There’s a lot to be thankful for in the Old West End – as individuals and as a district.
Not many people get to live in their favorite neighborhood while feeling the pride of preserving a historic home. For that, we’re especially thankful.
We’re thankful for the folks who had the wisdom to create the Old West End National Historic District back in 1972. We’re thankful for the Commission of Architectural Review that assures the district maintains its historic character. We’re thankful that our City Council and their administrators understand the importance of historic preservation to the well-being of our community.
We’re thankful for the new Old West End neighbors (see them) who have recently joined with us. They’re a diverse bunch hailing from all over the country and the world. We’re thankful for the visionaries who came before us and the friends that live here now (see them too). They all love old homes and are a support system for one another.
We’re thankful that with just a short walk we can see the best Victorian and Edwardian homes anywhere. We can also see them on the annual holiday tour. So many homes have retained their historic charm while employing modern conveniences. Thankfully, we have indoor plumbing, central heating, and air conditioning.
How many small neighborhoods have two museums? We’re thankful for the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History as well as the Langhorne House. We’re proud of our ties to Lady Nancy Langhorne Astor and Irene Langhorne Gibson.
We’re thankful for our many houses of worship. Seeing Main Street parked full on Sunday mornings (and Sutherlin Avenue on Friday evening) maintains our hopes for the future.
While we’re proud of our history, we’re thankful that the days of Jim Crow and segregation are in the rearview mirror. We’re thankful for our friends and neighbors of all colors, genders, and backgrounds.
More broadly, we’re thankful for what the City of Danville offers us. Where else can you have everything needed at an unhurried pace? Great restaurants, concerts, the farmers’ market, neighborhood stores, festivals, parks, trails. Let’s not forget the brewery. The list goes on and on. We have big city amenities, a small-town feel, and a low cost of living. Who could want more?
At the Old West End Gazette, we’re thankful for the many resources that help us do our work – the books about Danville, the historic archives, and the photos of what used to be. We’re thankful for the internet access that lets us see newspaper archives, city directories, and family trees. We’re even thankful for spellchecker most of the time. And we’re thankful for the one thousand people who like what we do and read our stories.
I’m personally thankful for the holiday season when we get to see our friends and loved ones. And I’m especially thankful that we’re only one month from December 22 – the date when daylight starts to become longer instead of shorter.
Yes, we have a lot to be thankful for. Remember to pause next Thursday to be thankful for all that we have.
