Bibliograph

Along Route 52, Delaware's historic Kennett Pike, Andrew D. Engel

Type

Label

Along Route 52, Delaware's historic Kennett Pike, Andrew D. Engel

Language

eng

Index

no index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Along Route 52

Medium

electronic resource

Nature of contents

dictionaries

Responsibility statement

Andrew D. Engel

Series statement

Images of America

Sub title

Delaware's historic Kennett Pike

Summary

Created through an act of the Delaware Legislature in 1811, the Wilmington and Kennett Turnpike would become one of the most important roads in New Castle County. Linking the city of Wilmington, Delaware, to Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, it would become crucial in the transportation of goods from a growing industrial Wilmington to Philadelphia and the eastern counties of Pennsylvania. Kennett Pike, as it would come to be known, operated as a toll road until it was purchased in 1919 by industrialist Pierre S. du Pont (1870-1954). Du Pont would work over the next year and a half to widen and modernize the highway and eliminate its tolls. When work was completed, he sold the road back to the state for just $1. Kennett Pike has continued to grow through the 20th century, with dozens of private estates gracing its borders. Villages such as Greenville and Centreville have been characterized by their country charm and local businesses, including Shields Lumber & Coal and Buckley's Tavern

Target audience

adult

resource.variantTitle

Along Route fifty-two

Classification