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

Danville Riot/Danville Massacre, 1883

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, July 31, 2025

1. Danville Riot/Danville Massacre, 1883 Marker

Inscription. The biracial Readjuster Party gained control of the VA General Assembly in 1879 and of Danville’s city council in 1882. In Oct. 1883, White citizens distributed the Danville Circular denouncing African American political power. A local Readjuster official publicly condemned the circular on 2 Nov. The next day, an argument between a White man and two Black men escalated into a fight here, outside the Opera House. White men fired guns, and at least one White and four Black men were killed. Democrats, blaming the violence on African Americans, won control of the General Assembly days later, leading to the demise of the Readjuster Party and an end to Black political power in VA until the 1960s.

Erected 2024 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q 54.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical date for this entry is November 3, 1883.

Location. 36° 35.288′ N, 79° 23.482′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It is on Main Street (Virginia Route 293) north of North Market Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is

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at or near this postal address: 332 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 South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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: The Wreck of Old 97 (within shouting distance of this marker); Danville's Textile Industry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The World's Best Tobacco Market (about 400 feet away); Japan Tobacco International (about 400 feet away); Early History of 119-121 South Union Street (about 400 feet away); Early Settlement of Danville (about 500 feet away); Two Centuries of Hotels (about 500 feet away); Home of Dan River Fabrics (about 500

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, July 31, 2025

2. Danville Riot/Danville Massacre, 1883 Marker

feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, July 31, 2025

3. Danville Riot/Danville Massacre, 1883 Marker

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, July 31, 2025

4. Danville Riot/Danville Massacre, 1883 Marker

Prior to unveiling on July 31, 2025

Location of former Opera House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, July 31, 2025

5. Location of former Opera House

Where the riot began.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 222 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 31, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.