Preservation Online: Preservation 911 Archives: Tobacco City Buildings Need Repair

From Preservation Online, the online magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

www.preservationonline.org

Historic Tobacco City Buildings Need Repair

Readers seek help for preservation emergencies / Dec. 18, 2001

Dear Preservation 911,

Danville, Va., is well known for initiating the current tobacco auctioning system, better known as the Danville System. Although many of its Victorian houses, mills, and warehouses remain, many other buildings are in dire need of repair.

One of these is the Belk-Leggett building, a department store built in 1901. In 1995 a twister went through downtown’s main street and ripped off the facing of the building. It is now estimated to cost $250,000 to repair it, and the city is in great need of funds.

The second threatened site in Danville is a historic vaudeville theater built in 1919. With 750 seats, it was the largest theater on the East Coast between New York City and Atlanta. The building desperately needs repair and reiteration. It is currently a gift shop. The owner has let the roof leak, which has ruined the murals on the ceiling, and the balcony has been torn off.

If you know of any people who would like to help or donate funds, please contact Dorothy Nesbitt at dtndan@juno.com or call the Downtown Danville Association in Danville, Va.

Sincerely,

Jonathan T. Hackworth
Danville, Va.

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