The region Around the Delaware Arc is a section of the Piedmont--foothills of the ancient Appalachian Mountains. The geology of the Piedmont in this region is visually accessible and readily experienced. A geologic trek will bring to the fore experiences of falling water and fertile land that spurred colonial industries--the results of forces initiated half a billion years ago and still evolving. The University of Delaware hosts an excellent website: Delaware Geologic Survery. ["Preface: An Ancient Geology" pp. 13-14]
2) Blue Rocks
The prominent stones of the region are metamorphic and igneous granites. The celebrated and prominent rock of the region is the Brandywine Blue Granite ["Blue Rocks" pp. 174-175] with massive deposits in the Wilmington area. The Delaware Geologic Survey website describes several tours, two of which are good means to experience firsthand the Piedmont landscape and granite deposits. The more difficult of the two tours roams the thousand acres Brandywine Creek State Park, north of Wilmington. The easier tour visits Rockford Park in Wilmington.
3) Piedmont Creeks
Creeks drain the region, some converging into the Christiana River through Wilmington to the Delaware River, others emptying directly into the Delaware River. The Red Clay Creek valley toward the western portion of the Delaware Arc allows the informed visitor to discover a breadth of geologic factors. Brandywine Creek ["Brandywine Creek" pp. 32] cuts a gorge into Wilmington at the fall line. The Brandywine powered the nineteenth century powder mills of the Du Pont Company as well as grist mills that produced Brandywine Superfine Flour. A detailed professional paper from mid-century, scours the geology of Brandywine Creek north of Wilmington.
4) Coastal Plane
The fall line, where the Piedmont meets the flatter land along the Delaware River occurs roughly along the path of Delaware Route 2, the Kirkwood Highway. The coastal plane has its own geology as well as geography. A drive along I 95 or I 495 provides a long vista onto the coastal plane that follows the Delaware River.
5) Serpentine Barrens
One of the unique features of the Piedmont in the region Around the Delaware Arc are a few niches of geology known as serpentine barrens with rare and unique ecosystems, a treat for Nature lovers. The olive, soapy stone aptly called serpentine was quarried and used in local buildings in the West Chester area. Near West Chester were three serpentine quarries that provided stone for many local dwellings, some of which can be seen along Birmingham Road from Brandywine Battlefield to West Chester. ["Serpentine Buildings" pp. 154-155] Tyler Arboretum's Pink Hill [John J. Tyler Arboretum" pp. 162-163] contains Delaware County's remaining serpentine barren. The ChesLens preserve near Unionville Pennsylvania has a nine acre serpentine barren. ["Serpentine" pp. 178-179]
Food suggestion: The Route 202 corridor in Pennsylvania and Delaware has many restaurants, including the usual chain brands. However, a local favorite for more than a half century is the genuinely retro Charcoal Pit. This mid-century steak and burger place is worth the short drive from Brandywine Creek State Park.
The Tour: Piedmont Geology
1) Piedmont Landscape
Brandywine Creek State Park, north of Wilmington contains a section of Brandywine Creek. Much of the nine hundred, thirty-three acres is wooded, including a breathtaking stand of tulip poplar trees, Tulip Tree Woods. ["Tulip Tree Woods" p. 200] Other land is pasture-like, remembering the days when it was a du Pont farm (Winterthur). One hundred, fifty miles of walking trails rise and fall with the topography, as do a web of solid granite rubble walls. For the sedentary, benches face fields and woods descending toward the Brandywine Creek.
2) Blue Rocks
The prominent stones of the region are metamorphic and igneous granites. The celebrated and prominent rock of the region is the Brandywine Blue Granite ["Blue Rocks" pp. 174-175] with massive deposits in the Wilmington area. The Delaware Geologic Survey website describes several tours, two of which are good means to experience firsthand the Piedmont landscape and granite deposits. The more difficult of the two tours roams the thousand acres Brandywine Creek State Park, north of Wilmington. The easier tour visits Rockford Park in Wilmington.
3) Piedmont Creeks
Creeks drain the region, some converging into the Christiana River through Wilmington to the Delaware River, others emptying directly into the Delaware River. The Red Clay Creek valley toward the western portion of the Delaware Arc allows the informed visitor to discover a breadth of geologic factors. Brandywine Creek ["Brandywine Creek" pp. 32] cuts a gorge into Wilmington at the fall line. The Brandywine powered the nineteenth century powder mills of the Du Pont Company as well as grist mills that produced Brandywine Superfine Flour. A detailed professional paper from mid-century, scours the geology of Brandywine Creek north of Wilmington.
4) Coastal Plane
The fall line, where the Piedmont meets the flatter land along the Delaware River occurs roughly along the path of Delaware Route 2, the Kirkwood Highway. The coastal plane has its own geology as well as geography. A drive along I 95 or I 495 provides a long vista onto the coastal plane that follows the Delaware River.
5) Serpentine Barrens
One of the unique features of the Piedmont in the region Around the Delaware Arc are a few niches of geology known as serpentine barrens with rare and unique ecosystems, a treat for Nature lovers. The olive, soapy stone aptly called serpentine was quarried and used in local buildings in the West Chester area. Near West Chester were three serpentine quarries that provided stone for many local dwellings, some of which can be seen along Birmingham Road from Brandywine Battlefield to West Chester. ["Serpentine Buildings" pp. 154-155] Tyler Arboretum's Pink Hill [John J. Tyler Arboretum" pp. 162-163] contains Delaware County's remaining serpentine barren. The ChesLens preserve near Unionville Pennsylvania has a nine acre serpentine barren. ["Serpentine" pp. 178-179]
Food suggestion: The Route 202 corridor in Pennsylvania and Delaware has many restaurants, including the usual chain brands. However, a local favorite for more than a half century is the genuinely retro Charcoal Pit. This mid-century steak and burger place is worth the short drive from Brandywine Creek State Park.
