Muckinipattis Creek facts for kids
Muckinipattis Creek is a small stream, about 5.4 miles (8.7 kilometers) long. It flows through Delaware County, Pennsylvania. This creek eventually joins Darby Creek, which then flows into the Delaware River.
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Where the Creek Flows
Muckinipattis Creek is thought to start with two branches. One branch begins in Springfield Township. The other starts near Springfield Road and Bishop Avenue. The creek then flows past the Primos-Secane swim club in Upper Darby Township.
Further downstream, it goes under what used to be a large parking lot in Secane. After that, it forms the boundary between Darby and Ridley townships. Finally, it empties into Darby Creek. This meeting point is between Montgomery Park in Folcroft and the old Morton Morton House in Norwood.
What's in a Name?
The name Muckinipates comes from the Lenape language. The Lenape people were Native Americans who lived in this area long ago. The word means 'deep running water'.
The Otter and Turtle tribes were part of the Lenni Lenape nation. They lived and hunted along Muckinipattis Creek. They even had a small village where Montgomery Park in Folcroft is today.
The Old Mill
Building the Mill
A building known as the Old Mill, or Old Mill Dam, was built in 1775. It was constructed by Thomas Shipley. This mill was a gristmill, which means it was used to grind grain into flour. It was located where Delmar Drive in Folcroft, South Avenue in Glenolden, and East Amosland in Norwood meet today.
A Busy Place
The gristmill was very popular. Farmers from places as far away as Delaware and New Jersey would bring their grain there. They would use special barges called "one stickers" to travel up the Muckinipattis Creek. This allowed them to get their goods processed at the mill.
At one time, the mill was owned by John Morton. He was the grandson of Morton Mortensen. John Morton was a very important person in American history. He cast the deciding vote for the Declaration of Independence. This was a key moment when the American colonies decided to become independent from Great Britain.
The Mill's Later Life
Over the years, the mill was sold many times. It was also used for different purposes. At one point, it became a factory that made bobbins. Bobbins are spools used in spinning and weaving. Sadly, the mill burned down in February 1899.
Where the Creek Ends
The place where Muckinipattis Creek joins Darby Creek is very close to the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum. This refuge is a protected area for wildlife.
