Danville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Danville System

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2013

1. Danville System Marker

Inscription. On this site stood Neal's Warehouse where the "Danville System" of selling tobacco began in 1858. Previously tobacco had been sold by sample from hogsheads, but under the new system it was sold at auction in open, loose piles so buyers could examine the whole lot. It is in general use today.

Erected 1969 by Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number Q 5-d.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 36° 35.211′ N, 79° 23.525′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It is at the intersection of South Union Street and Patton Street, on the left when traveling south on South Union Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 420 Patton Street, Danville VA 24541, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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.

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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: Early History of 119-121 South Union Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Bloody Monday (within shouting distance of this marker); Harry Wooding (within shouting distance of this marker); True Friends Of Charity (within shouting distance of this marker); Danville's Civil Rights Movement (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Two Centuries of Hotels (about 400 feet away); Millionaires’ Row (about 400 feet away); Danville, City Of Churches (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Lady Astor Rose (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

S Union St & Patton St image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2013

2. S Union St & Patton St

Patton St & S Union St image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2013

3. Patton St & S Union St

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 30, 2024

4. Danville System Marker

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 30, 2024

5. Danville System Marker

Facing north.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 30, 2024

6. Danville System Marker

Facing south.

Patton St. and S. Union St. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, December 12, 2024

7. Patton St. and S. Union St.

Tobacco Auctions image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 17, 2024

8. Tobacco Auctions

Under the Danville System, tobacco was sold at auction in open, loose piles as can be seen in this portrait on Display in the Danville Mall.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, December 10, 2024

9. Tobacco Auctions

Danville's tobacco auctions were one of the few places where white and black citizens were permitted to intermingle during the Jim Crow era, as can be seen in this portrait on display in the Danville Mall.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,225 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on December 18, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 16, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 20, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 7, 8, 9. submitted on February 1, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.