Walk along Craghead Street in Danville’s River District, and you will discover cozy coffee shops, trendy apartments, local retailers, and miles of the scenic Riverwalk Trail. This vibrant revitalization is the result of decades of hard work, strategic partnerships, community involvement, and passionate entrepreneurs and leaders.
With the River District’s success, community leaders have set their sights on the transformation of a nearby area: the historic Schoolfield District.
Throughout the 20th century, Dan River Mills was a textile manufacturing powerhouse, supporting thousands of Danville residents with employment, housing, and financial security. The Schoolfield District was at the heart of this industry and home to a regional headquarters building, a “Village” consisting of houses, recreational facilities, and churches, and an 82-acre mill site.
After years of a thriving textile economy, Dan River Mills eventually closed its doors and the district faced years of decline. How could community leaders breathe new life into this region?
Community engagement has played a crucial role in understanding the future of Schoolfield. In October of 2022, residents were invited to share their thoughts on new design concepts, view renderings, and provide feedback on new branding of the area including a logo. The event captured the enthusiasm of nearby residents and business owners to become involved in the planning process. The data collected through surveys and community feedback led to The Schoolfield District Master Plan unveiling at the beginning of 2023. This plan focused on preserving the area’s legacy while plotting out its bright future and highlights three key pillars: leveraging current historic assets, improving the quality of life for residents, and attracting new visitors and businesses. With a blueprint of how available properties can be reimagined into a vibrant social hub, community leaders were ready to drive change in this district.
This past December, Caesars Virginia, Danville’s destination casino and resort, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting among community leaders and state partners. Since then, over $10 million of gaming revenue has been collected by the City of Danville and invested towards community projects, including park improvements, tourism expansion, small business support programs, and quality of housing. View transparent funding reports at https://www.danville-va.gov/2508/Casino-Funding.
Samantha Bagbey, Project Manager of the Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism, reflects on the transformation of the district. “Schoolfield has so much history and we are thrilled to be part of shedding light to this district with a focus on future and current residents. We are prioritizing the care of current residents to ensure they are not displaced, opportunities for new community members to get plugged into the region, and the creation of more places for visitors to dine, shop, play, and fall in love with not only Schoolfield, but the entire Danville community.”
Today, take a stroll along West Main Street and discover newly branded banners, dine at Ramsay’s Kitchen or The Schoolfield Restaurant, shop for a new wardrobe at Foxglove Clothing or Linden Rose Boutique, watch a performance at Caesars Virginia, or view construction of The Laurel Hotel.
A New Schoolfield is just on the horizon, and we are thrilled to share this journey with you.
Read the original article here (Showcase Magazine, June 2025)
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