Lower Red Clay Valley: Red Clay Flooding at the old Ametek site in 1938

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Red Clay Flooding at the old Ametek site in 1938

I have had these photos for a while and can not remember who passed them along to me. The first picture appears it was taken from Greenbank Road looking across the Red Clay towards the south end of the bridge in Marshallton. The second is on the old Ametek mill property. That is the concrete bridge crossing the falls at the end of original millrace. You can see in the third photo ( a recent one) how high the water came up. It is obvious the water went over the bridge and Greenbank Road was covered. I can not imagine what downstream was like. You can not tell where the creek is. Documented on the back of one of the older photos is a date of 1938.

Now that this old site (c1765) sits vacant it should be looked at and acquired, from the current owner, by the Federal, State and the County Governments to be used for flood mitigation and recreational purposes like what is being done in Yorklyn and what was done in Glenville.

3 comments:

Scott P said...: The picture that I find the most interesting is the first one. I agree with you, it is looking downstream and across towards Old Capitol Trail. May have been taken from the front of one of the houses on Greenbank, either the one formerly the store or a neighbor. Wow, the water looks high! You can barely see the top of the old metal truss bridge.

What I like the best is the building behind it, with the Coca-Cola sign. In talking with Ann Hedrick last year, she mentioned that there was an ice cream parlor where the empty lot is now on the other side of the bridge. It was called Mackison's (sp?). She remembered her brother dancing to the juke box there. That has to be it. I'd never seen a picture of it before.; July 12, 2011 at 4:27 PM
LRCV said...: That is the first time I have heard of the ice cream parlor. That posting these photos alot of fun. People see them and can add background information.
It looks like a name atop the Coca Cola sign. I wonder if it is the one you refered to.; July 12, 2011 at 7:56 PM
Kelley said...: I've never seen OLD pictures of the corner flooded! So much for being in the 100 year flood plane!; August 29, 2011 at 9:14 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.