Downtown – Danville, Kentucky
Masonic Building, 317 Main Street
This three-story, seven-bay building was built around 1870 to serve as a Masonic Hall with first floor retail. The building has housed a bank, a boot and shoe store, a haberdashery (men’s clothes), a jeweler, a pharmacy, and a business college. The Masonic Hall is exceptional in its Italianate detail. Over the narrow, arched windows, are elaborate, curved hood moldings. The three-dimensional brickwork – called corbeling – is squared on the second story and arched on the third.
Federal Building/Community Arts Center, 401 West Main Street
Arguably the construction of no other Danville building can top the fanfare and large crowds that appeared for the laying of the cornerstone for the Federal Building in 1909. Dedicated in 1911, the building originally served as government offices and the post office. The limestone building is one of Danville’s most unique architectural works with two-story Corinthian columns and pedimented window and entry hoods. The Community Arts Center restored the building in 2004.
Confederate Raids and Invasions and a Federal Retreat, in Kentucky
This unique state historical marker presents a map showing the routes of major raids and invasions during the U.S. Civil War.
Other historic buildings give a dignified appearance to Danville. This includes a pedimented building with cupola and bell tower. Another has a fleche on a square base with corbelling.
Other two and three story buildings create a sense of place in the downtown. Most are in excellent condition thanks to efforts to recognize and preserve their historic character.
While it is always best to have activated storefronts, this school or institutional building has graphics on the ground floor windows to reinforce Danville’s image as an arts town.
A&L Accessories has a well designed storefront. The addition of a bench and plantings outside further adds to the welcoming factor.
When communities achieve an attractive appearance it is not by accident. An inset sidewalk marker recognizes Campbell E. Miller (1918-1983), a “distinguished landscape architect” and “beloved son of Danville.”
One final detail that caught our eye were the 2 hour parking signs. Showing the design consciousness, rather than having garish street signs these markers are to delineate the time while adding an artistic and even sculptural element to the downtown.
