Danville, Texas was once a thriving farming community that existed from 1840 to the early 1870s. Early Texas settlers, many who fought at the battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836 and won Texas’ independence from Mexico, established it.
During its peak between 1850 and 1860, Danville boasted a population of 1,000 making it the second largest town in Montgomery County, Texas. This area of the county was home to many plantations built on fertile land near the San Jacinto River. Danville had three churches, two physicians and fourteen businesses including a hotel, saloon, several mercantile stores, two blacksmiths, saddlery, post office, apothecary, cotton gin and Masonic Lodge.
Sam Houston is credited with naming the lodge: San Jacinto Lodge #106. On September 11, 1856, the townspeople of Danville honored Sam Houston, who often passed through town while traveling to Montgomery, Texas, the county seat, with a barbecue. Sam Houston resided in Huntsville (about 20 miles north of Danville).
Texas became a militia state when the Civil War broke out and men from the surrounding areas joined the Danville men to form the Danville Mounted Riflemen. They were charged with the protection of their families and property from an invasion by the North. Later this group became Company B of the 24th Regiment of the Texas Calvary, and mustered in Hempstead, about 50 miles west.
Moreover, recovering from the financial and personal losses it incurred during the Civil War, Danville was abandoned in the early 1870′s during the period of Restoration. The final event that doomed Danville was the re-routing of its main thoroughfare. The Old Houston Road originally ran through the middle of town from Huntsville to Houston, but was re-routed five miles east in order to align near the Houston-North American Railroad line. The re-routed road is now Texas Highway 75 locally known as Frazier. The new railroad line and highway helped to establish the town of Willis, and later Conroe.
Cut off from commerce, Danville’s businesses had no choice but to relocate. Many residents and businesses relocated to the new town of Willis. Still in existence today is the Methodist Church and San Jacinto Lodge #106, founded by former residents of Danville.