Danville, Washington

How Danville is governed

Danville appears to be an unincorporated community or a census-designated place, so it may have no city government of its own — services usually come from Ferry County and its elected officials. The chart below is a generic template; readers can correct it if Danville does have local officials.

Form of government not yet listed.

0 of 14 positions listed. Gray dashed boxes are placeholders waiting for a name.

• Mayor

  Executive

  Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this

  The city's chief elected official. Presides over the executive branch, proposes the budget and represents the city.

  • City Manager / Administrator

    Executive

    Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this

    The professional administrator who runs day-to-day operations (in some cities appointed by the council instead of the mayor).

    • Police Chief

      Administration & departments

      Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this

      Leads the police department.

    • Fire Chief

      Administration & departments

      Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this

      Leads the fire and emergency services department.

    • Public Works Director

      Administration & departments

      Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this

      Streets, water, sewer, and city buildings.

    • Finance Director

      Administration & departments

      Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this

      The budget, taxes, and city accounts.

    • Planning & Zoning Director

      Administration & departments

      Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this

      Land use, zoning, building permits.

    • Parks & Recreation Director

      Administration & departments

      Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this

      Parks, programs, and public facilities.

• City Council

  Legislative

  Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this

  The elected body that passes ordinances, sets the tax rate and approves the budget.

  • City Clerk

    Administration & departments

    Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this

    Keeps the official records, runs meeting agendas and, often, local elections.

  • City Attorney

    Administration & departments

    Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this

    The city's lawyer; advises officials and prosecutes ordinance violations.

  • Boards & Commissions

    Legislative

    Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this

    Citizen advisory bodies, such as planning, zoning appeals and library boards.

• Municipal Court

  Judicial

  Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this

  Hears traffic, ordinance and other minor cases.

  • Municipal Judge

    Judicial

    Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this

    Presides over the municipal court.

Looking for your county, state and federal representatives too? See who represents 99121 or everyone in Washington.

Population over time

From 34 in 2010 to 51 in 2020 (+50.0%).

History

Early community

Although the Nelsons are considered the pioneer merchants, the claim of operating the first store at the locality is unsubstantiated. Apparently, in the early 1890s, Dennis Peone ran a store from his home, which also provided accommodation for passing visitors. Some individuals envious of the family's farming success resorted to arson. The post office opened around 1896, storekeeper P.B. Nelson being the inaugural postmaster. By that winter, businesses included the William Clark butcher shop, Woodward & Bellow saloon, and Downs hotel.

In 1897, the townsite was laid out, and J.Y. Jaskulek opened a general store with a jewelry and watch repair section. McCarter and Hull published the Reservation Record newspaper 1897–1898, lasting less than a year, before relocating to Eureka camps (Republic). Around 1898, John Sucksmith opened a sawmill, but died in a boating accident about four years later. E.A. Garner, who bought the mill, died of heart attack in 1904.

In 1900, fire destroyed Peter Nelson's store. Rebuilding, he experienced serious financial problems a few years later. In 1905, a new syndicate bought the mill, which produced 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) of lumber daily. Retail relocations the next year were J. Jaskulek to Spokane, and P.B. Nelson to two doors from the post office store, which John H. Grunwell had acquired. J. Bell & Co appears to have bought the Jaskulek store. Arson was suspected in the 1907 fire that destroyed Wm. Sands' blacksmith shop.

About 1911, Danville Lumber & Milling opened a general store. By 1913, the mill, which produced 50,000 feet (15,240 meters) of lumber daily, was one of the three larger producers in the area.

Prohibition and the aftermath

In the 1920s, increased prosperity returned to Danville with Prohibition. Danville became a rendezvous for whiskey smugglers, who employed local guides familiar with the old trails to avoid detection by border authorities. When Prohibition ended, Danville entered a decline. A series of fires also took their toll. Old Man Jennings, the justice of the peace, was rumored to have counterfeited half dollars.

Later community

In 1990, immediately north of Danville, a fuel, food, and lodging complex was built, comprising 10 motel units, a restaurant, convenience store, and gas station. Like most smaller border communities, 90 per cent of the trade has been from visiting Canadians traditionally. In 2021, the enterprise was listed for sale. It reopened under new ownership in 2022.

As of 2023, a post office exists in Danville proper. Danville Hall, a volunteer fire department, is a satellite station of Ferry-Okanogan County Fire Protection District 14.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Other cities in Washington

• Seattle 737,015
• Spokane 228,989
• Tacoma 219,346
• Vancouver 190,915
• Bellevue 151,854
• Kent 136,588
• Everett 110,629
• Renton 106,785

All Washington cities →