Lower Red Clay Valley: Bridge 155 crosses Red Clay Creek on Old Capitol Trail. Built in 1932 and National Register Eligible.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Bridge 155 crosses Red Clay Creek on Old Capitol Trail. Built in 1932 and National Register Eligible.

Photo above with original embellishments

The photo above and the ones below show before and after views of Bridge 155 in 1931 and 1932 when it was built. I have no idea what the larger structures on the right hand side in the photo are. I have been told, at one time there was a silk mill in the area. I do not know if this is it or not.

I like the homes in the background

The Red Clay appears so much wider then

Looking west at Newport Road and Old Capitol Trail

Greenbank and Old Capitol Trail looking east towards Red Clay Creek

5 comments:

Scott P said...: You've probably seen it, but the 1931 DELDOT Annual Report (on their site where the bridge survey is) has a picture of the newly-built bridge, as well as before and after pictures of the cut-off.; August 12, 2011 at 9:53 AM
LRCV said...: Scott,

Yes I have seen those photos. The 1932 photo I posted earlier of Foards Store, looking west, was from the same batch of DelDot photos. Now that you mention it I will dig them up and update the latest post with those photos.

Thanks
Denis; August 12, 2011 at 11:08 AM
Scott P said...: Re: the top historic photo -- I think the three structures on the right are houses on Washington Ave. In fact, I think the righthand one is still there. It's now the first house on the right, as you come down Washington from Newport Rd. It looks like the biggest of the three may have sat right behind Foards Store.

There was a silk mill at the end of Washington, but I think it's to the right of this picture. Also note you can see Cope's store right down thru the center of the bridge. I had never seen the "Before" picture looking west. Great pics again!; August 17, 2011 at 10:47 AM
LRCV said...: Thanks Scott,
What I really like about these older photos is what you can pickup if you look hard enough, like you picking up Cope's Store. At first glance it appears you can see the old Cranston Home on the hill behind the store, but I think it is just the photo.
The outbuildings that go with the houses are what strike me.
This area really seems rural in some of these pictures.; August 17, 2011 at 7:37 PM
Kelley said...: I somehow picked up the Bus-Stop sign on the left of the 5th picture. Apparently there was a bus stop in what is now the cul-de-sac. The sign must have popped out because I have one. My father collected things like that to use as wall hangings.; August 28, 2011 at 1:57 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.