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'''Brandywine Springs''', an historic geographical feature near [[Directory:Newport, Delaware|Newport]], [[Directory:Delaware|Delaware]] in northern [[Directory:New Castle County, Delaware|New Castle County]] along the [[Red Clay Creek]], has a fascinating, multi-century story. Its history traces from pre-colonial Native American times and early European settlers' interest in the iron-rich spring water as a medicinal cure. The site was then briefly the focus of a military encampment of about 12,000 Continental soldiers and militia led by General [[George Washington]]. In 1827, an elegant hotel was built on the property. This spa resort was designed by [[T.U. Walker]], the architect of the U.S. Capitol Building. After burning down in 1853, the hotel was rebuilt and continued operation for a number of decades. A new owner in 1886 began to add [[tennis]] courts, boating, a [[merry-go-round]], and a primitive roller coaster, and soon the Brandywine Springs had become a popular [[amusement park]] which would draw crowds until 1924, when it was shut down. Today, the Friends of Brandywine Springs preservation society encourages archeological digs and historical interest in the site.
[[Image:Brandywine Springs landscape.jpg|thumb|350px|right|A watercolor by the architect]]'''Brandywine Springs''', an historic geographical feature near [[Directory:Newport, Delaware|Newport]], [[Directory:Delaware|Delaware]] in northern [[Directory:New Castle County, Delaware|New Castle County]] along the [[Red Clay Creek]], has a fascinating, multi-century story. Its history traces from pre-colonial Native American times and early European settlers' interest in the iron-rich spring water as a medicinal cure. The site was then briefly the focus of a military encampment of about 12,000 Continental soldiers and militia led by General [[George Washington]]. In 1827, work began on what would later be designed as an elegant hotel on the property. An 1830s design of an expansive spa resort was executed by [[Thomas Ustick Walter]], the fourth architect of the U.S. Capitol Building. After burning down in 1853, the hotel was rebuilt and continued operation for a number of decades. A new owner in 1886 began to add [[tennis]] courts, boating, a [[merry-go-round]], and a primitive roller coaster, and soon the Brandywine Springs had become a popular [[amusement park]] which would draw crowds until 1924, when it was shut down. Today, the Friends of Brandywine Springs preservation society encourages archeological digs and historical interest in the site.
==The mineral waters==
==The mineral waters==
==Revolutionary tension==
==Revolutionary tension==
During the Revolutionary War, in August 1777, [[George Washington]] and his colonial army took positions along Red Clay Creek near Brandywine Springs to defend against a British advance on Philadelphia. British forces under [[Earl Cornwallis]] headed for Washington's position while a separate force under Sir [[William Howe]] flanked the colonials to the north, forcing Washington to withdraw across the Brandywine Creek on September 9. Washington chose to hold at some hills next to Chad's Ford on the Brandywine.<ref>[http://www.johnsmilitaryhistory.com/coochsbridge.html Cooch's Bridge]</ref>
On September 11, Howe and Cornwallis 18,000 soldiers attacked Washington's 11,000 men at Chad's Ford, resulting in the [[Battle of Brandywine]]. Washington's men held off the British for much of the day, but were finally outflanked and forced to concede the field. The British, having marched for much of the previous night and needing rest, did not immediately pursue, and Washington's army, having suffered around 1,200 casualties, was able to escape to Germantown.<ref>[http://www.sonofthesouth.net/revolutionary-war/battles/battle-brandywine.htm Battle on the Brandywine]</ref>
==Hotel and spa==
==Hotel and spa==
In 1827, work began on what would later be designed as an elegant hotel on the property. An 1830s design of an expansive spa resort was executed by [[Thomas Ustick Walter]], the fourth architect of the U.S. Capitol Building.
In 1853, Captain Alden Partridge organized a large fundraising meeting in [[Directory:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]],<ref name=Syracuse_Evening_Chronicle>Syracuse Evening Chronicle, ''[http://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%20Disk3/Syracuse%20NY%20Evening%20Chronicle%20Grayscale/Syracuse%20NY%20Evening%20Chronicle%201853%20grayscale.pdf/Syracuse%20NY%20Evening%20Chronicle%201853%20grayscale%20-%200252.pdf All Sorts]'', April 22, 1853.</ref> in support of his idea to launch a military academy on the site of Brandywine Springs, which came to fruition on May 16, 1853, as the National Scientific and Military Academy. However, in December of that same year, the buildings burned down.<ref name=Ellis>William Arba Ellis, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=55caAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA401&dq=%22National+Scientific+and+Military+Academy%22&ei=nyaISve5I4jWzASe8MDVDQ#v=onepage&q=%22National%20Scientific%20and%20Military%20Academy%22&f=false Norwich University, 1819-1911]'', The Capitol city press, 1911.</ref>
In 1853, Captain Alden Partridge organized a large fundraising meeting in [[Directory:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]],<ref name=Syracuse_Evening_Chronicle>Syracuse Evening Chronicle, ''[http://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%20Disk3/Syracuse%20NY%20Evening%20Chronicle%20Grayscale/Syracuse%20NY%20Evening%20Chronicle%201853%20grayscale.pdf/Syracuse%20NY%20Evening%20Chronicle%201853%20grayscale%20-%200252.pdf All Sorts]'', April 22, 1853.</ref> in support of his idea to launch a military academy on the site of Brandywine Springs, which came to fruition on May 16, 1853, as the National Scientific and Military Academy. However, in December of that same year, the buildings burned down.<ref name=Ellis>William Arba Ellis, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=55caAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA401&dq=%22National+Scientific+and+Military+Academy%22&ei=nyaISve5I4jWzASe8MDVDQ#v=onepage&q=%22National%20Scientific%20and%20Military%20Academy%22&f=false Norwich University, 1819-1911]'', The Capitol city press, 1911.</ref> The hotel was rebuilt and continued operation for a number of decades.
During the American Civil War, a temporary "Camp DuPont" was established on the grounds. First established May [[1861]], the camp was home to the Fourth Regiment, Delaware Volunteer Infantry from June through October [[1862]], whence they moved to a camp of the same name near Kennett Pike (now Route 52). The remustered First Delaware Regiment then camped here in February [[1864]], following a 30-day furlough before returning to active service for the Union side in Virginia. The camp was named in honor of Rear Admiral Samuel F. DuPont.<ref name=Del_Archives>State of Delaware, Department of State, ''[http://archives.delaware.gov/markers/ncc/NC-79.shtml Delaware Public Archives]'', historical markers program. Contact: Moira Conlan.</ref>
During the American Civil War, a temporary "Camp DuPont" was established on the grounds. First established May [[1861]], the camp was home to the Fourth Regiment, Delaware Volunteer Infantry from June through October [[1862]], whence they moved to a camp of the same name near Kennett Pike (now Route 52). The remustered First Delaware Regiment then camped here in February [[1864]], following a 30-day furlough before returning to active service for the Union side in Virginia. The camp was named in honor of Rear Admiral Samuel F. DuPont.<ref name=Del_Archives>State of Delaware, Department of State, ''[http://archives.delaware.gov/markers/ncc/NC-79.shtml Delaware Public Archives]'', historical markers program. Contact: Moira Conlan.</ref>
* '''Pre-European settlement''' - Native American gatherings and legends about the iron-rich spring water. Indians came from as far away as Ohio to partake in the foul-tasting waters with supposed medicinal value.
* '''Pre-European settlement''' - Native American gatherings and legends about the iron-rich spring water. Indians came from as far away as Ohio to partake in the foul-tasting waters with supposed medicinal value.
* '''1777''' - General [[George Washington]] preparing an encampment and defense works that was promptly abandoned against the oncoming assault of British generals [[William Howe|Howe]] and [[Charles Corwallis|Cornwallis]]
* '''1777''' - General [[George Washington]] preparing an encampment and defense works that was promptly abandoned against the oncoming assault of British generals [[William Howe|Howe]] and [[Charles Corwallis|Cornwallis]]
* '''1827-1853''' - A fashionable spa and [[hotel]] (designed by U.S. Capitol Building architect [[T.U. Walker]]) located on the site and visited by such notables as [[Henry Clay]]. It burned down in 1853.
* '''1827-1853''' - A fashionable spa and [[hotel]] (designed by U.S. Capitol Building architect [[Thomas Ustick Walter|T.U. Walter]]) located on the site and visited by such notables as [[Henry Clay]]. It burned down in 1853.
* '''1855-1885''' - Rebuilt hotel in operation again.
* '''1855-1885''' - Rebuilt hotel in operation again.
* '''1886-1889''' - Hotel lease turned over to Richard Crook, who adds tennis and croquet courts, boating, swimming, picnic grounds, and a merry-go-round.
* '''1886-1889''' - Hotel lease turned over to Richard Crook, who adds tennis and croquet courts, boating, swimming, picnic grounds, and a merry-go-round.
