Brandywine Springs

Brandywine Springs, an historic geographical feature near Newport, Delaware in northern New Castle County along the Red Clay Creek, has a fascinating, multi-century story. Its history traces from pre-colonial Native American times and early European settlers' interest in the iron-rich spring water as a medicinal cure. The site was then briefly the focus of a military encampment of about 12,000 Continental soldiers and militia led by General George Washington. In 1827, an elegant hotel was built on the property. This spa resort was designed by T.U. Walker, the architect of the U.S. Capitol Building. After burning down in 1853, the hotel was rebuilt and continued operation for a number of decades. A new owner in 1886 began to add tennis courts, boating, a merry-go-round, and a primitive roller coaster, and soon the Brandywine Springs had become a popular amusement park which would draw crowds until 1924, when it was shut down. Today, the Friends of Brandywine Springs preservation society encourages archeological digs and historical interest in the site.

Timeline

• Pre-European settlement - Native American gatherings and legends about the iron-rich spring water. Indians came from as far away as Ohio to partake in the foul-tasting waters with supposed medicinal value.
• 1777 - General George Washington preparing an encampment and defense works that was promptly abandoned against the oncoming assault of British generals Howe and Cornwallis
• 1827-1853 - A fashionable spa and hotel (designed by U.S. Capitol Building architect T.U. Walker) located on the site and visited by such notables as Henry Clay. It burned down in 1853.
• 1855-1885 - Rebuilt hotel in operation again.
• 1886-1889 - Hotel lease turned over to Richard Crook, who adds tennis and croquet courts, boating, swimming, picnic grounds, and a merry-go-round.
• 1890 - Crook added a restaurant and a toboggan slide (a precursor to the modern roller-coaster), and Brandywine Springs took on the characteristics of an amusement park.
• 1891-1923 - With the addition of a Dentzel carousel, a 7-acre man-made "Lake Washington", an electric power plant (to illuminate and power the rides), a mile-long scenic railway, a labyrinth, and a roller rink, this was a thriving early 20th century amusement park along the Hyde Run tributary.
• 1924 - The amusement park doesn't open for the season, having been overtaken in popularity by its sister venture in the northeast part of the county, Shellpot Park, as well as Riverview Beach in South Jersey.
• 1925-1939 - The park falls into disrepair, is picked clean by scavengers, and is progressively overtaken by weeds and brush.
• Today - The upper park serves the community with baseball diamonds, and the lower park presents visitors with various challenging hiking trails.

External links

• Friends of Brandywine Springs preservation society