Lower Red Clay Valley: August 2011

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Hurrican Irene aftermath. Sunday morning at aprox. 10:00am

These videos of The Red Clay Creek were filmed on Sunday morning, 8/28/2011, at aprox. 10:00am.

The first was taken from Bridge 155 on Old Capitol Trail.

The second was in Stanton shortly after 10:00am.

The third video was created by the owner of Delaware Equipment Rental on Greenbank Road . It was filmed earlier in the morning. I believe the person filming mentions it is about 7:45am

Again, I have posted many more photos on a seperate page. The link to that page is above labeled Hurricane Irene.

There is one photo of the bridge rail in Marshallton showing evidence of debris where the high water mark appeared to have been.

Above graph shows the Red Clay Creek crest in Stanton, about 8ft above flood stage, at around 8:00am Sunday morning on 8/28/2011.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Workhouse Guard Tower

I remember going through the old workhouse after it was shut down. It was such a cold and depressing structure.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Wilmington and Western Railroad Summer Festival

On Saturday, August 13th, Wilmington and Western Railroad hosted their Summer Festival at the Greenbank Station location on rt41 near Prices Corner. Trains left on a predetermined schedule chugging up the Red Clay Valley to a pinick grove. After a short stay they returned to the Station unload passengers and welcomed another train load to repeat the excursion.
On the station grounds itself there were exhibits and eats for all ages to enjoy. Volunteers from the railroad dressed in period clothing to give a nostalgic feel.
Due to the number of photos, I listed them on a seperate page. The button for that is above (on the same line as the home page button) entitled the same as this one. Please take a look and leave any comments.
It is just another characteristic of the Historic Lower Red Clay Valley.
I hope to list more of these events as they become available.

Thanks for reading

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

Monday, August 8, 2011

Views of Marshallton School #77

Thursday, August 4, 2011

c1927 Ball Cottage at Ferris School scheduled for Demolition

Wilmington & Western Tracks at Faulkland Road

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.