History of Danville Main Page
This page is maintained by Terri Cook as part of the USGenWeb Project.
©2001. Terri Cook. All rights reserved.

Danville Past and Present
Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania
A Collection of
Historical And Biographical Sketches,
By: D. H. B. Brower
Harrisburg, PA.:
Lane S. Hart, Printer and Binder
1881

Sageburg

     Sageburg, sometimes called East Danville, is perhaps the most
enterprisng as well as the most beautiful section of this borough,
and mainly constitutes the Second ward.  From the ward line on
Market street, it extends for half a mile or more up the river and is
covered with various iron manufactories on the left and dotted over
 with handsome residences on the right, between Market street and
the river bank.


     Sageburg did not however derive its name for the peculiar wis-
dom or sage appearance of its inhabitants, for they are as lively and
pleasant and seem to be as "gay and happy" as any other com-
munity.  Indeed they appear to have more taste than common, if
we may judge by the elegance of their dwellings, the neatness of
their premises and the peculiar charm of their surroundings   The
picturesque beauty of a vine-clad residence on the banks of the Sus-
quehanha, almost in the shadow of Blue hill, that lifts its lotty
crest for hundreds of feet above the majestic stream, can only be
painted by the pencil of the artist or the pen of the poet.

     Many years ago, only a single log building occupied the territory
now known as Sageburg.  In this building an old man by the name
of Sage followed the coopering business.  Not very poetic indeed
but he was a quaint and curious specimen of the genus homo.  Be-
ing a bachelor and anxious no doubt, like all the race of man,  to
leave behind him some memorial more substantial than a flour bar-
rel to perpetuate his name, and evidently anticipating a brighter
future for the locality, he gave it the name of "Sageburg," by
which it is know at the present time, though it then contained
only the one building and that a cooper-shop.  But the prospective
growth of Danville in the distant future no doubt was dimly ap-
parent to the old pioneer.  He has long since passed away.  His
shop is now more and the skillful workmanship of his hands is for-
gotten.  But his name still survives by courtesy, though it has no
legal recognition.  Other portions of the territory have since been
known by different names, originating form different sources, such
as Snydertown, Lundy's Lane, Amsterdam and Kulp's Eddy, but
all are included in the general name of Sageburg.

     Sageburg has become one of the most stirring portions of Dan-
ville.  The price of property is advancing and in no part of the 
town can you find so many handsome dwellings, surrounded by
shubbery and all the adornments that make pleasant and happy
homes.  The business establishments that have sprung up on the line
of the railroad, the prospective free bridge, the advantages and
beauty of the location, and above all the enterprise of the inhab-
itants, conspire to immortalize the name of the old cooper, whose
 highest ambition was to make a good flour barrel and dub the old
wooden shop with the name his father gave him.

     Sageburg, or East Danville, though partially cut off from direct
trade with the surrounding country on either side of the river, has
outgrown all other portions of the town.  In all its improvement,
thrift, enterprise and taste are happily blended.  It manufactories
teem with the fruits of industry; its elegant residences and cot-
tages, where fruits, flowers and the clinging vines in their season
lend a charm to the scene, make it the favorite ground for summer
promenading.  It is the care bestowed upon their adornments that
give it a rural beauty, combined with the advantages afforded by a 
town.

     Among the public institutions of Sageburg, or East Danville, apart
from the religious or educational, is the "Washington Fire Com-
pany."  They have a handsome building on Market street, and are
always prompt at the tap of the bell as well as efficient in action.
Their hall is furnished in excellent style and decorated with peculiar
taste, rendering it one of the most pleasant places to spend a social
hour or to meet for mental improvement.  Among the oldest in the
fire department is Ex-chief William C. Walker, but still among the
most active, always prompt on time and ready for duty.

     The general intelligence, public spirit and social order of Sage-
burg, like its external beauty, thrift and enterprise, will compare
favorably with any other locality of equal population.

     Perhaps the handsomest building in that quarter is the "Cottage
drug store."  This was built by D. C. Hartman about 1860 and is
now occupied by Doctor Jordan as a residence and also as an ex-
cellent drug store.


This page is maintained by Terri Cook as part of the USGenWeb Project.
©2001. Terri Cook. All rights reserved.