Danville, California

Danville is a city located in a part of Contra Costa County, California called the San Ramon Valley, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 41,715.

Related Topics:
Contra Costa County, California - San Ramon Valley - United States - 2000

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It is in the local area still referred to as the Town of Danville and it still preserves the characteristics of a town — being compact, largely self sufficient as far as shopping goes, and having only a single commercial center. Its downtown is noted for its somewhat rustic charm, intensively upgraded owing to its now extremely affluent demographics and its popularity as a regional destination for dining and light shopping. It does not have its own hospital, being well served by nearby regional medical centers, nor, with the exception of a Costco location near its boundary with San Ramon, does it host the "heavy shopping" provided by shopping malls located in nearby cities to the north or south. Danville's main street is Hartz Avenue in downtown Danville.

Related Topics:
Costco - San Ramon

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Every Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Danville hosts a farmer's market, where merchants gather under makeshift tents and umbrellas to sell a wide variety of goods. One can buy all sorts of fresh goods from the market, from freshly grown fruits and vegetables, to kettle corn, to baking goods, to flowers, to drinks, to olive oil, to the services of a musician who usually entertains people passing by. The market can be found on a weekly basis right next to the local Andronico's store.

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The Iron Horse Trail runs through Danville. Extending all the way from Dublin to Concord, the trail passes right through this town. Bikers, skaters, and joggers usually find the Trail a source of outdoor recreation and exercise. Furthermore, the Trail is relatively isolated from the heavy traffic on the main road; so it's a safe path to travel on.

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The Danville library hosts a number of community events, such as the annual Halloween activities for kids and booksales.

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Danville is named, in part, after Daniel Inman, who bought 400 acres (1.6 km²) there in 1854 with his brother Andrew, using their Gold Rush earnings. They rejected the name "Inmanville" and settled on Danville. However, "According to the modest Dan, the name was chosen as much or more out of respect for Andrew's mother-in-law, who was born and raised near Danville, Ky.," says one historical account. It was initially a farming community, switching from wheat to fruits and nuts after the Southern Pacific Railroad built a spur line throughthe area in 1891. It developed as a residential suburb starting in 1947, when the first sizeable housing tracts were constructed, and its population boomed in the 1970s and 1980s.

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