Danville

Chartered in 1786, Danville served as the shire town of Caledonia County from its earliest days and retains that role. The town sits on a broad hilltop with views stretching toward the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and its green — one of the largest in Vermont — is anchored by a white church, the county courthouse, and Haskins' general store. The American Society of Dowsers headquartered here for many years, giving Danville a quirky distinction among Vermont towns.

Danville is home to about 2,270 people. The surrounding farmland supports dairy and diversified agriculture, and the village of West Danville, at the outlet of Joe's Pond, draws seasonal residents and vacationers. Joe's Pond is famous across the state for its annual ice-out contest, where residents bet on the exact moment the ice leaves the lake each spring. As the county seat, Danville takes civic life seriously. Town Meeting in March is well attended, and the selectboard governs a community that has served as Caledonia County's administrative center for nearly 240 years.