The History of Danville, California

Danville ‘s history has been one of transition and prosperity for over 130 years. Sometimes referred to as the “Heart of the Valley of San Ramon,” Danville was first settled by the Bay Miwok Indians who lived next to the creeks and camped in the summer on Mount Diablo. It later developed into a farm field. The area was settled by miners during the Gold Rush in 1849 and that was when the town got its name.

A post office was opened in Danville soon afterwards. As word spread of California ‘s success, more people started moving into the area. With its fertile soil and mild weather, it was considered ideal by farmers and Danville became a farming city. The key product was wheat for a long time, but after the Southern Pacific Railroad was established the farmers switched to fruit and nuts. Their goods could now be shipped faster and more easily – which spurred the move. The money went rolling in.

Danville was soon to have schools, churches, farmers’ unions, and lodges. Some of the buildings that were designed at that time still exist to this day. One example of this is the Grange Hall, constructed in 1874.

What the 20th century was not the best of times with the conflicts, the Spanish flu and the Great Depression. However, the town was established in 1947 as a suburban suburb, which later in the century led to population development. In the 1940s agriculture was Danville’s primary occupation.

In 1940 the population of the Valley was 2,120. It rose to 4,630, in 1950. In 1970, Danville ‘s population shot to 14,059, a rise of over 292 per cent from the previous decade, according to the U.S. consensus. Danville developed slowly.

The Danville Post Office opened as the first postmaster in 1860, with hotel owner Henry W Harris. In 1862, Harris recorded that twenty people lived properly in the area, with 200 ballots casted in the last general election. Hearing tales of California ‘s growth, people from the midwest and east started settling in Danville and the surrounding valleys. Most of the new settlers had been farmers and considered the valley land to be fertile and the weather to be good, an ideal place to settle altogether. The census of 1869 numbered nearly 1,800 people in the areas of Danville and Lafayette combined. They squatted or bought land from Mexican owners and other owners, and set up ranches, farms and businesses.