[1] The borough of Danielson is located just north of the confluence of the Quinebaug and Five Mile Rivers.

Its early 19th-century development took place because of mills located mainly across the Quinebaug in Brooklyn, whose proprietors built worker housing in the Danielson area.

[2] The historic district is 20 acres (8.1 ha) in size, and includes more than 40 buildings.

Most were built between about 1850 and 1920, although some later additions, including the post office, are stylistically compatible examples of Colonial Revival architecture.

Non-commercial buildings include the 1901 Classical Revival Bugbee Memorial Library, the 1855 Italianate Westfield Congregational Church, and the 1902 Gothic Revival Danielson Methodist Church.