Danville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Danville's Textile Industry
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, August 16, 2024
1. Danville's Textile Industry Marker
Danville's textile industry began in the late 19th century on the banks of the Dan River. Riverside Cotton Mills, later to become Dan River Cotton Mills in 1909, was the largest textile mill in the South. By 1940, the mill employed 14,000 workers, most of whom lived in Danville, a City of 40,000 people at the time. The textile industry began to decline around 1960, as imported textiles gained ground in the United States. In 2006, Dan River, Inc. was purchased by a foreign company. The main mill was closed, and Danville's textile activities came to an end.
Erected 2014 by City of Danville.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location. 36° 35.302′ N, 79° 23.416′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It can be reached from the intersection of Main Street (Route 293) and Bridge Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 Main Street, Danville VA 24541, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia and specifically
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The World's Best Tobacco Market (a few steps from this marker); Japan Tobacco International (a few steps from this marker); Early Settlement of Danville (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wreck of Old 97 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Dan River (within shouting distance of this marker); Wynne's Falls (within shouting distance of this marker); Dan River Inc. Mills (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Danville Riot/Danville Massacre, 1883 (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.
More about this marker. This Marker is one of six historic markers installed within Main Street
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 31, 2024
2. Danville's Textile Industry Marker
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, December 10, 2024
3. Danville Textile Industry
Dan River Mills, based in Danville, was an important part of Danville's textile industry, as explained by this display at the Danville Mall.
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 17, 2024
4. Dan River Mills
The largest textile mill operated by Dan River Mills was known as the White Mill, pictured here at the Danville Mall.
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 5, 2024
5. The White Mill
Now a mixed use development named Dan River Falls.
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, December 10, 2024
6. National Tobacco and Textile Museum
Danville once hosted an entire museum dedicated to the textile industry as well as to the tobacco industry, both key components to Danville's historic growth. A portrait of the former museum can be seen at the Danville Mall.
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, December 10, 2024
7. Danville Knitting Mill
The Danville Knitting Mill was located on Lynn Street, just a few blocks from the Marker, as shown in this portrait on display in the Danville Mall.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 422 times since then and 66 times this year. Last updated on April 29, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 28, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 7. submitted on February 22, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
