The Charming Small Town In Illinois That Was Home To Dick Van Dyke Once Upon A Time
By Jackie Ann|Updated on April 14, 2024(Originally published August 15, 2022)
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Jackie Ann
Author
Louisiana native and LSU Alum (Geaux Tigers!), Jackie has lived in Louisiana for over three decades and currently lives in New Orleans. She's been writing for OnlyInYourState since 2016 and can often be found with a coffee at her side, dreaming of her next adventure.
There are so many famous people from Illinois, it’s almost like there’s something in the water. While many celebrities hail from bigger cities like Chicago, there’s one charming small town in Illinois that was once home to one of the greatest legends of television and film: Dick Van Dyke.
With a population that hovers around 30,000, Danville, Illinois may not seem like a small town, but that doesn’t even put it in the top 50 largest cities in the state.
To put it in perspective, the largest city in Illinois, Chicago, has about 2.7 million residents. To round out the top three: second place goes to Aurora with 177,000 residents and Naperville gets the bronze with a population of 151,000.
This charming little town right on the Illinois-Indiana border is home to scenic parks, historic buildings, and one very special honor...
Before he became a household name after being cast as Rob Petrie on the Dick Van Dyke Show, Van Dyke began his entertainment career right here in Danville.
He actually thought about a career in the ministry, but after taking a drama class in high school, he found his calling. The local high school even named the auditorium after him.
Danville is the perfect town for a casual day trip.
The downtown district features several murals done by local artists, adding a vibrant splash of color to your adventure.
Did you know that Dick Van Dyke is from this small town in Illinois? Have you visited?
What’s your favorite Dick Van Dyke TV show or film? I love Mary Poppins and still have the record album – with photos on both sides – from when I was little.
Dick Van Dyke isn’t the only person Illinois can claim as their own. Here are 13 more celebrities from Illinois you might not know about.
