Iron Hill Park near Newark in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
In the Beginning …
… formation of the Delmarva Peninsula
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 30, 2023
From Pencader Hundred shipping was possible by either the Delaware River of the Chesapeake Bay.
One third of the population of the United States now lives within a day's drive of Pencader Hundred.
The shortest distance overland between the Delaware River Watershed and the Chesapeake Bay was through Pencader Hundred which made this area the hub of Mid-Atlantic travel.
The Native Americans used the rivers in the two watersheds to travel from the Piedmont to the Coastal Plain for food gathering and the trading of furs and materials such as jasper from Iron Hill. Their trails passed through Pencader.
As European settlements grew into cities, Pencader remained a center point, lying midway between Philadelphia and Baltimore, New York and Washington, Boston and Richmond. Thus, travelers between these early urban centers passed through the area on their way to and from these early centers of commerce. Much of today's commerce follows the same early routes.
Piedmont Rocks (Crystaline Rocks):
Metamorphosed (changed by pressure and heat) sedimentary rocks of the ancient North American Continent and adjacent ocean basin.
Wilmington Complex:
Igneous (formed by molten rock) and metamorphic rocks of a volcanic island arc that collided with the ancient North American continent during the convergence of tectonic plates that formed the super coastal continent.)
Atlantic Costal Plain Rocks:
Sedimentary rocks of the Cretaceous Period (230 million to 63 million years ago) deposited over the eroded surface of the metamorphic basement rocks after North America drifted away from Africa and Europe to form the Atlantic Ocean basin.
Fall Line
The Christina River drops 350 feet in 15 miles from its source near Kemblesville, Pennsylvania to Smalley's Dam. This provided the water power to operate grist and saw mills.
When did it happen?
550-35 Million Years ago: Volcanic action formation of the Wilmington Complex.
250 Million Years Ago: Glacial action formed the Coastal Plain around these two formations.
12,000 BC to 10,000 BC: Evidence that Native Americans occupied the Pencader Area during their summer migration.
1638: Swedes arrived on the Kalmar Nyckel bringing European agricultural practices to the Pencader Area.
[Caption:]
Delaware is the second smallest state in the country. However, we played an important role in the formation of the nation. Caesar Rodney rode from Lewes to Philadelphia to cast the deciding vote for independence in 1776. We were the first
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 30, 2023
Erected by Pencader Heritage Area Assocaition.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Native Americans • Natural Features • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1638.
Location. 39° 38.344′ N, 75° 45.376′ W. Marker is near Newark, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Iron Hill Park. Marker can be reached from South Old Baltimore Pike west of Iron Hill Road, on the right when traveling west. The marker stands on the grounds of Iron Hill Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newark DE 19702, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The March Through Pencader (here, next to this marker); Historic Iron Ore Mining (here, next to this marker); Exploring the Past of Pencader Hundred (here, next to this marker); Welsh Tract (here, next to this marker); Robert V. Yost (a few steps from this marker); Iron Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Iron Hill (approx. 0.3 miles away); Iron Mining on Iron and Chestnut Hills, A Timeline (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newark.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 31, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.