January 2022

Historical Locations:

High Street Baptist Church - (High Street Baptist Church Historic Marker)

226 N.Union Street - The Merritt Building

401 Patton Street - Danville Courthouse (Bloody Monday Historic Marker)

125 N. Floyd Street - City Auditorium

210 Ridge Street - Law Firm of William, Luck, Williams

In the 1960s the Danville, Virginia (specifically High Street, N. Union Street, and Spring Street) was the site of the city’s Black Business District and home to several individuals and organizations dedicated to the Civil Rights Movement in both the City of Danville and throughout the region. Many of the properties located in the area carry a rich history.

One example is the property where the Law Firm of William, Luck, Williams is currently located at 210 Ridge Street. Built in 1916, the building was originally owned by Attorney Jerry Williams Sr., a local Civil Rights attorney and former NAACP president. It is now owned by his son, Attorney Jerry Williams Jr. At the age of 14 Jerry Williams Jr staged a sit in at Ballou Park that would help lead to integration in Danville. 

Another important structure, High Street Baptist Church, was a safe haven during the Civil Rights Movement and also plays an important role in history.  In early 1963, Rev. Chase of High Street Baptist Church, along with two of his colleagues (Bishop Lawrence G. Campbell of Bibleway Church and Rev. AI Dunlap), formed the Danville Christian Progressive Association (DCPA).  The DCPA organized an event on March 26th, 1963 and invited Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr to speak.  Dr. King made his remarks that day at Danville City Auditorium  to a crowd of more than 2,500; it was here that he stated that Danville had one of the most brutal police forces he had ever seen.

A historic marker next to High Street Baptist Church states: "In 1865 emancipated African Americans withdrew from First Baptist Church, where they had worshiped from the balcony, and founded a congregation later known as High Street Baptist Church. Members erected their first sanctuary here in 1873. Fire destroyed that structure and its replacement, constructed in 1878. The present Romanesque Revival church was built in 1901. High Street Baptist served as a base for organizers of the local civil rights movement and hosted the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963. Pastor Lendell W. Chase was president of the Danville Christian Progressive Association, which coordinated nonviolent protests against segregation and discrimination.” The High Street Baptist Church congregation continues worship services today, and is currently served by Rev. Voight F. Hairston.  

The DCPA was housed in the Merrit Building, located at 226 N. Union Street.  This building, currently owned by business owner Ameer Nesmith, was built in 1912 and was previously owned by Mr. Bishop Merritt, an African American dentist whom the building was named after. In 1963 the building also housed the office of the Danville Christian Progressive Association (DCPA), who were affiliated with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).  The president of SCLC was the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and this location was the meeting place for Civil Rights groups in 1963. This portion of the building is still intact with the same brick facade from back then.

That same year (1963), protests that took place near City Hall on Patton Street would be remembered as “Bloody Monday” and are recognized by a historical marker on the site at 401 Patton Street. The marker reads "In the spring of 1963 local African American ministers and other leaders organized the Danville Movement to combat widespread racial segregation and discrimination. On 10 June, two demonstrations occurred. Police clubbed and fire-hosed the marchers, injuring at least 47 and arresting 60. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., offered protestors his “full, personal support” when he arrived in Danville on 11 July. The nonviolent protests, which became known as “Bloody Monday,” gained national news coverage before the 28 Aug. March on Washington co-led by the Rev. Dr. King. Both events swelled sentiment in favor of civil rights legislation."

Information and photos provided by Karice Luck-Brimmer of Our History Matters

River District Association is excited to begin announcing the projects of GET Boosted Grant Recipients! GET Boosted is a River District Association program that was developed to provide established River District Businesses with planning guidance and financial support to develop projects, or purchase equipment to give their business a boost and allow them to expand in creative ways.

Each business worked directly with River District Association and the Longwood Small Business Development Center to develop an idea and a plan, and were then invited to apply for grants up to $5,000 to put their plan into action.

The Brick Running and Tri Store is located at 410 Main Street and used GET Boosted funds to expand the store's products and services offerings to bikes, bike accessories, clothing, helmets and repair and tune-ups.

Owner Adam Jones was born and raised in Danville, VA. He remembers over ten years ago when the idea for The Brick started with a brainstorm on the back of a napkin while sitting in Red Lobster. And on April 14th, ten years ago, The Brick opened on Main Street in Danville, to be a business specializing in shoes, apparel, equipment and nutrition for walkers, runners and triathletes. Adam attributes the store’s success to his motto “people over profit” and focuses on how the store can provide great service, and also be a community hub where relationships and friendships are forged through the love of physical activity.  This community is built through running and walking groups and events such as community 5k’s. Currently groups meet at the store at the following times:

Group Runs: Tuesdays & Thursdays at 6:15pm
Group Walks: Wednesdays at 5:30pm

The Brick used the GET Boosted funds to expand products, services, and a sense of community to those who love biking! The Brick now sells three brands of bikes (Cannondale, GT, and Schwinn) as well as bike accessories, tires, pumps, apparel, and helmets.

Additionally, the funds allowed the store to purchase a bike stand and a full set of bike repair and tune-up tools. In addition to bikes and products, The Brick can also service or repair your bike.

For more information and to get connected, visit The Brick’s website and Facebook page. Happy running, walking, swimming, and biking!

River District Association is excited to begin announcing the projects of GET Boosted Grant Recipients!  GET Boosted is a River District Association program that was developed to provide established River District Businesses with planning guidance and financial support to develop projects, or purchase equipment to give their business a boost and allow them to expand in creative ways.  

Each business worked directly with River District Association and the Longwood Small Business Development Center to develop an idea and a plan, and were then invited to apply for grants up to $5,000 to put their plan into action.  

Impotters Clayworx is located at 406 Lynn Street and used GET Boosted grant funds to purchase a second kiln for the pottery studio. 

Owners Lori and Berkeley Bidgood have been doing pottery out of their home, and teaching classes at various locations downtown for years.  But in 2021 they had the opportunity to open a pottery studio space in the River District on Lynn Street.  The new studio allows them to create their own work, teach classes, and conveniently fire pottery in one space.  

Since May 2021 the Impotters Studio has been operating with one kiln.  Finished pottery pieces require two different firings, one for the plain clay piece (called a bisque firing), and one once the piece is glazed.  Each firing can take 24-36 hours to load, heat, cool and unload.  With one kiln, it was possible to do a firing every other day, which meant if classes were full, it could take weeks to cycle everyone’s pieces through the firing process.  

Impotter’s second kiln was installed in early December, just in time for Christmas presents!  With two kilns running, it is possible to fire every day, and stay on top of demand.  It also allows the Bidgoods to expand class offerings and studio access without having a backlog of unfinished pieces.  

Additionally, should the older kiln need repair and it could take several weeks to get parts.  Without a functioning kiln Impotters would have to shut down for the duration of the repairs.  With a second kiln in operation, they can continue to offer classes and create their own pieces.  

Impotters Clayworx offers 6 week classes, Saturday classes for adults and families, and Friday Try-it sessions.  They also host birthday parties or other private events for small groups.  There is something for everyone! Or, if you simply want to buy a lovely piece of pottery for yourself or for a gift, you can stop by the shop Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am - 5pm.  

Visit their website or Facebook page to see what classes are currently being offered. 

River District Association is excited to begin announcing the projects of GET Boosted Grant Recipients!  GET Boosted is a River District Association program that was developed to provide established River District Businesses with planning guidance and financial support to develop projects, or purchase equipment to give their business a boost and allow them to expand in creative ways.  

Each business worked directly with River District Association and the Longwood Small Business Development Center to develop an idea and a plan, and were then invited to apply for grants up to $5,000 to put their plan into action.  

Angela’s Creative Catering located at 401 Wilson Street, used GET Boosted funds to purchase an efficient, fast, and sanitizing dishwasher.  

Angela’s Creative Catering  offers event catering, and healthy dinners and boxed meals (for delivery or pick-up).  For the past 6 years owner Angela Blankenship ran the catering business out of the kitchen space.  But in 2020 she decided to take over the adjacent former VC Restaurant  space and transform it into an elegant modern event space that is frequently used for wedding receptions, bridal parties, rehearsal dinners, and celebrations of life.  With a full AV and sound system, the space is also ideal for corporate board meetings and events.  

The space's first event was set to be in April of 2020, but then the global pandemic hit, and Angela pivoted to providing more boxed and delivered meals.  Most of these meals used single-use packaging, but as things began to open up, and more events were planned, she and her team started to use the event space for more formal gatherings.  

Events such as wedding rehearsals, or corporate dinners use multiple dishes, glasses, and silverware for each attendee.  Hosting many events with 20 or more people required staff to spend several hours washing, rinsing and sanitizing.  With the help of the GET Boosted grant, Angela’s Creative Catering was able to purchase a small commercial dishwasher that can clean, sanitize, and dry 20 sets of dishes in 1 minute and 20 seconds!

Having an efficient commercial dishwasher will help Angela’s Creative Catering use staff more effectively, and enable them to host larger functions that might require more dishes. 

We love seeing River District businesses thrive!

To schedule an event, or order healthy meals visit the Angela's Creative Catering website.  

Read our latest newsletter, January in the River District.