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38-576: The Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site , located in Danville, California , preserves Tao House , the Monterey Colonial hillside home of America's only Nobel Prize -winning playwright , Eugene O'Neill . Eugene O'Neill had won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1936, and used the prize money to build what he named Tao House above Danville. O'Neill and his wife lived in the home from 1937 to 1944. By

76-575: A Council–manager government , with a five-person Town Council and an appointed Town Manager. Council members' terms are four years. Each year, in December, the council selects a new mayor to take office in January. The current mayor of Danville is Karen Stepper. Danville has its own police department, which consists of 42 full-time employees, including 30 Officers and 12 civilian support staff. In addition, it has 8 Reserve officers and 32 volunteers. Allan Shields

114-464: A bank, drug store, saloon, doctor's office and Chinese laundry joined the houses lining the street. The Danville Hotel originally sat across from the station and was moved to face Hartz avenue in 1927. The twentieth century found Danville affected by the wars, the Spanish flu , the depression , and new immigrants. In 1910, a public high school district was organized and San Ramon Valley Union High School

152-470: A political party. Throughout its history until 2008, Danville was a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. Ronald Reagan carried it by a 3-to-1 margin in 1984. However, in 2008, Barack Obama became the first Democrat to carry Danville in a presidential election. He narrowly won it again in 2012 with a plurality. Hillary Clinton carried it in 2016 by nearly 24 points and Joe Biden won it by nearly 29 points in 2020. The Town of Danville has

190-574: Is located in the San Ramon Valley in Contra Costa County, California , United States. It is one of the incorporated municipalities in California that use "town" in their names instead of "city". The population was 43,582 at the 2020 census . Since 2018, for five consecutive years, Danville was named "the safest town in California". The Iron Horse Regional Trail runs through Danville. It

228-520: Is one of the wealthiest suburbs of Oakland and San Francisco . Danville also ranks as the 2nd highest-income place in the United States with a population of at least 40,000. It is home to some of the most expensive real estate in the San Francisco Bay Area and the United States. According to CNN Money , Danville's 94506 also has the fourth highest percentage of six-figure income earners in

266-798: Is the current police chief. The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District (SRVFPD) provides fire protection for Danville. A Special District, it covers 155 square miles includes the following communities: Alamo, Blackhawk, Diablo, the City of San Ramon, the southern boundary of Morgan Territory and the Tassajara Valley, all located in Contra Costa County. Danville Schools are included in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District . Las Trampas Regional Wilderness It consists of two long, hilly ridges (Las Trampas Ridge on

304-532: The Diablo Range to the east. The most prominent landmark of Danville is the backdrop of Mount Diablo , which stands to the east at 3,849 feet (1,173 m) and provides a picturesque backdrop for Danville and neighboring towns and cities. Sycamore Creek drains some of the Mount Diablo slopes and flows through Danville. To the north of Danville, the unincorporated town of Alamo sits in the uppermost reaches of

342-616: The Southern Pacific Railroad came to the Valley in 1891, Danville continued to grow. Farmers built warehouses and shipped crops by rail, and residents were able to travel to and from Danville. John Hartz sold 8.65 acres (3.50 ha) of his land for the Danville Depot and granted land access to the station. He then subdivided and sold lots east of the station, shifting the town's focus from Front Street to Hartz Avenue. Eventually,

380-692: The 1,760 feet (540 m) elevation, there is another trail that leads across EBMUD land. The trail leads to either the Valle Vista Staging Area on Canyon Road in Moraga, or south to the Chabot staging area in Castro Valley. Chamise and Bollinger Creek Loop trails lead to Las Trampas Ridge, east of Bollinger Creek.The ridge offers good views of the Ygnacio, San Ramon and Amador valleys, as well as Mt. Diablo and

418-534: The Carquinez Straits. There are two picnic areas, named Steelhead and Shady, near the parking lot. These are available on a first-come, first served basis and cannot be reserved. Reservable picnic sites for groups of 50 to 300 persons are at the nearby Little Hills Picnic Ranch . Bicycles are allowed on half of the trails; equestrians and hikers on all of the trails. Dogs are allowed. Cows, calves, steers and an occasional free-ranging bull can be encountered on

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456-555: The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, served the county from 1859 to 1868, until it burned down. Danville Presbyterian Church was dedicated in 1875. Many early Danville buildings remain standing today. The original 1874 Grange Hall exists as well, and the original Danville Hotel remains downtown which was last renovated in 2016. Many of the early pioneer names appear on the streets and schools, including Baldwin, Harlan, Wood, Love, Hemme, Boone, Bettencourt and Meese. When

494-554: The NPS. The establishment of Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site is justified by two reasons. First, the site is needed to commemorate Eugene O’Neill, one of the greatest writers in American literature. Eugene O’Neill lived in Tao House from 1937 to 1944, and wrote his most brilliant playwrights. Preserving Tao House will provide public memorial of the works of Eugene O’Neill and his life. Second,

532-494: The San Ramon Valley and extends into the surrounding hills. San Ramon , another affluent suburb, borders Danville to the south. Interstate 680 , extending along the valley to the north and south, is the main route used by traffic in and out of town. Camino Tassajara is the main thoroughfare for east–west travel, most importantly to reach the eastern subdivisions far from the interstate. Camino Tassajara also provides access to

570-456: The San Ramon Valley", Danville was first populated by Native Americans who lived near creeks and camped on Mount Diablo in the summer. Later, it was part of Mission San José 's grazing land as well as a Mexican land grant called Rancho San Ramon . Initially a farming community, the Town of Danville switched from wheat to fruits and nuts after the Southern Pacific Railroad built a spur line through

608-463: The adjacent barn. The National Park Service does not publish the address of the property, but it is widely known that it is located near Kuss Road in Danville. A locked gate prevents unauthorized vehicles from reaching the site. The Site occupies 13 acres (5.3 ha) accessible via car only by private road, so advance reservations are required to visit. Private vehicles are not allowed. Transportation to

646-405: The area in 1891. It developed as a residential suburb in 1947 when the first sizable housing tracts were constructed and its population boomed in the 1970s and 1980s. The Danville Post Office opened in 1860 with hotel owner Henry W. Harris as the first postmaster. Churches, schools, farmers unions and fraternal lodges began as the community grew. The Union Academy, a private high school begun by

684-473: The east and Rocky Ridge on the west) flanking a narrow valley along Bollinger Creek, which contains a horse stable and visitor parking. Some of the hiking trails include steep sections; they can involve as much as 900 feet (270 m) of elevation change. The park has been described as "the tough guy of the East Bay Regional Park District." Vegetation on the southern and western slopes of

722-549: The home. The two personally designed the two-story, three-bedroom home from the ground up. The ceilings were dark blue to mimic the sky with dark wood floors representing the earth, as well as Noh masks, Chinese guardian statues , and Chinese lacquerware furnishings throughout the interior. Outside, Carlotta installed a garden in a zigzag pattern which Chinese tradition indicated would keep away evil spirits. They also planted several trees, including pine, almond, and redwood. The O'Neills moved to Boston after World War II . The house

760-599: The nation, with 78% of Danville households having at least a six-figure income. The 2010 United States Census reported that Danville had a population of 42,039. The population density was 2,331.9 inhabitants per square mile (900.4/km ). The racial makeup of Danville was 34,942 (83.1%) White , 372 (0.9%) African American , 67 (0.2%) Native American , 4,417 (10.5%) Asian , 68 (0.2%) Pacific Islander , 509 (1.2%) from other races , and 1,664 (4.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2,879 persons (6.8%). The Census reported that 41,796 people (99.4% of

798-459: The new I-680 freeway which cut through Danville in the mid-1960. In 1982, Danville citizens voted to incorporate their community. In 2000, Danville's population reached 40,484. Danville was ranked as the safest city in California for a fifth consecutive year, most recently in 2022. Danville is set in a narrow section of the San Ramon Valley with the Las Trampas Ridge to the west and

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836-646: The population) lived in households, 56 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 187 (0.4%) were institutionalized. There were 15,420 households, out of which 6,034 (39.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 10,389 (67.4%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,140 (7.4%) had a female householder with no husband present, 449 (2.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 452 (2.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships , and 84 (0.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships . 2,801 households (18.2%) were made up of individuals, and 1,365 (8.9%) had someone living alone who

874-526: The rest of the Bay Area , summers in Danville are extremely dry, and it's not uncommon for four to six months to elapse between the last drop of rain in the spring and the first rain in the fall. Winters are rainy, but periods of several days to a week of mild, dry, sunny weather are quite common even in midwinter. According to Business Insider , Danville's 94506 is the 14th wealthiest ZIP code in America. Danville

912-477: The ridgetop habitat at the end of Chamise Trail. On its eastern border, the park encloses the triangular property of the Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site on all three sides, with access from Las Trampas via hiking trails or from Danville by single-lane road. The eastern section of the park also contains several secluded waterfalls, most of which are difficult to reach. The western-slope portion of Las Trampas

950-426: The site is provided by a twice-daily free shuttle from Danville at 10am and noon on Wednesdays to Sundays and also at 2pm on Saturdays. Reservations are required except on Saturdays when tours are self-guided. Trails from Las Trampas Regional Wilderness also lead to the site. Reservations are also recommended for those arriving for a tour via horseback or on foot. Danville, California The Town of Danville

988-501: The site will serve education and opportunity of performing arts to public. Providing proper cultural sources to society is one of the important missions of National Park Service. Eugene O'Neill Foundation is looking for subscribers . The Foundation maintains an archive of Eugene O'Neill-related material at Tao House (including photographs, playbills, manuscripts, posters, and O'Neill's original phonograph record collection) and sponsors events such as productions of O'Neill plays, staged in

1026-601: The time he moved here, O'Neill had already lived in over 35 places, but he called this secluded house his "final home and harbor". At this home, O'Neill wrote his final plays: The Iceman Cometh , Long Day's Journey Into Night , Hughie , and A Moon for the Misbegotten . Due to a degenerative condition in his hand, he was unable to complete another play after 1943. O'Neill and his wife, actress Carlotta Monterey , showed their interest in Asian art, decor, and thought in preparing

1064-697: The trails; their grazing keeps the grass short for summer fire safety. The cattle should not be approached as they can become defensive and dangerous. Deer, raccoons, rattlesnakes, and skunks can be seen, as well as hawks, vultures and an occasional eagle. Coyote and bobcat are common. The tracks of Mountain lion have been observed, while big-cat sightings are extremely rare. Caution should be exercised with small dogs and children, particularly after sunset with regard to wild animals. The most common trees are California bay laurel and coast live oak. Other species are buckeye, big leaf maple, canyon live oak, black oak and scrub oak. The latter, with its mistletoe, seems to prefer

1102-412: The two ridges is predominantly: black sage, chamise and buck brush, with lesser amounts of toyon , hybrid manzanitas, elderberry, gooseberry, chaparral currant, sticky monkeyflower, coffeeberry, coyote bush, poison oak, hollyleaf red berry, deer weed and dozens of other species. Some of the exposed rocks contain compressed layers of fossils. Rocky Ridge reaches an elevation of 2,024 feet (617 m). At

1140-474: The wealthy gated community of Blackhawk . According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 18.0 square miles (47 km ), all of it land. Danville's weather typifies a Mediterranean climate . Summers are long, with hot days and cool nights. Winters are cool, with mild daytime temperatures usually in the 50s, and nighttime temperatures usually above freezing. Like in

1178-415: Was 44.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males. There were 15,934 housing units at an average density of 883.8 units per square mile (341.2 units/km ), of which 15,420 were occupied, of which 13,020 (84.4%) were owner-occupied, and 2,400 (15.6%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8%; the rental vacancy rate

Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site - Misplaced Pages Continue

1216-689: Was 5.3%. 36,137 people (86.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 5,659 people (13.5%) lived in rental housing units. The Danville Library of the Contra Costa County Library is located in Danville. It is one of the busiest libraries in Contra Costa County by circulation. According to the California Secretary of State , as of February 10, 2019, Danville has 30,076 registered voters. Of those, 10,412 (34.6%) are registered Democrats , 10,381 (34.5%) are registered Republicans , and 7,963 (26.5%) have declined to state

1254-420: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71. There were 11,978 families (77.7% of all households); the average family size was 3.10. The population was spread out, with 11,196 people (26.6%) under the age of 18, 2,117 people (5.0%) aged 18 to 24, 8,050 people (19.1%) aged 25 to 44, 14,628 people (34.8%) aged 45 to 64, and 6,048 people (14.4%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

1292-439: Was built. A library opened in 1913 with 104 books. St. Isidore's Catholic Church was first established in 1910. An Improvement League funded the first streetlights and paved roads in 1915. Danville continued as farm country into the 1940s. The Valley had a population of 2,120 people in 1940, growing to 4,630 by 1950. Developments such as Montair and Cameo Acres were built, the water and sewer districts extended their boundaries, and

1330-491: Was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971, a National Historic Site in 1976, and passed into the management of the National Park Service in 1980. The Foundation has produced an annual festival of O'Neill's works since 1999, including performances on site. Congressman George Miller and Senator Alan Cranston introduced companion bills to have Tao House recognized as a National Historic Site in 1975. AB 4539

1368-502: Was first a railroad that has been converted to an 80-foot-wide (24 m) corridor of bike and hike trails as well as controlled intersections. Extending from Livermore to Concord , the trail passes through Danville. Danville is also home to the Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site, Village Theatre and Art Gallery, and the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. Often referred to as the "Heart of

1406-507: Was saved from demolition in the early 1970s. Several women formed the Eugene O’Neill Foundation, including president Darlene Blair and executive vice president Lois Sizoo, in order to raise money to buy Tao House, which had been named a National Landmark in 1971. They did so through several fundraising projects, including benefit performances of Eugene O’Neill's play Hughie featuring Jason Robards . Through their efforts, Tao House

1444-571: Was signed into law in Sacramento in September 1976, making the site California State property. George Miller's HR 9126 passed in Congress and, on October 19, 1976, President Gerald Ford signed SB 2398 into law. Tao House and the property were designated a National Historic Site. Finally, on June 12 of 1980, ownership of Eugene O'Neill NHS officially transferred to the federal government, making it exactly under

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