Lower Red Clay Valley: Ametek Shows its Colors

Photos below show what remains, the administration building and pump house, of the old Ametek plant in Marshallton, Delaware. The pictures highlight the two structures remaining on the site along with the footbridge still intact over the spillway of the original mill race from the Hersey Mill. Also shown is some remaining open space across the street from the buildings and along Red Clay Creek to the intersection of Greenbank and Duncan Roads.

Below is looking north along the Red Clay Creek from Hersey Bridge on Newport Road.

Ametek property is on both sides of the stream.

Below is looking south from across the stream and behind the pump house.

Ametek is on both the east and west side of thr Red Clay Creek

Another bridge on the property crossing the Red Clay.

Looking south from above bridge.

Hersey Bridge is in the distance.

Again, bisecting the property.

Looking north from above bridge.

The stream still splits the parcel.

Kirkwood Highway Bridge is ahead.

East side of property on the right. West side on left.

Looking down from south side of Kirkwood Highway Bridge.

The property seen here belongs to the parcel with Wilmington and

Western Railroad at the top just out of the photo.

View of the bridge featured earlier from above

I believe this is old railroad siding, but on Ametek property.

Wilmington and Western tracks

In this view the gates to the original mill race

would be on the far right

Plaque on Kirkwood Highway Bridge.

Looking down from the north side of bridge.

Wilmington and Western Railroad

Looking north.

Ametek property is on the right (east) side in the next three photos

Looking out over property from bridge looking noth

Below pictures were taken from rt41 (Newport Gap PK.)

Ametek is on the left (east) side.

Below, still Ametek property, this is what the Red Clay Interceptor(sewer)

appears like at rt41.

It also shows how it looks before crossing rt41.

below shows what is across from the photo above on RT41

Wilmington and Western at rt41 and adjacent to Ametek property

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.

Ametek Shows its Colors

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