Lower Red Clay Valley: May 2011

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Why can’t something like what is being done in Yorklyn, be done to the old Ametek site in the Prices Corner area? Its industrial past dates back to 1700’s, all buildings (except two identified as historic) have been demolished and all 32 acres sit directly on the Red Clay Creek and could help connect 3 county parks. It has been sitting vacant since 2003 when flooding closed the site for good. This would be an excellent location for flood mitigation since structures / homes below the site get flooded often during heavy rains. The last flooding was October 2010 during Tropical Storm Nicole. If preserving the waterways and restoring the wetlands is important as the 4/25/2011 News Journal article states, then this 32 acre tract of land is just as important as and much cheaper than Yorklyn and should be looked at for trails, open space preservation, recreation and storm water management.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Stanton Friends Meeting House and Cemetery

Sunday, May 15, 2011

September 1777 Entrenchments

WASHINGTON’S EARTHWORKS

The American Army numbering about 11,000 encamped between Red Clay Creek and Newport September 6 to 9, 1777. Earthworks constructed for the protection of the camp are plainly visible on the edge of the hill overlooking the creek.

NC-33

LOCATION: Marker is inactive/removed. North end of Bridge which crosses Red Clay Creek at Marshallton (Lincoln Highway), Wilmington.

The Delaware Public Archives operates a historical markers program as part of its mandate. Markers are placed at historically significant locations and sites across the state.

Kiamensi B & O Bridge Appears in Background

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Mill Race Spillway at Ametek

Sunday, May 8, 2011

c1845 House. Demolished in 2010.

Someone posted a comment about the carriage house that was included on the property. The only photos I have before it was destroyed by fire are below.

You can see above what remained of the carriage house. It was not in the best of shape

This picture just gives you a indication of the width of the boards on the sidewall. Some measured over 12" in width.

This photo was to show the mortise and tenon joints used in construction. You can not see them very well, but if you look close enough you can see the wooden pin protruding from the corner post a little ways down from the top of the post.

Even though the photos below were taken after the fire they clearly show the joints used in the construction of the carriage house. The top picture shows a piece of framing that still retains its wooden pin.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Diamond State League Champions 1932

The back of the frame says:

Mr. Bringhirst

Harrison Temple

Bill Patterson

Dick Shannon

Eddie Bayde

Jed Rucker

Joe Gollicker

Dick Crouch

Whitie Peters

Sticks Cain

Frank Ford

Eddie Weatherlow

Red Riley

Norm Schultz - Pitcher

Lonny Green

Myron Green

Dope Johnson

Jay Brown

Otts Weatherlow

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Old Capitol Trail Bridge over Red Clay Creek

Steps remaining from mill workers homes

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.

Lower Red Clay Valley