Centre College - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

Driving through Danville takes a total of about four minutes. The town is pretty laid-back and caters more toward the community than the College, which can make for some interesting late nights at the Huddle House. In regards to large cultural events or institutions, Centre is about it, but the town does have a few cheap eats, some coffeehouses, and a Super Wal-Mart, which make it worth venturing off campus, but don’t expect anything too exciting. Check out the Constitution Square Festival in September for a taste of kitschy history and local flair, try Shaker Town, a 20-minute drive from campus, for some of Kentucky’s finest pioneer heritage, and head to the Central Kentucky Wildlife Refuge for short day hikes, 10 minutes from town.

True to the town’s Southern heritage, locals are friendly and helpful, which can be refreshing after a day in the big city. The downtown area is a nice walk during good weather and boasts a long-standing history with even older buildings. With Lexington a moderate drive away, the small-town vibe never becomes too unbearable, and the slow pace actually encourages doing homework. Overall, Danville is unpretentious, clean, and small; although even going to the mall involves a 45-minute drive.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

If you like big-city life, then... If you like big-city life, then Danville is going to be hard to get along in. I’m from Lexington, and even the atmosphere there is slow and boring. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

atbrow00 says: Centre College 2007 Arts, Visual and Performing

It's Getting Better B+ You're going to find some attractions in Danville, but they aren't going to blow you away by sheer quantity. We have a nice Community Arts Center that plays host to all kinds of exhibits, which are generally pretty good. The Great American Dollhouse recently opened, and despite being a museum that seems geared toward girls under 10 and women over 50, it receives rave reviews from everyone who visits. (I found it particularly neat and had my expectations defied.) We have a movie theatre, a Wal-Mart, a nice smattering of restaurants (mostly chain), and a beautiful downtown...which has been recognized by a handful of publications--including TIME--as being one of the nicest and most successful historic downtowns on the map. Perhaps Danville's best attractions are the up and coming ones. Right now, work is underway to establish Kentucky Stage, a professional regional theatre modeled after the Williamstown Theatre Festival at Williams College. It will be run mainly by Centre folks in Weisiger Theatre, which is on campus. Additionally, Eddie Montgomery has opened his long awaited steakhouse about 6 miles from campus. It's billed as a concert venue, sports bar, and steakhouse. Already, developers are said to be moving into the area to build on what Eddie Montgomery has started, which means that in the next couple of years, shopping and dining should really start to take off. But if none of this suits you, Lexington is only a 30-40 minute drive north and will provide you will all the cultural amenities of a big college city. 12345 Local Atmosphere: December 15, 2009 Report

Anonymous says:

Danville is really small. I stayed... Danville is really small. I stayed on campus most of the time, except for trips to the ubiquitous Super Wal-Mart. You’ll go there so often you can walk the floor plan in your sleep. Besides that, there are a few restaurants that have started to trickle in since the dry county rules were relaxed a few years ago. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Danville has a traditional... Danville has a traditional small-town atmosphere. The downtown is very attractive, but doesn’t provide much evening entertainment. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

I really like the town of... I really like the town of Danville. It’s small and what I would consider quaint. Although there are some townies that can be rather sketchy at times, most of the people are really nice and welcoming. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

Five Fun Facts about Danville:
• Time magazine featured Danville as one of the most successful small towns in America.
• The prestigious Kentucky School for the Deaf, the first state school for the deaf, is located in downtown Danville.
• There is an old train station that still runs through Danville.
• Danville is called the “Birthplace of the Bluegrass.”
• Danville had the first post office in the West.

Famous People from Kentucky:
Muhammad Ali, Kit Carson, George Clooney, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jefferson Davis, Johnny Depp, Ashley Judd, Naomi Judd, Wyonna Judd, Abraham Lincoln, Loretta Lynn, John Michael Montgomery, Joan Osborne, Pee Wee Reese

Local Slang:
Coke – This can be any type of soda beverage, even Pepsi is called a coke.
Reckon – To assume or think something
Boss – Cool
Drop Trou – To take off one’s pants, generally to use the bathroom
Go on a Run – To drive to the nearest wet county for alcohol
Running the Flame – Doing naked laps around the "Flame" statue in the middle of campus
The old quad – Group of dorms located by Young and Olin 
Northside – The dorms that are located across the street from the main section of campus i.e. Pearl, old bookstore
Yerkes – Cheek/Evans, Acheson/Caldwell
 

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Aaron Edwards
Hometown: Henderson, KY
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Fun Fact: Aaron is addicted to coconut rum cake and calamari.

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