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

Danville Tobacco Warehouse and Residential District

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2013

1. Danville Tobacco Warehouse and Residential District Marker

Inscription. This area formed the economic core of 19th-century Danville. Founded in 1793 at Wynne’s Falls on the Dan River to facilitate tobacco inspection, Danville became a regional center of activity because of the river and later the railroad. Situated in an area especially well-suited for the cultivation of bright leaf tobacco, the city became a major tobacco manufacturing center. Textile mills were built in the 1880s, partially financed by the profits from the booming tobacco industry. This district, composed of both industrial buildings and residences, was listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register in 1980 and the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Erected 2012 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q 5-n.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: 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 1793.

Location. 36° 35.215′ N, 79° 23.346′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It is on Craghead Street west of Wislon Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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: Tobacco Heritage Mural (a few steps from

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this marker); The Worsham Street Bridge (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Confederate Prison No. 6 (about 500 feet away); Prison Number 6 (about 500 feet away); Wynne's Falls (about 500 feet away); The Dan River (about 600 feet away); Early Settlement of Danville (about 600 feet away); Japan Tobacco International (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2013

2. Danville Tobacco Warehouse and Residential District Marker

Tobacco Warehouse District Marker and nearby Tobacco Heritage Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 31, 2024

3. Tobacco Warehouse District Marker and nearby Tobacco Heritage Mural

Tobacco Warehouse District image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 27, 2024

4. Tobacco Warehouse District

This historic district includes a heavy concentration of late-nineteenth and early twentieth century brick warehouses, factories, and prizeries used by the local tobacco industry.

Tobacco Warehouse District Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, February 14, 2025

5. Tobacco Warehouse District Sign

R. J. Reynolds Smokestack image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 22, 2024

6. R. J. Reynolds Smokestack

The bricks in this imposing smokestack remain a permanent advertisement for R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., which previously operated a tobacco factory at this site. This smokestack is a contributing architectural feature in the historic district.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,305 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 16, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on December 5, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on February 22, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 6. submitted on February 23, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.