Mill Creek (White Clay Creek tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mill Creek |
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Location of Mill Creek mouth
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| Other name(s) | Tributary to White Clay Creek |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania, Delaware |
| Counties | Chester, New Castle |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | divide between Mill Creek and Broad Run (White Clay Creek) Kennett Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania 380 ft (120 m) 39°47′55″N 75°43′10″W / 39.79861°N 75.71944°W |
| River mouth | White Clay Creek New Castle County, Delaware 5 ft (1.5 m) 39°42′32″N 75°39′09″W / 39.70889°N 75.65250°W |
| Length | 8.33 mi (13.41 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | south-southeast |
| River system | Christina River |
| Basin size | 12.96 square miles (33.6 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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| Bridges | Southwood Road, Piersons Ridge, Loblolly Court, Slashpine Circle, Valley Road, Mill Creek Road, Brackenville Road, Mill Creek Road, Stoney Batter Road, Limestone Road, Milltown Road, Kirkwood Highway (DE 2), Telegraph Road, Delaware Park Blvd., DE 4 |
Mill Creek is a stream about 9.6 miles (15.4 km) long. It flows mainly through northern New Castle County, Delaware. Mill Creek is a smaller stream that flows into a larger one, the White Clay Creek.
The stream gets its name from the many mills that used to be along its banks. These mills were active in the 1700s and early 1800s. Most of them were gristmills, which ground grain into flour. There were also sawmills, which cut wood.
Contents
Where Mill Creek Begins and Flows
Mill Creek starts just over the state line in Pennsylvania, near a place called Kaolin. From there, it flows east, then turns south into Delaware.
Journey Through Hockessin
The creek flows under the Lancaster Pike in Hockessin. In Hockessin, you can find Swift Memorial Park right along the stream. The park is located between Old Lancaster Pike and the Wilmington and Western Railroad tracks.
Through Gorges and Parks
After leaving Hockessin, Mill Creek turns slightly west. Then, it makes a sharp turn to the southeast. Here, it flows through a deep, wooded gorge. This gorge is surrounded by suburban neighborhoods.
Further along, Mill Creek goes through Limestone Hills Park. It then forms the western edge of the DelCastle Recreation Area. The creek continues south, passing under Limestone Road. As it flows, the hills on either side become less steep. More buildings appear, but the creek's steep banks have kept it safe from being built on directly.
Reaching the White Clay Creek
Mill Creek passes through a neighborhood known as "Milltown." Lindell Park is located along the creek in this area. It sits between Milltown Road and Kirkwood Highway.
Below Kirkwood Highway, the valley starts to open up. The creek then flows past Delaware Park. It goes under the Wilmington and Christiana Turnpike. Soon after, Mill Creek joins the White Clay Creek.
Other Names for Mill Creek
The Geographic Names Information System is a database of place names. According to this system, Mill Creek has also been known by another name in the past:
- Lillefalskijlen
