the town of danby, located in southeastern rutland county, vermont, was settled in the late 18th century, and the area that is now danby village was settled around 1800. originally less important than the more central danby corners area, it was the site of some of the town's early mills. at first a predominantly agrarian economy, the village achieved greater prominence beginning in the 1840s, when marble quarrying became the town's major industry. consequences of this are that most of the buildings in the village are built on marble foundations, and are in the then-fashionable greek revival style of architecture. only one building, however, is built entirely out of marble. the village saw further growth due to the arrival of the railroad in 1851, and eclipsed the four corners as an economic and civic center of the town.