Danville, Illinois

Danville is home to 32,034 residents and is located east of Champaign-Urbana on Interstate 74. From the 1850s to the 1940s, Danville was an important coal-mining area; some of the first open pit mining techniques were practiced here.  The former mines were converted into lakes, creating fishing and recreation opportunities at parks such as Kickapoo State Recreation Area.

Dick Van Dyke starred in “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “Diagnosis: Murder,” and Jerry Van Dyke is best known for his role in “Coach.” Also considered from Danville, though he was on the vaudeville road a lot as a kid, is the late Donald O´Connor, who starred in “Singin´ in the Rain.” Gene Hackman, the two-time Oscar winner and author also calls Danville his hometown.