Marker is in Danville, Texas, in Gregg County. Marker is on Charles K. Devall Memorial Highway (U.S. 259) south of Danville Road, on the right when traveling north. Next to the Danville Maize at Danville Farms. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Charles Devall Memorial Highway, Kilgore TX 75662, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Gum Spring Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); "Oil City of the World" Kilgore (approx. 2 miles away); Kilgore High School (approx. 2.4 miles away); First Baptist Church of Kilgore (approx. 2˝ miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 2˝ miles away); Site of Alexander Institute (approx. 2˝ miles away); St. Luke's United Methodist Church (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Kilgore I&GN-Missouri Pacific Railroad Station (approx. 2.6 miles away).
Also see . . . Longview News-Journal article on dedication of marker. (Submitted on September 4, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 405 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 4, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.