Ridley Creek
Encyclopedia
Ridley Creek is a tributary
of the Delaware River
in southeast Pennsylvania
in the United States
. The entire drainage basin is in the suburban Philadelphia area, but the upper creek and extensive park lands on the creek retain a rural character, while the mouth of the creek has long been heavily industrialized. It was named for the parish of Ridley
, Cheshire
, England
.
and Frazer
in Chester County
, and then join about a mile south in Frazer. The creek flows south, then southeast to enter Delaware County
and Ridley Creek State Park
. Leaving the park, it passes the Tyler Arboretum and the town of Media
, while entering a deep gorge. It passes local parks in Rose Vallley
and the Taylor Memorial Arboretum
in Wallingford
. Before flowing into the tidal Delaware River, it forms the border between the city of Chester
and the borough of Eddystone
.
The length from the confluence of the two branches to the mouth is about 22 miles (35.4 km); including the longer Northeast branch gives a length of about 23 miles (37 km).
Seventeen municipalities, with a population of about 62,000, are included in the 38 square miles (98.4 km²) watershed. The 40,000 residents of Upper Providence
, Nether Providence, and Middletown
townships, and Media
use 2.7 millions gallons per day of drinking water supplied from Aqua Pennsylvania's Media plant.
, a Swedish millwright who arrived in the area in 1641, settled on the north bank of the creek in present day Eddystone, and the creek was called Olle Stille's Creek. Thomas Holme
's map of 1687 labeled the creek "Preest Cr." next to a land grant at the mouth of the creek labeled "Preest" and shows land grants from William Penn
extending the length of the creek, into the Welsh Tract
at the source.
Water mills were established along the creek early in its history, including the Providence Mills gristmill in 1718, and the Old Mill in Rose Valley in 1789. Providence Mills, located in present day Ridley Creek State Park and now known as Sycamore Mills, expanded to include a nail factory and a saw mill which operated until 1901. The Old Mill started as a snuff mill, then became a paper mill, and finally a woolen textile mill, which operated until about 1880.
In 1826 there were 15 mills operating on the creek, including gristmills, sawmills, cotton mills rolling and slitting mills, snuffmills, a tilt mill, and a woolen mill.
The Leiper Railroad
, which has a claim to be America's first railroad, operated from 1810-1828 between Thomas Leiper
's quarry on Crum Creek
to tidewater on Ridley Creek, a distance of about three-fourths mile.
From 1906-1956 the Baldwin Locomotive Works
operated north of the mouth of the creek along the Delaware in Eddystone. Today an Exelon
generating plant operates in the area. In 2006 Harrah's Chester
established a harness racing track and casino near the south bank of the creek at its confluence with the Delaware River.
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
in southeast Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The entire drainage basin is in the suburban Philadelphia area, but the upper creek and extensive park lands on the creek retain a rural character, while the mouth of the creek has long been heavily industrialized. It was named for the parish of Ridley
Ridley, Cheshire
Ridley is a civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England, which lies to the north east of Malpas and to the west of Nantwich. The parish is largely rural with scattered farms and buildings and no significant settlements. In 2001, the...
, Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Course
Two branches of the creek rise between MalvernMalvern, Pennsylvania
Malvern is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,998 at the 2010 census. The main road through the borough is King Street, although the borough is also bordered by Paoli Pike on the south, and is near US 30 on the north. The primary cross street is Warren...
and Frazer
Frazer, Pennsylvania
Frazer, Pennsylvania is a community in East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania, United States....
in Chester County
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
, and then join about a mile south in Frazer. The creek flows south, then southeast to enter Delaware County
Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties....
and Ridley Creek State Park
Ridley Creek State Park
Ridley Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Edgmont, Middletown and Upper Providence Townships, Delaware County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park, about north of the county seat of Media, offers many recreational activities, such as hiking, biking, fishing, and picnicking....
. Leaving the park, it passes the Tyler Arboretum and the town of Media
Media, Pennsylvania
The borough of Media is the county seat of Delaware County, Pennsylvania and is located west of Philadelphia. Media was incorporated in 1850 at the same time that it was named the county seat. The population was 5,533 at the 2000 census. Its school district is the Rose Tree Media School District...
, while entering a deep gorge. It passes local parks in Rose Vallley
Rose Valley, Pennsylvania
Rose Valley is a small but historic borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. Its area is and the population was 944 at the 2000 census. It was settled by Quaker farmers in 1682, and later water mills along Ridley Creek drove manufacturing in the nineteenth century...
and the Taylor Memorial Arboretum
Taylor Memorial Arboretum
Taylor Memorial Arboretum is an arboretum and garden located at 10 Ridley Drive, Wallingford, Pennsylvania along Ridley Creek. It is open daily.The arboretum includes a grotto , millrace and waterfall, and pond with bald cypress...
in Wallingford
Wallingford, Pennsylvania
Wallingford is an unincorporated community in Nether Providence Township, Delaware County in Pennsylvania, USA. Founded in 1687, it is named for Wallingford, England...
. Before flowing into the tidal Delaware River, it forms the border between the city of Chester
Chester, Pennsylvania
Chester is a city in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States, with a population of 33,972 at the 2010 census. Chester is situated on the Delaware River, between the cities of Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware.- History :...
and the borough of Eddystone
Eddystone, Pennsylvania
Eddystone is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,442 at the 2000 census.-Early history:The area at the mouth of Ridley Creek was first called "Tequirassy" by Native Americans. The land was owned by Olof Persson Stille, one of the early settlers from New...
.
The length from the confluence of the two branches to the mouth is about 22 miles (35.4 km); including the longer Northeast branch gives a length of about 23 miles (37 km).
Watershed
The upper creek has Piedmont Upland geological features and the mouth has Coastal Plain features. Rocks include granite gneiss, mica schist, and sand and gravel.Seventeen municipalities, with a population of about 62,000, are included in the 38 square miles (98.4 km²) watershed. The 40,000 residents of Upper Providence
Upper Providence Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Upper Providence Township is a census-designated place and township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States, located around and north of the borough of Media, between Ridley Creek and Crum Creek. The population was 10,509 at the 2000 census. Ridley Creek State Park is inside the...
, Nether Providence, and Middletown
Middletown Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Middletown Township is a township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 16,064 at the 2000 census. The Pennsylvania State University has an undergraduate satellite campus located in the north-central portion of the township, while Neumann College, a private...
townships, and Media
Media, Pennsylvania
The borough of Media is the county seat of Delaware County, Pennsylvania and is located west of Philadelphia. Media was incorporated in 1850 at the same time that it was named the county seat. The population was 5,533 at the 2000 census. Its school district is the Rose Tree Media School District...
use 2.7 millions gallons per day of drinking water supplied from Aqua Pennsylvania's Media plant.
History
Olof Persson StilleOlof Persson Stille
Olof Persson Stille was a pioneer settler in the Swedish colony of New Sweden. He served as the first chief justice of the Upland Court.-Background:...
, a Swedish millwright who arrived in the area in 1641, settled on the north bank of the creek in present day Eddystone, and the creek was called Olle Stille's Creek. Thomas Holme
Thomas Holme
Thomas Holme was the first Surveyor General of Pennsylvania to actually serve, in which capacity he laid out the original plan for the city of Philadelphia.-Life:...
's map of 1687 labeled the creek "Preest Cr." next to a land grant at the mouth of the creek labeled "Preest" and shows land grants from William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
extending the length of the creek, into the Welsh Tract
Welsh Tract
The Welsh Tract, also called the Welsh Barony, was a portion of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania settled largely by Welsh-speaking Quakers. It covers 40,000 acres to the west of Philadelphia...
at the source.
Water mills were established along the creek early in its history, including the Providence Mills gristmill in 1718, and the Old Mill in Rose Valley in 1789. Providence Mills, located in present day Ridley Creek State Park and now known as Sycamore Mills, expanded to include a nail factory and a saw mill which operated until 1901. The Old Mill started as a snuff mill, then became a paper mill, and finally a woolen textile mill, which operated until about 1880.
In 1826 there were 15 mills operating on the creek, including gristmills, sawmills, cotton mills rolling and slitting mills, snuffmills, a tilt mill, and a woolen mill.
The Leiper Railroad
Leiper Railroad
The Leiper Railroad was a horse drawn railroad that operated between 1810 and 1828 in what is now Nether Providence Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It was replaced by the Leiper Canal, remnants of which are still visible...
, which has a claim to be America's first railroad, operated from 1810-1828 between Thomas Leiper
Thomas Leiper
Thomas Leiper was a Scottish American merchant and local politician who served in the American Revolutionary War...
's quarry on Crum Creek
Crum Creek
Crum Creek is a creek in Delaware County and Chester County, Pennsylvania, flowing approximately , generally in a southward direction and draining into the Delaware River in Eddystone, Pennsylvania. It begins in a swamp near Newtown Square, Pennsylvania along which several mills were established...
to tidewater on Ridley Creek, a distance of about three-fourths mile.
From 1906-1956 the Baldwin Locomotive Works
Baldwin Locomotive Works
The Baldwin Locomotive Works was an American builder of railroad locomotives. It was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, originally, and later in nearby Eddystone, Pennsylvania. Although the company was very successful as a producer of steam locomotives, its transition to the production of...
operated north of the mouth of the creek along the Delaware in Eddystone. Today an Exelon
Exelon
Exelon Corporation is an electricity generating and distributing company headquartered in the Chase Tower in the Chicago Loop area of Chicago. It was created in October, 2000 by the merger of PECO Energy Company and Unicom, of Philadelphia and Chicago respectively. Unicom owned Commonwealth Edison...
generating plant operates in the area. In 2006 Harrah's Chester
Harrah's Chester
Harrah's Chester: Casino and Racetrack is a racino on the Chester, Pennsylvania waterfront.The track's first harness racing season opened on September 10, 2006. Wagering is available on live horse races from April 23 to November 23 on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, and some Fridays; or via simulcast...
established a harness racing track and casino near the south bank of the creek at its confluence with the Delaware River.