Lower Red Clay Valley: Update on Delaware State moving to Kirkwood Highway Site

Monday, July 1, 2013

Update on Delaware State moving to Kirkwood Highway Site

As I posted a while back, Delaware State University will be moving it's Wilmington campus to the old army reserve building next to the Ford dealership on Kirkwood Highway. Here is some information from their website.

DSU's New Castle Co. Site to Move to Kirkwood Highway July 1

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The property on Kirkwood Highway will enable to DSU continue to offer the three master's degree programs it has offered at the Wilmington location, as well as add some undergraduate degree programs.

The DSU degree programs taught in New Castle County will move into its new home on Kirkwood Highway by July 1, a location that will enable the University to expand its offerings in the state's northernmost county.
The DSU Board of Trustees made that a priority during its May 6 special meeting as it authorized the University to spend up to $2 million to be used to renovate the former U.S. Army Reserve Center it has acquired at 3931 Kirkwood Highway (just east of Del. 7).
That decision means that DSU will permanently move out of its current Wilmington site located at 621 Market St., where the institution has been based since circa 1993. DSU first offered classes in New Castle County when it was loaned some space at Howard High School in Wilmington in 1990.
A few years ago, the federal government identified the former U.S. Army facility as a surplus building that could be designated for educational purposes. With the 43,000-square-foot building up for grabs, DSU applied for the property. The U.S. Department of Education awarded the property in June 2011.
Soon thereafter, the University established a Kirkwood Planning Task Force to study the possible academic uses of the building while the U.S. Army transitioned out of its possession of the building.
As a result of the work of the Task Force, the University’s Master of Business Administration (MBA), Social Work and Sport Administration master’s degree programs offered at the Market Street site will be transferred to the Kirkwood property beginning in the 2013-2014 school year. DSU also plans to establish five undergraduate programs at the new location in the 2014-2015 academic year – Hospitality Management and Tourism, Criminal Justice, Integrated Studies, and Math Education, as well as a certified program in Food Preparation/Nutrition.
The U.S. Army turned over the Kirkwood property to the University in early 2013. The University expects to complete a Phase I renovation project – which will create six classrooms, remodel the lobby, upgrade the road entrance and parking lot, install a fire alarm system and code compliant HVAC and electric, as well as create ADA-compliant restrooms and renovate the building’s north wing – in time to be in operation at the new site on July 1.
While Phase I will be designed to accommodate the more than 80 students currently enrolled in New Castle County, a Phase II project will commence later to renovate and modernize the remaining areas of the building.

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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.