Lower Red Clay Valley: Trolley at Greenbank and Duncan Road

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Trolley at Greenbank and Duncan Road

I was asked on the previous post where the Marshallton Store sat at the intersection of Duncan and Greenbank Roads on property now owned by the apartments. It sat facing the Red Clay Creek, which would have been to the right of the trolley.You can make out the house/store as it sits in the far left in this photo. I was told by some old timers this trolley use to run to Brandywine Springs. If you click and enlarge the image you can make out the Marshallton sign in the trolley window. The milk cans? I have no idea unless it had something to do with the store, if it was still a store at this time. This was the end of the line on Greenbank Road. In the bottom right hand corner of image (top of bridge wall) you can see it stopped at Hersey's Bridge. Again, if you enlarge the image you can see part of the Marshallton Mill in the background. I do not know when this was taken but I am guessing if the trolley car was not there we may be able to see the old Hersey Grist Mill. It stood until about 1920 or so.

1 comment:

Scott P said...: Thanks, now I know exactly where it was. And I can confirm that the trolley did come from Brandywine Springs. It was a spur of the Peoples Trolley, the line that ran from Wilmington to the amusement park. They often used the trolleys for light freight, too, so the milk cans were either being dropped off or picked up by the trolley.

It almost looks like it's not operating as a store anymore by this point. And I agree -- I'd love to take the trolley out of the pic and see what's behind it.; July 7, 2011 at 10:36 AM

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Welcome

The history of the Lower Red Clay Valley, stretching some 3 miles from Faulkland Road to Stanton, can be traced back to include parts of 5 centuries. From the settling of Bread and Cheese Island in the 1600’s through the 2000’s when the final industrial tract, whose start began as a gristmill, closed. The lower end of the valley has seen a whole host of different mills, names, places and events that play a major part in Delaware’s history. The region is also home to Delaware’s only steam powered train, The Wilmington and Western Railroad, which winds its way along the Red Clay Creek. It is also home to the famous Brandywine Springs and Spa established in the 1800’s that later became an amusement park.

Around 1679, before most of these facilities were in operation, a mill was constructed in proximity of where the Red and White Clay Creeks merge in Stanton, and then flow to the Christiana River. Stanton was to become the first settlement in what we know now as Mill Creek Hundred. The Stanton area also attracted names like the Lea, Tatnall, Byrnes and DuPont. Shipping goods at that time was possible due to the fact that navigation was achievable up the White Clay Creek to Stanton from the Christiana River. Goods would be brought down Limestone Road from Chester and Lancaster Counties to be shipped.

Over the next 100 years or so since that first mill was established, no less then four more mills were erected in the short distance of roughly three miles upstream to Faulkland Road. Delaware’s most famous inventor, Oliver Evans, worked in the family mill at Faulkland. This is where he invented his mill automation system that revolutionized the milling industry. He received the patent for his accomplishment in 1790. In between Faulkland and the Stanton Mill was the Phillips Mill (Greenbank Mill), Hersey Mill (Where the former Ametek site is) and The Reese Mill site (which much later became the Kiamensi Woolen Mills). Remnants from each one of these mills still exist. I believe all five of these mills were in operation in September 1777 when General George Washington assembled his troops along the east side of The Red Clay Creek, spreading south to north along the stream. He ordered mills in the area to be made inoperable and move products so they could not be confiscated by the enemy. This was all in anticipation of a battle with approximately 15,000 British Troops on their march, from the Chesapeake, to take control of the Colonial Capital of Philadelphia. According to writing’s, Gen. Washington believed this would be the final battle of the Revolutionary War. During that week in 1777 a Counsel of War meeting was held at the Hale-Byrnes House in Stanton, attended by Washington and his other officers. As history shows, that battle never took place as General Howe’s troops took a alternate route leading to Chadd’s Ford, PA. and the Battle of The Brandywine.

When a hotel was built at Brandywine Springs in the 1820’s it was the beginning of approximately 100 years of enjoyment for a site that transitioned from resort spa to amusement park that finally closed in the early 1900’s. The friends of Brandywine Springs keep the park alive through archeological digs along with providing and maintaining trails leading to areas where old foundations have been uncovered or old amusement rides once stood. The park had its own rail station where folks would be picked up and drop off by the Wilmington and Western Railroad that came into existence in 1870. The W&W railroad continues to operate today taking passengers on a scenic journey through the Historic Red Clay Valley and along the banks of the Red Clay Creek. Its station is located at Greenbank along Rt41. Its maintenance yard, with its soon to be completed new offices and meeting room, are located in Marshallton.

Not far from The Red Clay Creek remain pieces of the past which would have either supported or benefited from these industries and more. I hope some of the photos in this blog will show you some of those. Some may be gone now but some still remain.

By clicking here a DELDOT pdf document will give a more in depth look at the Brandywine Springs / Red Clay area.