The history of Danville is the history of its river.
Built by Dan River Inc. in 1920, the iconic White Mill – now known as Dan River Falls, is one of the last remaining physical expressions of Danville’s role as a textile-manufacturing powerhouse.
The five-story, 550,000-square-foot building was originally known as Mill No. 8 and operated from 1921 through 1996, encompassing 18-plus acres on the south bank of the Dan River.
A reimagining
steeped in history
The massive, reinforced-concrete structure was designed in a simplified Gothic Revival architectural style by Lockwood, Greene & Company, and serves as an example of the dramatic changes in mill architecture following World War I. Whereas textile mills were previously brick buildings, the increasing difficulty in obtaining huge timbers combined with the new technology of reinforced concrete brought about a building revolution. Also contributing to the change was the increased heaviness of mill machinery and its stronger vibrations and faster runing speeds, placing a greater stress on mill structures.
Completion of Mill No. 8 marked the beginning of a new era for Dan River Inc.’s riverside textile division, and an important transition in Danville’s industrial economy from tobacco to textile production. When Mill No. 8 opened on Thanksgiving Day in 1921, Dan River Inc. officials announced that the mill housed “the most modern equipment in the most modern mill in the United States.” The mill’s first floor contained dyeworks and slashers, with the upper floors housing looms and other weaving equipment.
Today, Dan River Falls stands as the lone survivor of Danville’s first industrial center for textile manufacturing and remains an integral part of the city’s architectural fabric, contributing significantly to the character of its historic urban core.
It’s with great pride and honor that we work to return this iconic piece of Danville history to the city it was built to serve.
Share Your Stories
We want to hear your stories about you and your loved ones’ touchpoints with Dan River Falls. Did you work there? Your mother or father as well? Share your memories with us so we can incorporate them in a meaningful way.