Schoolfield
Regarded as the largest, best-preserved factory town in the entire state of Virginia, Schoolfield was once home to thousands of textile workers. Just as the old Tennessee Ernie Ford song laments owing one’s soul to the company store, Schoolfield had a company store. As well as company housing, schools, health centers, recreational facilities, and more. Pretty much every resident in Danville either came from kin who lived in Schoolfield or are related to those who did. Dan River Mills and Schoolfield created the Danville way of life. Although the factories are now closed, many of the buildings still stand, and former Schoolfield residents have come together to preserve this amazing slice of Americana through creation of the Schoolfield Preservation Foundation. Under the leadership of foundation president Jim “Bo” Hyler, the foundation is creating a museum in what used to be the Schoolfield Welfare Building. In this piece, Hyler recalls what life was like growing up in Schoolfield.
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