Seaford, Delaware
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| City of Seaford |
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| Nickname: "Nylon Capital of the World" | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States of America |
| State | Delaware |
| County | Sussex |
| Incorporated | April 6, 1865 |
| Mayor | Edward H. Butler, Jr. |
| Area | |
| - City | 9.09 km² (3.51 sq mi) |
| - Land | 9.01 km² (3.48 sq mi) |
| - Water | 0.08 km² (0.03 sq mi) 1.14% |
| Elevation | 9 m (29 ft) |
| Population | |
| - City (2005) | 6,997[1] |
| - Density | 776.6/km² (2010.6/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Website: www.seafordde.com | |
Seaford is a city located along the Nanticoke River in Sussex County, Delaware. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 6,997.[1] It is the hometown of former baseball player Delino DeShields, former American football player Lovett Purnell, San Francisco writer and performance artist Jon Longhi, Philadelphia poet Eddie Watkins, Aerospace Tycoon Lee F. Booth and it hosted the Seaford Eagles of the Eastern Shore Baseball League. Seaford is the largest city in Sussex county.
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[edit] History
[edit] Exploration by Europeans
The land at the head of the Nanticoke River has long been inhabited by mankind. The Nanticoke Indians and their ancestors have lived along the river for over 6,000 years. The first record of a European to explore the head of the Nanticoke, however, was in 1608 when Captain John Smith set out exploring the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Development along the Nanticoke River was slow partly due to friction that developed between the Nanticoke Indians and the English settlers. Once the conflicts were resolved, development in the area flourished.
[edit] First settlement
All land in current western and southern Sussex County was first settled as part of Maryland. Seaford, along with Bridgeville, Greenwood, Middleford, and others, were all part of Dorchester County in the Province of Maryland. Blades, Laurel, and Concord areas, on the other hand, were part of Somerset County. The area shows a definite link with the British Isles. The majority of the settlers into the Seaford area came from England; but Ireland, Wales, and Scotland are well represented. It is reported that an error in a map coordinate resulted in the east-west line of Delaware being from current Delmar to Fenwick. The original agreement had the east-west line at Cape Henlopen, not at the false cape. If the line had survived, Seaford would now be in Maryland. After many years in the courts of London, the boundary lines are as the surveyors Mason and Dixon defined in 1763.
The first record of any settlement in the area around Seaford was a very large tract of land identified as "Martin's Hundred". This 1,750 acre plot of land, bordered by the Nanticoke river and Herring Creek, was granted to Jeremiah Jadwin of Virginia on January 22, 1672. Despite development in the area, the river was the main highway for many years. It wasn't until 1720 that roads began appearing in court records. The primary industry of the area was agriculture, particularly the cultivation of tobacco, and the style of living was plantation. In addition to agriculture, however, evidence suggests that the area east of where Seaford now resides was a very busy bog iron area.
[edit] Governor Ross and the Civil War
Innovation in agriculture developed through the efforts of William Henry Harrision Ross. Ross became Governor of Delaware in 1850 and had extensive holdings north of Seaford. Ross was in politics throughout his adult life, holding office from January 1851 to January 1885. His principal place of residence was an Italian Renaissance style mansion (which still exists today) in present-day Seaford that he built in 1850.
The Civil War brought division into the community of Seaford, but immediately after the war ended, the town received its charter and was incorporated on April 6, 1865 with a Councilman-Alderman form of government which is still in existence today.
[edit] The arrival of DuPont
In 1939, materials science giant DuPont acquired 609 acres near Seaford for a nylon production plant. The $8.5 million investment (and consequently the 1,400 construction-related jobs it brought) was welcomed by locals with an impromptu parade. The Seaford plant went into production on December 12, 1939 and the first yarn produced by the plant can be viewed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Bulked Continuous Filament nylon, a standard in the carpet industry, was developed at the Seaford plant in 1958. The Seaford plant employed over 4,600 employees at its peak in the late 1960s and early 1970s. By 2004, this number had dropped to about 650. Dupont later spun off the nylon fibers business (along with Lycra and other products such as Teflon) into a wholly owned subsididary called Invista. Invista was later sold to Koch Industries, Inc. for $4.2 billion on April 30, 2004.
[edit] Seaford and drugs
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Seaford was a key hub in East coast crack cocaine distribution; federal agents were occasionally called in to help control gang skirmishes, the gang members themselves often having come from Philadelphia, Baltimore, or Washington, D.C. The city was featured in the September 2, 1986, CBS News documentary 48 Hours on Crack Street.
[edit] Downtown renovations
Seaford is one of seven Main Street communities and one urban district under Delaware Main Street. The National Main Street Center is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Created by a Congressional Charter in 1949, the National Trust is a leading advocate of historic preservation in the United States. The preservation movement involves more than saving historic buildings. Economic growth, urban revitalization and the creation of new jobs are all issues the National Trust addresses through the rehabilitation of historic structures. The Delaware Economic Development Office administers the Main Street Program for Delaware, and works closely with the City of Seaford on these issues.
Seaford's historic downtown area along High Street underwent major renovations in 1999-2000. The completion of the $1.5 million project included many improvements.
Sewer lines were improved, and the city buried cables for cable television, telephone and power under the street and installed underground curb stops (valves which control water flow off the main line to properties).
Next came the improvements to the appearance of the downtown area. Pavement along the entire street from the railroad bridge to Front Street was torn off and new pavement put down. New sidewalks and curbs were put in and new street lights erected.
Landscaping was planted along the street and an irrigation system was installed to keep the plants green. New benches and trash cans were placed along the sidewalk.
Finally, new traffic signals were installed along four intersections downtown. The traffic signals cost $300,000, which was paid for by the state. In addition, a camera mounted along High Street allows state traffic controllers to watch traffic flow and, if necessary, adjust the timing of the traffic lights.
[edit] Today
Growth and flourishment still continue today as Seaford adds more quality businesses and people to its vibrant residence. With more than 500 retail stores and service-related businesses, a stable and respected local government, a diversity of residential developments, a modern hospital and numerous support clinics, elderly care, fine schools and churches, many youth and adult extracurricular educational and recreational programs, numerous volunteer service organizations, and Seaford's location near the most pristine river and recreational beaches on the East Coast, it is little wonder Seaford is considered such a desirable place to live, work and play.
[edit] Geography
Seaford is located at (38.644654, -75.616107)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.1 km² (3.5 mi²). 9.0 km² (3.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (1.14%) is water.
[edit] Climatology
Situated on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, Seaford's weather is moderated by the Atlantic Ocean. Seaford has a mild subtropical climate consisting of hot, humid summers and mild winters. The average daytime high in July is 87°F (30.6°C) and a low of 65°F (18.3°C); in January, the average high is 44°F (6.7°C) with an average low of 25°F (-3.9°C) [2] The month of highest average rainfall is August with 5.59 inches (142.0 mm) of rain, while February is historically the driest month, receiving an average of only 3.17 inches (80.5 mm) of rain.[3]
The highest official temperature ever recorded in Seaford was 102°F (38.9°C) on July 31, 1954[4], while the all-time low was -13°F (-25.0°C) on January 28, 1987[5].
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 6,699 people, 2,629 households, and 1,664 families residing in the city. The population density was 743.2/km² (1,925.9/mi²). There were 2,809 housing units at an average density of 311.7/km² (807.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.04% White, 30.02% African American, 0.37% Native American, 1.49% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 1.72% from other races, and 2.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.25% of the population.
There were 2,629 households out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.8% were married couples living together, 22.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 77.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 69.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,402, and the median income for a family was $39,688. Males had a median income of $30,467 versus $23,490 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,022. About 22.0% of families and 27.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.4% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Transportation
US Route 13 is the main north-south thoroughfare within city limits, with State Route 20 being the main east-west highway. US Route 13 connects Seaford with Bridgeville to the north and Laurel to the south as part of the Sussex Highway. State Route 20 connects Seaford with Millsboro to the east and tiny Reliance, Maryland to the west.
[edit] Education
Students in Seaford are offered a number of public and private school choices.
[edit] Public
Seaford is home to the Seaford School District and services children in the Seaford and Blades. The District contains four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.
[edit] Private
The most notable private school is Seaford Christian Academy.
[edit] Media
[edit] Radio
The only radio station calling Seaford its home is WGBG 98.5 FM, who broadcast just outside the city limits. Calling themselves BIG Rock (Delmarva's Only Classic Rock Station), they play primarily classic rock.
[edit] Television
WDPB-TV 64 is the only television station originating from Seaford. It is a subsidiary of WHYY-TV in Philadelphia and an affiliate of PBS.
[edit] Newspapers
Seaford is home to two weekly newspapers, Seaford Star and The Leader & State Register. Seaford Star is a property of Morning Star Publications, Inc., while The Leader is a publication of Independent Newspapers, Inc. Both retail for 50 cents per issue, but are distributed free of charge to residents each week through curbside or mailbox delivery.
[edit] Points of Interest
Seaford boasts tourism opportunities for all ages and interests.
[edit] Within the city
- Kiwanis Park - a beautiful Memorial Park located on Stein Highway.
- Gateway Park - a park complete with brick sidewalks and a fountain, forming the gateway into beautiful downtown Seaford.
- Soroptimist Park - a park located on Williams Pond complete with a playground and a pavilion for parties.
- Nutter Park - named in honor of past Councilman Henry E. Nutter, Jr.; located in east Seaford with playground equipment and basketball courts.
- Williams Pond Park - a ballpark run by the Nanticoke Little League.
- Sports Complex - the newest park; includes the newly constructed Jay's Nest, the community-built playground. One softball field has been completed to date but three more softball fields, a youth football field, youth hockey field and volleyball court are planned.
- The Jays Nest - Seaford's community built playground.
- Seaford Golf & Country Club - home to a members-only 18-hole course, pool, tennis courts and recently renovated driving range.
- Nanticoke River - in downtown Seaford, the river is paralleled by the recently constructed Nanticoke River Walk
- Seaford Museum - the Seaford Museum is located at 203 High Street in the historic former post office and serves as a repository for items of significance in the history of Seaford; collections and exhibits highlight Seaford area history from Native Americans to present day; the original map of Seaford is on display; the museum is handicapped accessible.
- Ross Mansion and Plantation - located at 1101 North Pine Street Extended in Seaford; former residence of former Delaware Governor William H. H. Ross; it is a 20-acre property that includes in addition to the Mansion, a granary with farm equipment exhibits, carriage house, a Victorian cottage and Delaware's only documented log slave quarters; the Mansion is a brick Italian Villa style structure completed in 1859; it is furnished in authentic Victorian style with many pieces having belonged to the Ross family.
[edit] Near the city
- Woodland Ferry - located west of Seaford, the ferry operates sunup to sundown, seven days a week with no fare charged; the 200-year-old cable-run ferry boat crossing the Nanticoke River, one of the last remaining ferries on the East Coast, was established circa 1793 by the Cannon family, and served as a major river crossing and trading center for travelers.
- U.N.O.I. Mill - over 100 years old, still has the original corn stone in use to create products sold commercially today.
- Patty Cannon House - located at Johnson's Cross Roads, this house is where the noted kidnapping group including Patty Cannon had its headquarters; the group was involved in robbery and entrapment of free blacks in the area; this house was ideal because of its location: one side sits in Maryland while the other side sits in Delaware; today, the house still stands and is a historical landmark.
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ a b Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Deleware (CSV). 2005 Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (June 21, 2006). Retrieved on November 21, 2006.
- ^ http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/19973
- ^ http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/19973
- ^ http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/daily/19973?climoMonth=7
- ^ http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/daily/19973?climoMonth=1
[edit] External links
- Welcome to the City of Seaford, Delaware
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
