Thursday Thirteen #401

Welcome to Danville, IL. I've long heard of Danville. Rob Petrie of The Dick Van Dyke Show often referred to it as his hometown. I thought it was a made-up TV place, like Bryant Park or Pine Valley. But Danville has been on the news a lot recently because it really was Gene Hackman's hometown. So I did a little investigating ...

1. It's 142 miles and approx 3 hours away from Chicago.

2. Abraham Lincoln once practiced law at the Vermilion County Courthouse in Danville.

3. In addition to Gene Hackman, celebrities born in Danville include cabaret performer Bobby Short, Jerry (Coach) Van Dyke, Donald (Singin' in the Rain) O'Connor and Dick Van Dyke. In Danville they are known as "The Famous Five."

4. The cultural heart of Danville is the Fischer Theater, which originally opened in 1884. The Famous Five came home in 1988 for a black-tie benefit to save the Fischer from the wrecking ball. 

At the fundraiser for the Fischer.

 

5. The above photo was displayed in Gene Hackman's Santa Fe home. After the theater renovation was completed, Dick Van Dyke returned to Danville to put his handprints in cement in front of the Fischer. Clearly this small-town theater meant a great deal to two world-famous performers.

6. The population of Danville is approx. 29,000.

7. The town is named for Dan Beckwith, He was one of the explorers who discovered a brine, or salt, spring in the river that runs through the area.

8. In the 19th century, residents supported themselves as fur traders and coal miners.

9. Today, Danville's major employers are in healthcare and retail.

10. Danville has a large VA medical center.

11. Students attend Danville Area Community College (DACC) and cheer the Danville Dans baseball team.

12. The holidays in Danville are special because of the annual Festival of Trees. This exhibit of more than 130 Christmas trees and wreaths raises funds for family healthcare initiatives. 

13. In summer there's Balloons over Vermilion. Crowds enjoy live music and food as they watch hot air balloons take off from Danville's Vermilion Regional Airport. Funds raised have benefited Danville public schools.

RIP, Gene Hackman.

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