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

Two Centuries of Hotels

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, March 18, 2022

1. Two Centuries of Hotels Marker

Inscription. The northwest corner of Main and Union Streets has hosted hotels since the 1820s. The Red Castle Inn (CA. 1829) was replaced by the Arlington Hotel in 1869. In 1891, the Arlington was demolished and the Hotel Burton, one of the finest hotels in Danville at the time, was built in its place. The Hotel Burton was replaced in 1962 by the modern Downtowner Motor Inn, which was demolished in 2012.

(captions) The Hotel Burton • The Downtowner Motor Inn

Erected 2016 by City of Danville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 36° 35.261′ N, 79° 23.57′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It can be reached from the intersection of Main Street (Route 293) and North Union Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Main 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

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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: Danville's Civil Rights Movement (here, next to this marker); Millionaires’ Row (a few steps from this marker); Danville, City Of Churches (a few steps from this marker); The Last Capital of the Confederacy (a few steps from this marker); Home of Dan River Fabrics (within shouting distance of this marker); Danville's Streetcars (within shouting distance of this marker); "Opera House Alley" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Early History of 119-121 South Union Street (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.

More about this marker. This Marker is one of five historic markers installed by the City of Danville adjacent to HOME Plaza in 2016.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 31, 2024

2. Two Centuries of Hotels Marker

Hotel Burton image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 17, 2024

3. Hotel Burton

The now-demolished Hotel Burton can be seen along the streetscape of this portrait, currently on display in the Danville Mall.

Downtowner Motel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, January 3, 2025

4. Downtowner Motel

A key and promotional stationary from the former Downtowner Hotel. The Downtowner was demolished in 2012 to construct HOME Plaza, where the Marker is located.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 250 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 28, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 4. submitted on January 3, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.