Lower Red Clay Valley

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Now that I have reached forty posts I wondered if anyone was following on a regular basis. I know of one, but I ask myself is there anyone else? So I have placed “following widget” in the right hand column to let me know if anyone finds this site worthwhile.

As I said in the blog’s header I am not much of a writer, so I hope the images do most of the talking for me. The entire reason for this blog is to expose and share the amount of resources in The Lower Red Clay Valley along with sharing some older pictures I have come a crossed.

I have recently added a stand alone page related to flooding on the Red Clay. Since the high water of the creek disrupts so many people’s lives and homes I thought it deserved a special place of it’s own on this site.

If anyone has old photos, etc. and would like to share them, please send them along. You can do so by clicking on the contact button and attaching them to the email. Also, if you do not feel comfortable leaving a comment you can also send email via the contact button.

Thank you

4 comments:

Anonymous said...: I've been a reader of your blog for a few months now. I found it through a link from Scott's Millcreek Hundred Blog. I grew up on Milltown Rd. so really enjoy the pictures of all ther places I remember from living in the area.

PS - Follower widget did not seem to be working.; July 21, 2011 at 9:50 AM
LRCV said...: That is good to know. I figured anyone who looks would be from Scotts site. I am glad you like the older photos. I also enjoy finding them. It makes me feel like I am uncovering something. So, I will continue to post older images as well current ones as they arise. For instance...The Ball Cottage at Ferris Ind. School.
It is scheduled for demolition so I stopped and took some photos. It sits a little outside my self proclaimed Lower Red Clay Valley boundries but thought I needed to take some pictures before it is gone.

Thanks Again; July 22, 2011 at 9:58 AM
Anonymous said...: I'm intrigued by the local history! My wife and I grew up in Stanton. Her family had a lot of historical pictures and documents - some of which recently got posted on the Mill Creek Hundred blog. It's nice to be able to share with others who appreciate it. KC.; September 9, 2011 at 9:08 PM
LRCV said...: Thanks for viewing and your input. The area I am trying to focus on does have alot of history.With the first mill located in Stanton in the 1670's shows how far the area goes back. Scott has good site. He uses photos and text which he is good at. I try to show the Lower Red Clay Valley in photos and documents. If you would like to share some early documents please send along. I will post and give you credit.
Thanks Again.; September 11, 2011 at 10:15 PM

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.