Above: Detail from Francis William Edmonds’s “The Speculator” (1852). A rural couple listens skeptically to a representative of the Building Association, identified by the paper in his coat pocket. The salesman—whose top hat, pointed shoes,… Read More »The investment will return the cost thrice over!
What could be less controversial than naming your estate “Buena Vista” when in fact it does have a ‘good view’? But that’s not the reason Delaware senator John M. Clayton chose to rename the ‘Homestead’… Read More »The Delaware estate named for political gain
Fleatown, DE was one of those towns whose only reason to exist was that it was a convenient halfway stopping point between two popular destinations. The distance as the crow flies from the heart of… Read More »Late night revelry for weary travelers
I’m starting to think about how volume 2 in my Delaware history book series will emerge. Certainly one person who towers over 19th century Delaware, and must be included, is John M. Clayton. He’s one… Read More »Delaware railroad evangelist