I have been a resident of Hendricks County since 2005 and thought I knew the area pretty well, but I was really wrong — especially when it came to Danville: the county seat.
Danville is in the eastern part of the county — west of Plainfield — and boasts around 9,000 residents. The town though, is going through a change. With the urban sprawl of Indianapolis continuing, Danville is establishing itself as a great place to live with some great new amenities. Food, art and shopping are all making Danville a wonderful place to visit and for many — especially in western Indiana — Danville is now a destination point.
Photographer Scott Graber and I spent a recent day in Danville and left with both of our jaws dropped and so surprised at how much this Hoosier town has to offer.
On our trip, we made several stops — all of them memorable.
One of the favorite hangouts in Danville is the Courthouse Grounds. The owners serve up a great cup of coffee, a hearty specialty of biscuits and gravy and a very popular Sunday brunch. Some of the regulars can’t wait for the annual appearance of Grandma Pete’s fruitcake — a wonderful Christmas treat for the café’s longtime fans.
The Beehive was our next stop — where we were amazed at the amount of Indiana honey specialties but to me, the best part of this visit was the mouth-watering pumpkin muffins that literally melted in my mouth. Betsy Bassett took her Dad’s love of beekeeping and transferred into a restaurant where they sweeten with honey as much as possible. It’s a staple of downtown Danville that also helps hurried moms with dinner by selling premade casseroles they can pop in the oven after soccer practice.
Sarah Fentz has been making custom jewelry for years and has been a fixture on Etsy with her wares. She has also been a hit at the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival but now, she has her own store and has drawn customers from all over the Midwest for her one of a kind jewelry, hats and clothes. She told me she loves the quaintness and friendliness of the people of this great town.
We especially loved visiting Forget-Me-Nots — a wonderful gift stores that is one of the most unusual places I have ever visited. This store and its owners specialize in repurposed Hendricks County barn wood. This small shop takes a long time to visit because you will be amazed at the artisan work on everything from kitchen tables to desks to decorative wall hangings. I put together a big list of Christmas wishes after this stop!
Finally we stopped by Gallery On The Square. Starting during the recession of 2009, this place has survived and thrived — showcasing the work of local artists from paintings to sculptures to books to jewelry. Two of the ladies we spoke with loved the location, the visitors from across the Midwest and the opportunity to showcase their work in such a convenient and nice space.
There is even more to visit in Danville, so take a trip and while you are there, drop in and enjoy the fried chicken at the world-famous Mayberry Café or grab a pizza at Dave’s All American Pizza — a place that has been serving families for decades — known for its good pizza and one-of-a-kind patriotic decor. Bread Basket is a quaint café and bakery owned by a mother-daughter duo. It’s tucked just off the town square and offers a delicious, freshly made breakfast and lunch menu. If that weren’t enough, enjoy a slice of pie, grab a cookie or take home a loaf of bread fresh from the oven.
Can’t help but love Danville — a place with an incredible past and a growing thriving future. Danville: our first stop on Chuck's Town Square Tour.
Check out more fun adventures in Hendricks County and across the state at VisitIndiana.com.