Danville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Danville's Streetcars
In 1886, Danville's first trolleys used mule power to pull them from the train station on Craghead Street to the intersection of South Main and West Main streets. After two years, electrically operated vehicles replaced this primitive public conveyance. Using the green and cream color scheme adopted in 1911, modern streamlined vehicles later supplanted the open cars and in 1938, gasoline powered buses replaced the iron-wheel trolleys, bringing a nostalgic era to an end.
Likenesses featured are Walter Gunn assisting wife, Gail, down the steps as young Andrew Preston Saunders climbs aboard. In the right inset are Mary and K.D. Williams, founders of Mary's Diner. In the stroller at left is Jesse Brooks.
Erected by Historic Murals of Danville.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.
Location. 36° 35.297′ N, 79° 23.584′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It is on North Union Street just south of Spring Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map.
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Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia and specifically in Central Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Home of Dan River Fabrics (within shouting distance of this marker); First State Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Two Centuries of Hotels (within shouting distance of this marker); Millionaires Row (within shouting distance of this marker); Danville's Civil Rights Movement (within shouting distance of this marker); The Last Capital of the Confederacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Danville, City Of Churches (within shouting distance
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 31, 2024
3. Danville's Streetcars Mural with the Transit Center in the background
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, December 10, 2024
4. Danville's Streetcars
A portrait of an early streetcar in Danville on display in the Danville Mall
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 14, 2024
5. Danville Streetcar hook
This hook from one of Danville's early streetcars is on display in the Danville Model Railroad clubroom located in the City Auditorium.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 784 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 25, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on December 5, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 4. submitted on December 14, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 5. submitted on September 3, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.
