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COVER: Acollageofpostcards,andstrawberry ticketsfromtheearlydaysofMillsboro.
MuchlikethetownofMillsboro itself,thispublicationwascreatedandcraftedoutofalove foracommunitythathasarichtradition, andaseemingly brightfuture.
Wepresenttoyou...Millsboro Pointof NoReturn
DarinJ.McCann
Wesetouttodo thisprojectwiththe intentofsharingthe historyofMillsboro, explainingwherethetownistodayandproj ectingwhatthefutureholds,basedonbusinessescomingin,developmentsbeing plannedandtheeffortsoflocalorganizationstohelpimprovethequalityoflifefor thosewholiveorworkinMillsboro.
Nationalstoreshavebeguntotakerootin thetown,thepopulationhassoaredandthe communityhasbecomeadiverseconglomerateoflong-time residentsandmorerecent transplantsrepresentingnearlyeveryrace, religionandnationalityontheglobe.
Butlookmore closelyandyoustill findadowntownfeaturinguniquesmall businesses,afamilyatmosphereandthe generalfeelofatight-knitcommunitythat embracesthechangesaroundthem,but clingstightlytotheirhistoryatthesame time.
Makenomistakeaboutit—Millsboro istheultimateexampleofthechanging landscapeofSussexCountyovertheyears.
ItisapleasureforustohavetheopportunitytocoverMillsboroforourpaper,and anhonortodiveintoitspast.
“It’slocatedatthe
headofnavigation oftheIndianRiver.
MillsboroPondisthe dammed-upheadwatersoftheIndian River,”explained RichardCarter, chairmanofthe DelawareHeritage Commission,and lifelongMillsboro resident.
“Aguynamed ElishaDickerson gotanactthrough theGeneralAssemblyin1791to establishagrist millinanarea knownthenasRockHole.atwastheactual beginningofthetown.SettlersofEnglishancestry hadalreadybeentheresincethelate1600s,butthey weresortofdispersed.Buildingthegristmillthere waskindofwhatbroughtthetowntogether.”
streams,”Carterexplained.Henotedtherewasamill byDoeBridgebehindthecurrentlocationofthe StockleyCenterandanotherbyBettsPondthatpredates1773,butthatwasreplacedandisnowthe homeofWarren’sMill.“erecouldbetwoorthree alongthelengthofthestream,dependingonthe lengthofthewater.”
Inthosedays,Millsborowasontheeastsideof theIndianRiverandalsoknownastheIndianRiver Hundred.ewestsideoftheriver,whichisnow thedowntown areaofMillsboro,wasknown asWashington.
Apostcardsentin 1967depictsa Millsborobridge.
Cartersaidthatabout10gristmillshadbeenestablishedinthegreaterMillsboroarea.
“erewerealotofgristmillsandotherkinds ofmillsinthearea,becausetherewerealotof
Postcardcourtesy
BethTollson
“en,when thetowngotits firstpostofficein the1830s,thefederalgovernment wouldn’tletthem callitWashington, becausetherewere alreadysomany placescalledWashington,sothey madethewhole communityMillsboro.”
Cartersaidthemillindustrywasboominginthe areaupuntiltherewasagrowthinfarminginthe Midwest.
“eycouldfarmonsuchamassivescalethere thattheycouldmillitthereandshipitbytrain cheaperthanlocalgristmillscouldmillitlocally.”
Ahurricaneinthe1930ssealedthegristmills’ fate,whenitdestroyedmanyofthedamsinthe county.
“erewasthishugehurricanethathitourarea backin1933thathitusfromthewest,”saidCarter.
Alookat Millsboro’sroots
continuedfrompage4
“ItwashedoutalotoftheoldmilldamsinSussex County.Becausetheywerealreadyfeelingthepinch fromtheMidwesterngraincompanies,itwasnot economicallyfeasibleforthemtorebuildthosemills.”
erewasalsoaboominthetimberproducts industryintheearly1900s,withtheHouston-White MillandBasketCompanyopeningonthecornerof MainandMonroestreets,whereBrandywineAppartmentsnowstands.
“eymadefruitandproducebaskets,primarily fromgumtreesthattheygotoutintheGreatCypressSwamp,”saidCarter.Headdedthatthebasket industrylasteduntilthe1950s,whenitsuccumbed tocompetitionfromplastics.
MillsborowasalsohometoIndianSwanOrchards,ownedbySelbyvilleresidentandformergovernorandU.S.Sen.JohnG.Townsend.IndianSwan wasapeachandappleorchardjustwestofMillsboro, whereMountaire’sprocessingplantnowstands.
“erewasalargeorchardindustryinSussex County startinginthe ’20sand’30s Townsendwas oneofthebiggest orchardists—not onlyinDelaware, butintheUnited States,”notedCarter.
LifetimeMillsbororesidentandformerU.S.Sen.Richard Cordrey’sfirstjobwasworkingatTownsend’sorchard.
Therewerethree sodafountainson MainStreet, atTruitt’sNewsstand, Varrato’sDrugStore, andattherestaurant —Youreallyweren't at alossfor relaxingtreats.
—EdCarey
theygavethebigboys50centsanhour.”
“Whentheyfirststarteddoingthat,theyhired about20,hoeingaroundthetrees.eyhiredtwo peoplejusttomakesuretheyoungkidshadwateror somethingcoldtodrink.Itwasalldoneinthesummer.esummerswerehotterandthewinterswere colderthantheyaretoday.etemperatureshavereallychanged.”
Cordreysaidthatoneoftheolderboysquitduringthesummer,andhewaspromotedtoatrimmer, witharaisetoboot.
“Igottogoallthewayupfrom35centsanhour to50centsanhour.Istartedhelpingtotrimaround trees.ItgavemeenoughmoneythatIdidn’thaveto askmyparentsforanymoneyatall,”hesaid.“I thoughtitwasterriblehardworkatthetime.Today, theywouldn’tdoitthewaywedidit.Wedideverythingmanually.erewasn’tanyelectricormowing machinesoranythinglikethat.Wedid itwithtrimmersandhoes.”
“Aslongasyoucouldwalk,youcouldwork,”said Cordrey,whostartedworkingtherewhenhewas about13years-old.“atwasmyfirstjobgrowing up.Allthatopenlandthatyouseewasallthose peachandappleorchards.Iwassoyoungatthat time,thefirstpartofthesummerIrememberthey paidthewaterboyslikeme35centsanhour.But
Cordreyfeedtags indicatethe ingredientsusedby C.&S.Growing FeedinMillsboro.
Courtesy DonaldWard
InJanuaryof1946,IndianSwanOrchardswas visitedbyformer FirstLadyEleanor Roosevelt,aftershe andTownsend hadbecome friendswhile servingonthe U.S.delegation tothefirst UnitedNationsGeneral Assembly, heldinLondon.
“Sheandoneofhersonsandhis wife,FayeEmerson,tookatraindowntoWilmington,andthenoneofJohnG.Townsend’sgrandsons metthematthetrainstationinWilmingtonand drovethemdowntoSussexCountytovisitSen. Townsend,”saidCarter.“eyhadlunchwithhimat hishouseinSelbyville,andIbelievetheystoppedat theorchardsontheirwaytoRehobothBeach.
“enationalmediatriedtomakearomance betweenJohnG.Townsend,whowasawidower, andEleanor,whowasawidow,”henoted.“Nothing
cameofit,buttheyhadquiteafuntimeforawhile.”
HollywreathswerealsopartofthelocaleconomyinMillsboroandwereshippedalloverthe UnitedStates,andevenmadeittoHawaii.
“atwasaregionalindustry,”saidCarter“Itwas abigseasonalthingrightbeforetheholidays.Alotof localfarmfamilieswouldmakehollywreathsonthe side,tomakeextramoneyrightbeforeChristmas.”
“Itwasarealindustry.elocalentrepreneurs organizedanumberoffarmers’housewivestomake hollywreaths,”recalledDonaldWard,whogrewup fivemilesoutsideofMillsboro,byCarey’sCamp,and stilllivestheretoday.
Wardsaidtherewerehollytreesonhisfamily’s farm,andheremembershismothermakingwreaths tosell.
“eholly-wreathmanwouldcomeandbuythe hollywreathsfromyouandtakethemtothetrain stationandshipthemtothecity.Whentheystarted intheearly’30s,mymotherwasgetting3cents apiece.Shemadethemfrom1933until1949.Irememberhermakinghollywreaths.Irememberthe
Historyisimportant. Forone,there’stheold phrase,thosewho don’tknowhistoryare doomedtorepeatit. It’salsoimportant becauseyoudon’t knowthepast,yetwe inhabitarealmthatis verymuchinfluenced bythepast.Ithinkit’s veryimportanttoat leastknowsomething aboutthehistory ofyourarea. Alotofthecultural standardsbywhich welivearedetermined byhistory.
—RichardCarter
holly-wreathmancomingandbuyingthem.Ithink thepriceeventuallywentupabit,tomaybe5cents.”
BecauseWard’sfamilylivedoutsideoftown,his familydidn’tgetelectricityuntilthe1940s,afterthe RuralElectrificationAct,whichprovidedfederal loansfortheinstallationofelectricaldistributionsystemstoruralareas.
“Itwasalotdifferentgrowingup5milesoutside ofMillsboro.Itellmygrandchildren,asItoldmy children—whenIcamehomefromthehospital therewasnobigelectricsignwelcomingmehome, becausewedidn’thaveanyelectricity,”hesaid.
“Millsborothetownhadelectricity,butmuchof thecountrysideintheearly’40sIassureyoudidnot haveelectricity.Andifyoudon’thaveelectricity, there’ssomethingelseyoudon’thave—running water.Ineverunderstoodtheconceptofthisconvenientthingwecallashower.”
Oncetheygotelectricity,Ward’sfamilywasthen abletohavearadiointhehouse.
continuedfrompage7
“Allofasudden,youwereconnectedtothe worldnomatterwhereyouwent,”hesaid.“Atelephone?Weheardaboutthem.Wedidn’tgetatelephoneuntil1953.
“Sometime afterthatwegot thismarvelous, marvelousthing calledthetelevision.Itwasblackand-white,andit pickedupone channel,because wehadthisantennathingonthe roof.”
Beforethe Wardfamilygotelectricity,themain sourceofinformation andnewswasfoundat thelocalcountrystore.
farms.
“Myparentshadafewchickens,”saidWard.“A fewbytoday’sstandards.Itseemedlikealottome. Wehad7,000chickens.Today,ifyousaid7,000 chickens,thatwouldbesomekindofjokeoryou wouldberaisingspecialtychickens,becausefarmers have200,000chickens.”
MillsbororesidentNorrisGodwin grewuponafarm justoffRoute113 andhadtohelphis familytendtothe chickens.
“Saturdaynights we’dgototheLowe’s CrossingCountry Store.Youcouldtake youreggsanddo yourdealings,and thatwouldbeyour mainsourcefornews.”
EdCarey,whosefamilyownedCarey&Smith CountryStoreonLaurelRoad,justacouplemiles westofMillsboro,agreed.
“WhenIgrew up,everybodyhad asmallfarmand raisedthegrain themselves.Now, becausefarm equipmentisso expensiveand big,youhaveto doalotofacres, sharecropit,”he said.“Myfather keptmepretty busyonthefarm. Oneofmyjobswas cleaningoutchicken houses.”
“Itwasaplacefortheexchangeofinformation —someofitIprobablyshouldn’thaveheard,”hesaid withalaugh.
elmaMonroealsodidnothaveelectricityin herfamily’shomeonRoute30.
“Wehadoillampsandagas-generatedrefrigerator,”shesaid.
Cartersaidthat“farmingwasalwaysthebig thing”forthetown,andmanyfamilieshadtheirown
AU.S.PostalCard addressedtoMr. A.D.Johnsonin Millsboro.e cardnotespayment receivedandwas mailedfrom Philadelphia.
Courtesy DonaldWard
IsabelWharton Smith,now95,moved toMillsboroin1940 whenshemarriedFrank Smith,whohadgrown upinthetown.
“ItwasamuchbiggertownthanOceanView,” recalledSmith,whogrewuponMuddyNeck.
e Smithfamilystartedraisingchickensinthe 1940s,withjustfourchickenhouses.
“Peopledon’tevenknowwhatworkis,atleast whenitcomestochickens,”saidSmith.“atwas hardwork.eygotalifeofitnow!”
Smith’shusbandworkedadayjobattheStock-
leyCenter,soshestayedhomeandtendedtothe family’sfarm—whichinvolvedfeedingthechickens, cleaningthehousesandheatingthemwithstoves whenitgotcold.
“atwashardworkatthattime,”shesaid, addingthatittookabout12to14weekstogrowa flocktomaturity.
Inthe1940sand1950s,local poultryfarmerswouldtaketheir flockstotheSelbyvillePoultryExchangetosellthem.
“ItwasatthelittlewhitecementblockbuildinginSelbyville acrossfromHollyKia,”said Smith’ssonBruce.“Atthetime, therewasnobigconglomerate, likePerdueorMountaire.Itwas alllittlelocalfarmers.eywouldgo thereandauctionofftheseflocksofchickens.en theywouldtakethemtotheprocessingplant.”
thepoultryindustry.
Cordreysaidthemillwasrunwithabout10 peopleandthatthefeedwasshippedinbytrain.
“Itcametousbyrailroadcarsin100-pound bagsoffeed.eywouldleavethecarsrightonthe sideofthetrack,rightclosetoourfeedmill,andwe wouldsendtrucksdownandtake100bagsoffata timeandtakethemtothepoultryfarm,”hesaid.“We workedatthat.Todayit’ssosimple,it’sunreal.”
en,in1948,theybuiltBrasure&Smith SouthernStatesIndependentCooperativeonWillowDrive.
“ewholebuildingwasbuiltwithoutany powerequipment,”saidBruceSmith.“Everything wassawedbyhand,nailedbyhand.”
Brasure&SmithSouthernStateswasoriginally a feedstorethatsuppliedthesurroundingvicinity withfeedandfarmsupplies.
FeedmillswerepredominantinMillsboro,as well.Cordrey’sfamilyhadtheJohnA.CordreyFeed Mill,rightnexttotherailroadtracks.
“ItwasthebiggestindustryinMillsboroatthe time.Itwasamajorindustryhere,”saidCordreyof
isisthebackof theoperaticket fromthecover.e
juniorclassat MillsboroHigh Schoolwasholding achickensalad supperfor35cents tohelpraisefunds.
Courtesy DonaldWard
Godwin’sfamilyalsohada feedmill,H.E.Williams& Co.,locatedonthecornerof WestMonroeandHoustonstreets.He,too,would havetogotothetrainstationtounloadbagsoffeed.
“atwasoneofmy jobswhenIwasayoungster,”herecalled.“Wehada machinethatwasanevacuator.Youwouldshovelandsweepthecornintothe nozzle,anditwouldsuckitup.erewouldbe40 tonstoaboxcar,andwecouldget10tonsonatruck.”
WithMillsborohometoagrowingpoultryindustry,theDelawarePoultryLaboratorywasestablishedbyDr.HiramN.Lasher,aMillsbororesident.
“Dr.Lasherwassomethingofageniusinthe areaofpoultryfarming.Hecamedowntothisarea, afterWorldWarII,whenthebroilerindustrywas becomingabigthing.Heestablishedthatpoultry vaccinebusiness,”saidCarter.“Dr.Lasherlatersold DelawarePoultryLaboratorytotheSterlingdrug
See Past page10
An Alternative to Traditional Banking
Seaford Federal Credit Union was founded in 1970 by the parishioners of St. Luke’s Church.
In 2008, we opened a full-service branch with ATM in Millsboro. The of ce is conveniently located on Route 113 South past McDonald’s.
We offer a wide range of nancial services and competitive rates on savings and loans.
Membership is open to those who live, work or worship in Sussex County.
company,whichwasthemanufacturerofBayerAspirin.Heworkedwiththemformanyyearsafterhe soldthecompanytothem.”
AfterretiringfromSterling,Lasherwentonto establishAkzo-Nobel,anothervaccinecompany.
eVlasicPicklePlantalsoopenedonState Streetinthe1970s.
“atwaskindofinteresting,becauseitplayed intotheagriculturalandfarmingindustryofthe area,”saidCarter.
Asidefromthetown’sindustries,Millsborowas justwhatyou’dexpectinasmalltown.
“Everybodywasafriend.at’sjustthewayit wasbackthen,”recalled longtimeMillsboro residentLynnBullock, whoatonetimeserved asthetown’smayor.
“Youusedtobeableto calleverybodybytheir firstnamebackthen.”
Askanyoneofa certainagewhogrewup inMillsborowhatitwas likewhentheywere young,andthat’sjust whatthey’llsay.
“It’schanged.When Igrewupyouknew everybodywholivedhere,” saidGodwin.“erewas notraffic—justdirtroads,farmfields.Soyoucansee howit’schanged.”
Iremembergoing tothemovieswitha verylittleamountof moneyandstillhaving enoughleftoverfor acandybar.
—EdCarey
Truitt’sparentsranabarbershopand magazine/newspaperstandoutofthedownstairsof thefamily’shome.
“Iusedtoliketositinthebarbershopandhear theoldfolkstalkabouttheolddays,”saidTruitt. IfyoulivedinMillsboro,MainStreetwasthe mainplacetobeonSaturdays—forworkandfor fun.
CordreyrecalledworkingatLeGrandeStore, whereJR’sFineMusicnowis,onMainStreet,every FridaynightandalldaySaturday.
“at’showalotofusyoungguysmadeour spendingmoney,soifwewantedtotakeayounglady outforadate,wehadsomemoney,”hesaid.
“Itwasawholedifferentplace,”recalledCarter. “Everybodykneweverybodyelse.elocalkids wouldleavehomeatthecrackofdawn,andwe’d spendalldayoutplayingandrunningaround.We’d comehomeforlunch,andthenwe’dbeoutagain untildarkpractically.”
Schoolchildrenat MillsboroSchool, includingJames Dryden(back, center),whowould laterbecomea photographer himself.
“Whenyouworkedinagrocerystore,you didn’tworkinasupermarket.Youworkedinagrocerystore.ey cametoyouand youcametothe counter,andthey wouldsay,‘Iwant twocansofbeans,’ andyouwouldgo gettwocansof beansandput themdown.If theyneededa quartofmilk,you wenttotherefrigeratorforthem andputitdown. Afteryouhadit allputtogether, youaddeditup onapieceofpaperandhopedtheypaidyou,and thengotothenextcustomer.”
Cordreysaidthatbothheandhisbrother workedatthestoreandmade50centsanhour.
Bullockalsoworkedatthesamegrocerystore andalsonotedthestorewasnotwhatgrocerystores aretoday.
“ebestwayIcandescribeitwasitwasalittle holeinthewall.Itwasrealtiny.Iwasoldenoughto drive,andwedeliveredgroceriestotheolderladiesin Past continuedfrompage9
VirgilTruitt,whoownsTruitt’sCarpetService onMainStreet,wasbornin1939andgrewupina housethatoncestoodwhereDollarGeneralisnow.
Courtesy BethTollson
See Past page12
Calendar of Chamber Events
Fourth of July Parade @10am at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
August Big Thursday, Second Thursday
August Golf Classic, at Baywood Greens, August 27th, Tee Time @ 9am
September Millbilly Festival & Redneck Games, September 21st
October Little Miss Millsboro Pageant, Third Sunday
October Family Night Out with the Millsboro Police Department, Millsboro Trick or Treat Night
December Millsboro Christmas Parade, Second Wednesday @ 7pm
Membership Lunch Meeting Third Thursday of each month. Location varies, check our Website
Become A Chamber Member
Free business link from website
Business listing on website
Of ce referrals
Halpern Eye discount
Marketing material in Chamber of ce
Low cost advertising opportunities
Event sponsorships throughout the year
town.”
MainStreetwasalsohometoAbleman’sDepartmentStoreandVerrato’sDrugStore.
“Itwasn’tlikewhatyouhaveinadrugstorein thisdayandtime.Youcould getaspirinandcandiesandlittlepresents,stufflikethat,”said Bullock.
Monroe—whowasthe firstfemalemayorinthestate ofDelaware,letaloneMillsboro—wasmarriedtoWalter Monroe,whosefamilyowned W.P.Monroe&Sons,whichis wherethetwofirstmet.
“Itwasaboomingplace. Wewouldcomeintotown everySaturday.Iwentwith Mothertogetapairofshoes,” saidMonroe.“atwasthe end—Iwantedhim.”
eMonroestorewas oneofmanythatservicedboth localMillsbororesidentsand thoseinsurroundingtowns.
“Whenwedrovewithmy grandmothertoMillsboro fromFrankford,wethought wehadhitthebigcity,”said AmySimmons,nowexecutive directorfortheMillsboro ChamberofCommerce.
thePhiladelphiaPhillies(1920-1925)andBoston Braves(1932-1935).
“Heusedtobeaprofessionalballplayer,andhe nameditBalleaterwhenhestartedthetheater up,”saidBullock.“Foraquarter,youcouldgoinand stayalleveningandseewhateverwasthemainmovie attraction.”
IsabelSmithsaidthat,whenshewasnewlymarried,sheandherhusband wouldgotothemoviesorplay cardsforentertainment.Cordreysaidthatthemovieswere theplacetotakeadateonaSaturdaynight.
“Allthefarmerscameintotowntodotheir shoppingonMainStreet,”addedGodwin.“By lunchtime,allthedowntownwasdeserted,exceptfor themovietheateronSaturdaynights.Mostofthe kidsthatlivedintown,weallwenttothemovieson Saturdaynightsfor25cents.”
eBalleatre—nowhometotheUnited FaithChurchonMainStreet—wasopenedinthe 1930sbyWalter“Huck”Betts,aMillsboromanwho playedMajorLeagueBaseballandwasapitcherfor
Aportraitofyoung photographer JamesDryden.
Courtesy BethTollson
“AlltheMillsboroboys datedGeorgetowngirls,andall theGeorgetownguysdated Millsborogirls.Iwouldmostly travelfromMillsboroto Georgetownforsocializing,”he said.“Mosttimes,youwouldgo tothemovies.erewasa restauranthereinMillsboro. You’dstopbyandgetsomecake orwhatever.Eachtownhada placelikethatwhereyoucould takeadate.”
Asfortransportation, manyresidentsusedponies,as opposedtocars.Truittrecalled hekeptaponyinthebackyard andwouldridetoschooltoplay, thenslapthehorse’srump,and thehorsefounditswayhome.
“Wehadponies.Werode poniesallaround.Youcould rideanywherebackthen.Icouldgooutandjumpon theponyandjustgowhereIwantedto,”addedGodwin.
“Eventhoughwehadcars,wecertainlydidn’t travelthenaswedonow,”saidWard.
Carey,whosefamilyhasdeeprootsinthetown andownsCarey’sPaintandHardwareonState Street,rememberedtakingasteamlocomotivefrom MillsborotoWilmingtonwithhisgrandmotherand auntasachild.
“Wewouldgoup asanannualexcursion —itwasabigdeal.Iremembergoingintothe station..Icanalmost smellit.Itwasexciting tome.”
Asapastime, manywouldtravelto theboardwalkatOak Orchard,whichno longerexists,orenjoy theIndianRiver.
“WhenIwasin highschool,myfriendsandIallhadboatsandwould spendallourtimeoutonthelocalpondsandthe river.Wewouldgohuntingafterschooleveryday…It wasadifferentworld,”saidCarter.“NowthatIlook backonit,Irealizethatitwasallprettyold-fashioned.Didn’tseemlikeitatthetime.”
thewoodsthatwere onceadjacenttoCupola Park,whereHunters Pointenowstands.
“Weplayedalllong throughthere.Wehad fortsandeverything... TalkaboutHuckleberry FinnandTomSawyer.”
AlthoughthelandmarkBrownv.Boardof Educationcasewasdecidedin1954,ittook Delawaremorethana decadeforitsschoolstobe fullyintegrated.Priortothat,African-AmericanstudentsattendedtheWilliamC.JasonSchool,whichis nowEastMillsboroElementary.
eNanticokeIndiansalsohadtheirownseparateschool,knownasthe“LittleSchool,”forgrades
Careyremembersplayinginawoodedarea called“TigerAlley,”nearMorrisStreet,aswellasin
“Family
Anoldphotograph ofMillsboroHigh School.
onethrougheight.
“WhenIwasintheseventhgrade,theNanticokeIndiankidsbegangoingtoMillsboroSchool,” recalledCarter.
“eyweregonnacloseourschool,”saidLeolga Wright,wholivesintheOakOrchardarea,ofthe LittleSchool.“AfewpeoplemetwithSen.John Williams.Wewerekindacaughtinthemiddle.We werenotconsideredblack,notconsideredwhite,had ourownschool,hadourownteacher.In’62Ibelieve someofuswenttoMillsboroHighSchool.Ayearor twoafterthat,integrationstarted.Ican’tsay,asa Nanticoke,truthfully,thatwehadanyissues.”
Segregationwaspresentinthetown,though,as itwaseverywhereelseinthecountryatthetime. EventheBalleatrehadabalconywhereAfricanAmericanpatronshadtosit.
“Yougotothelocalmovietheater,andtheblacks
Photocourtesy DonaldWard
Ifyouthinkit’s smallnow,thinkback
60yearsago— Itwasverysmall.
—Richard Cordrey
hadtositinthebalconyandthewhiteshadtosit below,”saidCarter.“IvisitedSouthAfricain1987, whenapartheidwasstillineffect.Manyoftheaspectsofapartheidremindedmeofgrowingupin SussexCountyinthe1950s.Delawarewasvery muchofapartoftheOldSouthinthosedays,in manyrespects.”
Asidefromthoseaspects,though—andno matterwhatthepresentis,orwhatthefutureholds —everyonewhogrewupthereseemstolookatthe town’spastwithfondness.
“Iwouldn’tleaveMillsboro.Ijustwouldn’t,”said Godwin.
“erewasnoquestion,”saidWard.“Ialways knewIwantedtocomebackhome.”
“I’vebeenalivefor79yearsandlivedhere80,” saidCordrey.“I’vealwayslovedthetown.Iwouldn’t havewantedtoberaisedanywhereelse.Ienjoyit.I justlovemytownhere.It’sagreattowntoraisea family.”
StorybyMariaCounts
Millsboro Whereis today?
Today,Millsboro’sremainingmillsarethatin nameonly.ebustlinglittletownofyesteryearhasbecomeamajorhubofactionby “SlowerLowerDelaware”standards,andcertainlyby trafficpatterns.
Withapopulationof3,877,accordingtothe2010 U.S.Census,Millsborotownlimitshaveincreasedto includeshoppingcenters,housingdevelopmentsand thehugemigrationofpeoplefromotherstatesand countrieswhofinallynoticedthearea’sfamouslylow taxes.
Nolongercarryingpassengers,trainsstillrattle throughthetown,thoughonlywithcargo,leavingpeopletoswarmthehighwaysintheirpersonalvehicles.
“Ifyoulookatitgeographically,youhavetogo throughMillsborotogetanywhere,”saidlifelongresidentGaryBrittingham.
emainintersectionofMillsborohaslongsat whereRoutes113and24intersectandsetpeopleon theirway.PeoplezipsouthtoBethanyBeachand
Downtown Millsboroasitis today.Trafficis busyaspeoplehead totheirhomesafter adayswork.
Photoby MariaCounts
OceanCity,Md.,ornorthtotheRoute95megalopolisesofWilmington,PhiladelphiaandNewYork. Twomoretrafficsignalswerepreviouslytheonlyinterruptionsonthehighway,justnorthandjustsouthof townlimits.
PeninsulaCrossingShoppingCenterchanged everything.Withgrandopeningsin2009,anchor storesBJ’sWholesaleClubandLowe’s,andtheupcomingPetSmart,havebroughtmajormodernchainstores thatSussexCountianshadpreviouslytraveledtoSalisbury,Md.,topatronize.Smallerretailtenantsarefilling theadjoiningstripmall,andeventhelong-established northernMillsboroMcDonald’smoved,tobethefirst restaurantthereonthehighway.
atonlyaddstothehundredsofotherbusinessesintown:Severalgroceryanddrugstores,restaurants,automechanics,fastfood,furniture,professional servicesandmuchmore.
“Ineverwouldhaveimaginedit,evenasateenager,”
See Present page18
continuedfrompage16
saidAmySimmons,nowexecutivedirectorofthe GreaterMillsboroChamberofCommerce.“Whenwe drovewithmygrandmothertoMillsborofromFrankford,wethoughtwehadhitthebigcity.”
eDelawareDepartmentofTransportationhas adjustedtrafficflowbyremovingmanyofthehighway crossovers.CarscanstillmakeU-turns,butmostcrossstreetsnolongercrossthehighway.atwaspartofan efforttoreduceperpendicularcarcollisions.
AlsonorthandsouthofMillsboroarenewhousingcommunitiesthatseemtohavedoubledthesizeof thetown.PlantationLakesonwestRoute24andthe MillwoodonMitchellStreetarestillbuildingandsellinghomestoday,havingmovedpastthe2004realestatebubbleburst.
“Backinthe‘80s,therewasnothingdowntothe
emostcurrent zoningmapof Millsboroshows somelandthathas notbeenannexed. epinkzonein thenorthcouldbe usedforaproposed casino,whilethe adjoiningorange sectionswouldconnectthatlandto townlimits.ere isnoofficialplanto annexthoselands atthistime.
Mapcourtesy TownofMillsboro
beach,”saidlongtimeresidentGeorge“Rusty”Rust. “Nowyoucan’tevenmove,there’ssomanypeople.”
Rustandhiswifebuilttheirhomein1986,within eyesightofahugeTownsendfarm.Now200homesin ePlantationarethere.Hepaidforhishousebysellingwoodcarvings.Propertyvalueshaveleaptupsince then.
“It’sagrowingtown,”saidBrittingham,describing thesupportforexpansionandnewshoppingcenters.“It alwayswasaprogressivetown.”
AlthoughRoute113longagoexpandedtoadual highway,downtownMillsboroisstillamazeofsinglelanestreets,allofwhichswarmwithsummertimetraffic.
Eachday,MainStreet (partofRoute24)points thousandsofcars,trucksandbusseseastwardtothe AtlanticOcean,RehobothBeach,LewesandLong Neck.
Manyoftheeastboundtruckshaveonlytwomore milestotravelafterleavingtownlimits.eyareaiming
forthe2,800-acreMountairepoultryprocessingplant. MountairetookovertheformerTownsend’splantin 2000tocontinuetheDelmarvapoultrytradition.
Mountairehashiredaround2,000DelmarvaresidentstoworkattheMillsborofacility,accordingto RogerMarino,corporatecommunityrelationsdirector forMountaire.epropertyincludescentraloffices, administration,ahatchery,processingplant,transportationcenter,thenewly-builtresourcerecovery plantand more.
“Asthedemandforproductsgrow,wecontinueto grow,”Marinosaid.“Asouremploymentnumbersgrow, theimpactonthetownandtheeconomywillbepositive.Mountaireandthepeopleweemploycontribute significantlytothestateandlocaleconomy.
“Mountairedesirestobeagoodcorporatecitizen,” headded.“Webelieveverystronglyinbeingapositive impactinthecommunitieswhereweoperate.Webelieveindoingtherightthingintheplaceswherewelive, work,playandpray.”
Mountairehasparticipatedintransportation workshopsheldbytheDelawareDepartmentof Transportationandencourageseffortstoenhancesafe transportation.
“Wesupportthemissionofimprovedtrafficflow forMillsboroandallthevehiclesthatusetheroads,” saidMarino.“Asensibleplanthatreducesthetraffic slowdownsandimprovestheflowofvehicleswillbe welcomedbyourdrivers,employeesandmanagement.”
“IthinkthegrowthisOK,”saidAngelMalabet,a MainStreetsmall-businessowner.“Ihaven’tseenwhere it’saffectedthese[downtown]businessowners.AndI thinkitbroughtmoreattentiontoMillsboro.”
ForsixyearsoneastboundRoute24,Malabethas
Thisisaverynice town.Peoplearevery friendly.Allthestore ownersareverynice. IlovehavingabusinesshereinMillsboro. Ilovethesmall-town imageithas...When peopletalkabout Millsboro,they’relike, ‘Where?’Thetownhas alotofcharm.Just bringitoutandbringa littlemoreattention.
—AngelMalabet, Millsboro businessowner
seenthousandsoflivechickentruckspasshisbusiness atLegendaryBarbershopandLegendaryBeautySupplies.Hesaidit’sa“touchy”situation,butthereusually isn’talingeringodorfromtheprocess.
“isisavery nicetown.Peopleareveryfriendly. Allthestoreownersareverynice,”saidMalabet,evenif, henoted,theon-streetparkingsituationisnotsonice. Millsboro’scentralityhasmadeforagreatbusinesses location.
“IlovehavingabusinesshereinMillsboro.Ilove thesmall-townimageithas,”saidMalabet,addinghe justfeelsthedowntownneedstoworkonitsimageand bemoreinviting.“WhenpeopletalkaboutMillsboro, they’relike,‘Where?’etownhasalotofcharm.Just bringitoutandbringalittlemoreattention.”
OrganizationssuchastheMillsboroDowntown Partnershipareworkingtowardthatvery goal.MDPis afederally-designatedMainStreetprogramdesigned torevitalizeMillsborobutkeepthehistoricalsignificance,throughprojectswithbusinessesandresidents.
Withjustafewchanges,theysay,Millsborocould beadestination,notjustathoroughfare.
“It’sveryeasy,withtheamountoftraffic,tractor trailers,chickentrucks.You’relookingstraightahead. You’reonyourwaytothebeach.…Youhaveyour blindersonandyou’rejustdriving,andI’mguiltyofit too,”saidJessicaWiggins,ownerofthedowntown eateryBlueWaterGrill.“Wejustneedpeopletostop andparkandrealizethere’slotsofsmallbusinessesthat offergoodservices,andthattheymightreallyappreciateit.”
WigginsandherhusbandtookoverBlueWater Grillin2007.eLongNeckresidentsusedtojust
See Present page20
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Native Plants, Drought Tolerant Plants, Organic Products such as fertilizers, insecticides & herbicides.
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continuedfrompage19
drivestraightthroughMillsboro,too.
“etownhasalotofpotential,”saidWiggins. “Welovethepeople.Youdefinitelygetallwalksoflife: peoplewholivedintowntheirentirelife,transients,retirees,lotsoffamilies.”
Anothergoalistogetthosebigtrucksoutof downtownMillsboro,possiblyontoafuturebypass. atwillleaveroomforpeopletoslowdownandlook aroundMillsboro,perhapswiththehelpofnewcrosswalkscourtesyDelDOT,somehope.
“Wecareabouttheentiretown,andanybody whowantstogetinvolved ,weencouragethemto.It’s alwaysaworkinprogress,”saidWiggins,alsocofounderandpresidentoftheMDPboard.
Withgrantmoneyandtimeplayingakeyrole, MDPislookingatthetownasawhole,including streetscaping,businessretentionandfaçadeimprovement.eiraccomplishmentstodateincludeacommunitybranding,aJ.C.Penneycatalogstore,three downtowncleanups,severalfundraisers,MainStreet trainingconferences,thetown’snewfarmers’market andmore.
eMDPwascreatedwithinspirationfromthe MillsboroGardenClub,whichhadformedyearsbeforehandtohelpthesmalltownmaintainearlybeautificationefforts—namelyflowerplanters.eGarden Clubhasplantedseveralgardensandaround30flowerpotsintown,includingalongthebridgeandin CupolaPark.eymaintainmostoftheplanters themselves,butneighborshavebegunhelpingtowater
WiththeMillsboroArt LeagueandMillsboro PublicLibraryadding informationand culture,Millsboro’s childrenhave theopportunityfor awell-rounded education.Mostof themattendschool rightintownuntil theageof14, atEastMillsboro Elementaryand MillsboroMiddle schools.
theplants,boostingsometownpride.
“Ithinkwe’veencouraged alotofcleanup,alotof sprucingupofbusinessfronts,”saidclubpresident CarolJarboe.“Peoplehavestartedtakingbettercare andputtingtheirownplantsoutthere.…Weallwork together,doingwhateverwecantohelp.
“Welovethesmalltownandthecommunity,”said Jarboe.“It’slargeenoughthatyoucanbeprivate.Your businessisyourown.Butsmallenoughthatyougetto knoweverybody.Everythingisaboutchurch,kidsand sports,inmypersonalview.”
JarboemovedtoMillsborofromAnneArundel County,Md.,followingafterherdaughter,whoserves asacoachfortheMillsboroLittleLeague.ougha transplantherself,Jarboehasbeenaroundlong enoughthatshe’sseenaconsiderableamountoffarmlandturnintohouses,firstinMaryland,then Delaware.
WiththeMillsboroArtLeagueandMillsboro PublicLibraryaddinginformationandculture,Millsboro’schildrenhavetheopportunityforawellroundededucation.Mostofthemattendschoolright intownuntiltheageof14,atEastMillsboroElementaryandMillsboroMiddle(formerlySussexCentral Middle)schools.
Afterward,theytraveltwomilesnorthoftownto thenewlocationofSussexCentralHighSchool, whichmovedfromGeorgetownin2004.
Accordingtostateeducationstatistics,EastMillsboroElementary’sstudentpopulationisdiverse:55.3 percentwhite,17.6percentHispanic,17.4percent African-American,2.2percentAmericanIndian,2.1 percentAsianand5.4percentmulti-racial.
“Allinall,Ithinkit’sagoodplacetolive,”saidresi-
dentLeolgaWright,whoherselfhastiestothelocal NanticokeIndiantribe.“We’renotimmunetothefact thatthere’scrimeineveryarea.Itjustseemsthatitgets localizedeveryonceinawhile.It’snotlike[cities], whereeverytwodaysyouhearsomeonegetsshoton thestreet.”
“ere’ssomanysmallchurches,”Jarboesaid. “Everybodygoestochurch.Churchisimportant,and they’llsayit.”
Althoughbusinessisusuallythetalkofthetown, there’sfuntobehadinMillsboro.CupolaPark loungesontheIndianRiver,peacefullywatchingover thebusybridgecarryingRoute24traffic.Withawaterfrontplayground,theparkoffersfuntimeforfree. JessicaWigginssaidshewouldliketoseemoreboats andfishermenenjoythewater,too.
Stillinitstoddlerhood,theMillsboroFarmers MarketiswalkingonnewlegsatCupolaPark.Aftera fewswitches,MDPorganizersmayhavefoundthe perfectsettingthereonWednesdaymorningsfrom MemorialDaytoLaborDay.eparkfeaturesplenty ofspace,parking,recreation,picnicbenchesandmore.
Nolongerhometoamain-streetmovietheater, thetowninsteadfeaturestheMillsboroLanesbowlingalley,hometoleagueswithbowlersofallagesand openbowlingforthenovices.
DrivingthroughtownonTuesdaynights,travelerscanalsoseepeopleembracinghistoryattheclassic
enewlyremodeledMillsboro TownCenteris hometoMillsboro TownHall,as wellasthe GreaterMillsboro Chamberof Commerceand afuturetown museum.
Photoby MariaCounts
Ithinkthatit[the town]isgoingfull blast.Ithinkthey’re
smart.Ithinkthey’ve
madeit.
—elma Monroe
carcruise-inatthegrassylotbytheDairyQueen.
“Abunchofoldcarswouldcomehereandthen theywouldsitaroundandtalktotheirfriendsand spendmoneyinyourestablishment”washoworganizerGeorge“Rusty”Rustoriginallypitchedtothe powers-that-be.Asof2013,“It’snowbeen12years.” Rustandhisfriendsstartedtheweeklycruise-inafter theytiredoftravelingtoWilmingtonforasimilar event.
“Ijustlikeoldcars.Everybodyhasahobby,and mineisoldcars,”Rustsaid.
Millsboro’sBigursdayFestivalhasscaledback inrecentyears,compressingfromthreedaystoonebig dayinAugust,asfewernewcomersrecognizethehistoricalsignificanceofthelongtimeevent.
Buttwonewerfestivalsarejoiningthespotlight. FestivalHispañomovedfromGeorgetowntoMillsboroaroundthestartofthenewmillennium.Alarge HispanicpopulationinfluxfromCentralandSouth Americahasbroughtanewperspective,food,music andculturetoMillsboro.atalsomeansseveral Mexicanrestaurantsandshopshavebroughtnewflavorstotown.eAugustfestivalcelebratesallthose things,invitingDelmarvanativestotrysomething newwhileorganizersrememberandsharetheirheritage.
eChamberofCommerce’snewestprojectis See Present page22
theMillbillyFestival&RedneckGames,settopremiereinSeptemberof2013.HearkeningbacktoDelmarva’sruralandagriculturalroots,therewillbea chickin’pickin’contest,cornholetournament,redneck petparadeand“bedknobsandredneck”bedraces downtown.
Millsboro’sChristmascelebrationshaven’t changed,though.Eachwinter,Christmastreelights ontheriverwelcomepeoplecrossingthebridgeinto town.eholidayparadealsobringswarmthtothe chillycitystreets,withbands,beautyqueens,floats, legislators,firetrucksandmuchmore.
eNanticokeIndianAssociationinOakOrchardhaslongintertwinedwithMillsboro.Further celebratingcultureonthecoast,theannualSeptember powwowisstilltheirbiggestfunctionandfundraiser. Completewithstorytelling,antiqueheaddresses,traditionalgarbandhundredsofAmericanIndiandancers, thepowwowisopentothepublic,allowingthemto experiencelivinghistoryinthewoodsofOakOrchard.
“Ithinkit’swonderful.I’velived hereall mylife.Ithasgonefrombeingaquiet, reservedfarmlandarea,nowtosome oftheareasbeingdevelopedbecausewe’reclosetothebeach,” saidWright,apowwoworganizer.“Itusedtobewe couldseeadifferencewhen fallstartedandschool started.Alotof[people] wouldgobackhome,but youdon’tseeitasmuch,becausealotofthemstayhere.”
It'scertainlygotten busier.Ithasexploded insomeways.
—EdCarey
Amillstonewelcomesvisitorsto Millsboro.e stoneislocatedin themedianof Route113.
“Itusedtobeyoucouldgoanydistanceinyour neighborhoodandyouknewyourneighborsbecause theyhadlivedthereyearsandyears,”Wrightsaid. Today,notsomuch.
But,ultimately,inMillsboro,shesaid,“Everyone’s welcome.”
eNanticokeshavealsobeenwelcometousea hugeplotoflocalwoodedlandfortheirpowwows. Yet,aftertheownerrecentlypassedaway,thegroup hadtobeginbrainstormingwhathappensnext.
“Atsomepointintime—andthat’sprobably yearsdowntheroad—Ithinkweneedtoprobably cometogethertoorganizesomething,buylandthat wecanownasatribe,sowecanhavedifferentfunctions,”Wrightsaid,thoughsheacknowledgeditmay bedifficulttofind20to25availableacres,preferably withwoodlands.
“Wehavebeenassuredwecanhaveittherefor thenexttwoyears.…[Butthischallenge]hasalways beenoutthere,lurkingonourhorizon,”shenoted. LiketheNanticokes,allofMillsboromust navigatethechallengesofspaceandpopulationheadingintothefuture.Withall thepotentialanddeterminationto moveforward,Millsborocould continuetoflourishinthefuture justasitdidinthepast.
“Iwouldlovetogobackin time,evenjustforafewhours, because…thisplacewas amazing,”saidJessicaWiggins. “Ifitwasawesomethen,ifdefinitelycanbeagain,withthe rightresourcestomakeitamazing.”
StorybyLauraWalter
Ifshewasalocalbusinessperson,Wrightsaid,she wouldappreciatetheincreased clientele,butasthousands offormervacationers movetoSussex,there ismorecongestionon roadsandincommunities,sheacknowledged.Herhusbandisafarmer,sohe seestheintensetrafficbuild-upswhenmovinghis farmequipmenttodifferentproperties.Non-natives alsoshowfrustration,unaccustomedto“Sussex Countytrafficjams.”
Millsboro looksto afuture ofgrowth
ThefutureofMillsboroisintheeyeofthebeholder.Justlikebeauty,italldependsonwho youask.
Askanyretireeoryoungfamilywhomovedinto townfromNewJerseyorNewYork,andtheymightsay thefutureisbright—filledwithnestlingintotheirquiet houseonthebayinatownwithlowtaxesandlittlecrime. OraskafamilywhoimmigratedfromSouthAmerica, andtheymightsaythisisthelandofopportunity.Aska familywhohasbeenintheareaforgenerations,andthey mightsayitisconstantlychanging,developingatrocketspeed,andthatMillsboroisnotthequietcountrymill towninoncewas.
Andtheywouldallberight.
AsfarasthetownofMillsborogoes,itcouldbesaid thatthefutureisnow.Andifthefuturecouldbesummed upinoneword,itwouldbe“growth.”
LongNeckwasthefastestgrowingmunicipality,at 55percentgrowthfrom2000to2010,accordingtoCensusdatacitedintheSussexCountyEconomicDevelopmentOffice’sMay2013newsletteroncommunitydata. LongNeckwassosparselypopulatedbeforethenthat residentswerenotevencountedinthe1990census,but by2000,therewere886residentsand,by2010,there were1,980.
Millsboroasawholehada39percentpopulationincreasefrom2000to2010andgrewfrom2,360residents to3,877.SussexCounty’spopulationrose25.9percentin thesametimeperiod.
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Inadditiontotheresidentialdevelopmentthatis happeningintown,manypeoplelivinginandaround Millsborocontinuetoseecommercialdevelopmentasit changesbeforetheirveryeyeseachday.Drivingupand downRoute113offersadailychanginglandscapefor travelers,withthecontinuationofbuildingatPeninsula Crossingandthefillinginofnewtenants.
InadditiontoLowe’sandB.J.’s,McDonald’s,banks, andothereateriesandretailstores,PeninsulaRegional MedicalCenterhasbegunconstructionontheirDelmarvaHealthPavilion,andeverydaythelandscape changesastheshinglesgoupandtheroofgoeson.
“WearereallyexcitedabouthavingPRMC.It’sabig plus,”saidMillsboroMayorRobertBryan.“WegetrequestsforinformationthroughtheChamber,forinformationpackets,andeveryone—especiallyretireesmoving here—isconcernedabouthealthcare.”
eDelmarvaHealthPavilionwillhouseanumber ofspecialtyofficesinbothclinicalanddiagnosticfields,ex-
InadditiontoLowe’s andB.J.’s,McDonald’s, banks,andother eateriesandretail stores,Peninsula RegionalMedical Centerhasbegun constructionontheir DelmarvaHealth Pavilion,andeveryday thelandscapechanges astheshinglesgoup andtheroofgoeson.
plainedChrisHall,vicepresidentforstrategyandbusiness developmentatPRMC.HesaidtheyhavesecuredDr. NancySquiresasatenantandareactivelyrecruitingother primarycareandspecialtydoctors.Healsosaiditwaspossiblethatthepavilion,withspacesfrom1,500to6,000 squarefeet,couldhouseacommunitypharmacy,aswell.
“Anumberofspecialtypracticeshavealsoexpressed interest,”explainedRogerFolleboutJr.ofPRMCcommunityrelations.
“ereisalotofflexibility.Wehavealotofample spacetoaccommodatealotoffolks,”hesaid,notingthey havehadapresenceinthewesternpartofSussex,inLaurel,andalsoabouttwomilessouthofMillsboro,inDagsboro,forabout20years,andtheyarelookingforwardto becentrallylocatedinMillsboro.eDelmarvaHealth PavilioninMillsborowillreplacetheirofficesinDagsboro.
efacilityhaditsgroundbreakinginOctober2012 andhasananticipatedcompletiondateofsometimethis fall.ebuildinghouses48,000squarefeettotal.
Hallsaidtheydidamarketstudyinwhichtheytook afractionofthe100,000orsopeoplethatarewithina20-
Honoring our Past...
Dad’s passing last November was a big shock to us and the entire community. He will be remembered for his stories and jokes, and his kindness to everyone.
Embracing our Future...
As the next generation takes over the reins, you will see changes –new lines, new styles and new colors. But the one thing that will not change is our continued commitment to personalized service and our great Payless prices.
Thank you for your support over the years, and your continued support in the future.
Audrey Harkins
“Rich” Holt 1938-2012
minutedrivetoMillsboroandfoundthattherewouldbea substantialnumberofpeopleinthecomingyearstosupportthepracticegoingforward.And,ofthosepeople, aboutaquarterareseniors,Hallsaid.
“ereare23to26percentseniorsinthat20-minute drivethatusehealthcareatthreetimestherateanormal adultdoes,”explainedHall.Healsosaidthat,withsupply anddemand,theareainandaroundMillsboromakesthe populationunder-servedintermsofphysicians,soMillsboroseemedlikeaperfectfit.Hequotedompson, Reuters&ClaritasinsayingthatMillsboro’sownpopulationshouldgrowby8.2percentoverthenextfiveyears.
“eneedforawiderangeofhealthcareservicesand chronicdiseasemanagementisexpectedtosignificantly increaseinthenexthalf-decadeinSussexCounty,andwe arehonoredtopartnerwiththelocalcommunitytoprovidethoseservicesnowandintothefuture,”addedDr. PeggyNaleppa,presidentandCEOofPRMC.
HallandFolleboutestimatedthatabout75to100 jobswillcomefromthecompletionofthepavilionandits tenants.
“WearereallyexcitedaboutcomingtoMillsboro,” saidFollebout.“Bybringingcomprehensivemedicalcare throughprimaryandspecialtypractices,iteliminates travel,bringsthePRMCbrandtoMillsboroandestablishesarelationshipthroughthesephysicians.
“Wearetheoldest,mostexperiencedteamwithopen heart,neurosurgery,jointreplacement,deliveringbabies. Wedoitmorethananyoneelse.ebestpossibleoutcomesareachievedhere.”
Whenyouhavejobs, youhaveresidents, andthenhousing valuesgoup. Andthemore corporatejobsweget, themoremanagement positionswecan getin.Itbroadens thespectrumfor thenextgeneration.
HallsaidtheirmoveintoMillsboronotonlybuilds relationshipswithpotentialhospitalpatients,butalsoputs themedicalcentermoreintothecommunityandmakesit moreadaptivetothetrendofwherehealthcareisgoing.
“Ashealthcarecontinuestoevolve,wewanttoprovidecarewherethecommunitylives,notjustsitbackand waituntiltheyneedtocometothehospital,”saidHall.“We aremovingtowardmorehealthandwellnessactivities, moreaccesstoprimarycare.”
Inaddition,constructionhasstartedonaPetSmart, andBurgerKingandChick-fil-Ahavealreadypulledpermits,accordingtoMillsboroTownManagerFayeLingo. It’sjustamatteroftimebeforethetimeisrightforthemto buildatPeninsulaCrossing.
Lingosaidshewaspleasedwiththebuildoutof PeninsulaCrossingandthebuildingoftheDelmarva HealthPavilion.ShesaidMillsborohasalwaysbeenfortunatetohaveadiverseindustryforjobs,withFirstOmni (previouslyknownasAllFirstandcurrentlyknownas M&TBank)employingpeople,aswellasIntervetasa majoremployerandtheagriculturalindustrykeepingpeopleafloat.
Lingosaidshehopesthecommercialdevelopment willbringevenmoreopportunityformanagementpositionsandhealthcarepositions.Shealsoexpressedhope thattheannouncementofAllenHarim’snegotiationsto expanditsinvestmentintheU.S.throughacquiringthe formerPinnacle(Vlasic)processingplantjustoutside Millsborowillcometofruition.
“Whenyouhavejobs,youhaveresidents,andthen housingvaluesgoup...”saidLingo.“Andthemorecorporatejobsweget,themoremanagementpositionswecan
SUMMER 2013
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continuedfrompage26
getin.Itbroadensthespectrumforthenextgeneration.”
StateRep.JohnAtkins(D-41st)saiditisimportant forthenaysayerswholookatthefacilityas“justanother chickenprocessingplant”torealizethatthereisamajor trickledowneffectfromacompanysettingupshopnear town.
“Mostpeopleareveryhappy,butthereisalwaysthe1 percentthatwillsay,‘Well,it’sjustanotherpoultryprocessingplant.’Butpeoplehavetorealizethatmeansjobsforadministration,supervisors,forkliftdrivers,wastewater operators,transportationspecialists—thesearejobsthat requiredegrees,”heemphasized.
Whileithasbeenreportedthattheremodeledfacilitycouldemploy700peopleyear-round,withanestimated$100millioninvestmentandbeopenby November2014,companyspokespersonDouglasR. FreemansaidinlateAprilthattheyarestillinnegotiations, soitwouldbeprematuretoputoutanumberonjobsjust yet.
But,thetownishopeful.
“ItwouldbeaGod-send,”saidByran.“Whileitisnot intownlimits,itwouldmajorlyaffectthepeoplelivingin andaroundtown.”
Asfarasgrowthineducation,theIndianRiver SchoolDistrictwillbeimplementingall-daykindergarten inalloftheirelementaryschoolsthisfall,including EastMillsboroElementaryandLongNeck Elementary.
IRSDspokespersonDaveMaull saidtheywilladdeightadditionalclassroomsover
I’mveryinterested inseeinghow localagriculture adaptstothefuture. Ipersonallythink theDelmarva Peninsulaowesa lotofitseconomic successto itsproximityto majormarketslike, NewYork,Washington, Philadelphia, andBaltimore.
—RichardCarter
thenextcoupleofyearsatEastMillsboroandeightadditionalclassroomsatLongNeckElementary.Hesaid growthandtheimplementationofall-daykindergarten aredrivingforcesforthatwork.
EastMillsboroElementarywilljoinJohnM.ClaytonElementaryinFrankfordinofferingaSpanish-immersionclassfortheirincomingkindergarteners,inwhich studentsaretaughthalfthedayinEnglishandhalfthe dayinSpanish.atprogramissettopreparestudents foradvanced-levelSpanishoncetheygettomiddleschool andbeyond.
Andthetownhallitselfhasliterallygrownwithits recentexpansion.eyplantofinishafewmoreoffices andtocompleteamuseum—utilizingaroomintherenovatedtownhall—toshowofftherichanddiversehistoryofthetown.
Asfarasphysicalgrowthgoesforthetownitself, Bryansaidtheyhavebeenopentoannexationandhave approvedannexationofallpropertieswhoseowners wantedthemtobeannexedintoMillsboro.Hesaidthat, whiletherearenoimmediateplansforannexationinthe future,thetownisstillpoisedforgrowth.
Constructionis underwayat PeninsulaRegional MedicalCenter’s 48,000sq.ft., DelmarvaHealth Pavilionat PeninsulaCrossing inMillsboro.
Photoby R.ChrisClark
Lingoaddedthattheforesightofpastcouncils,who obtainedwaterandsewerinthe1960s,hasallowedthem tobereadyfortheinevitablegrowth.
Still,thereareuncertaintiesinhowandwherethat growthmightbe.
AbigunknownisDelPointe,aproposedcasinoand racetrackprojectthathadbeenputforthintherecent years.Asaproject,itiscurrentlyinlimbo,waitingtoseeif anotherDelawareGeneralAssemblywillbreathenewlife intoitwithapprovaltoexpandexistinggamblingandracingoperations.
eroughly350-acreparcelisnorthoftown.Developerssaidtheywoulddevelopabout125acresintoaonemileharnessracetrackwithgrandstandandpaddock,a casinowithhotelandconventioncenter,afamilyresort hotelwithindoorwaterparkandanindoorsports
complex.
Alsopartoftheproposalareamovietheater,five restaurants,amixed-uselifestylecenterwithmorethan 180,000squarefeetofretailand50,000squarefeetofofficespace,apowercenterwithmorethan600,000square feetofdestinationretail,andoutparcelsfrontingRoute 113withnationalbrandsofrestaurantandconvenience tenants.
epropertysitsnearSussexCentralHighSchool, offofRoute113.Bryanexplainedthatthetowncouncil hadagreedtoannexitandithasbeenzonedfairly“liberally,”accordingtodeveloperGeneLankford.
Lankfordexplainedthattheycontinuetohaveanoptiontopurchasetheproperty,currentlyownedbythe Townsendfamily,untilJune30of2013,buthesaidhe wasstillwaitingtohearwhatstatelegislatorsdecideabout allowinganothercasinoinSussexCountytomoveforward.
“Ifthecasinodoesn’tgothere,itshouldbeviablefor otheruses,”saidLankfordoftheparcel’szoning.Heemphasizedthatthecasino,whichwasastickingpointwith legislatorsin2011,wouldhavetobepartoftheprojectto
casinoproposalarea movietheater, fiverestaurants, amixed-uselifestyle centerwithmorethan 180,000squarefeet ofretailand50,000 squarefeetof officespace, apowercenter withmorethan600,000 squarefeetof destinationretail, andoutparcelsfronting Route113with nationalbrandsof restaurantsand conveniencetenants.
maketheprojectaviableone.Hesaidlocallegislatorshave insistedthatSussexCountiansdon’twantit,but,hesaid, “Wedon’tbelievethat.Wethinkthemajoritydowantit, andtheyneedjobs.”
Hesaiditwouldbea“hugeeconomicboontoSussex County”andestimatedthat$60millionperyearwould gointothestate’sgeneralfundasaresultofthefacility.
“Byauthorizingthis,theStatehasnorisk.eycan raisemoneyandnothavetoraisetaxes.Wearehopeful thatthelegislaturewillbegintounderstandthatthecasino businesshastobecompetitive.eyhavetakenthepositionthattheywanttoprotectthecurrentcasinos,which, inouropinion,isthewrongstrategy,”saidLankford.
LankfordsaidtheStateofDelawarewouldreceive approximately$60millionperyear,andtheTownof Millsborowouldreceiveabout$2millionperyear,plus morethan$15millioninimpactfees.Heestimatedthat SussexCountywouldreceive$150,000andtheIndian RiverSchoolDistrictwouldreceive$900,000.Heputthe numberofjobsat6,000construction-relatedjobsand
4,009permanentjobs.
AtkinssaidhesupportedtheprojectinthelastGeneralAssembly,forthejobs,recreationandshopping,but “hasn’theardanythingmentionedaboutitfortwoyears.” Headdedthatthereisalwaysachancetobringitbackfor discussion.
So,sleepylittleMillsboro,atownthatisvisiblygrowingontheRoute113corridor,couldinthefuturebehome toacasino,aracetrackandaconventioncenter.Or,that samepieceoflandcouldremainalargefarmfield,orpossiblybesomethingelseentirely.Onlytimewilltell.
Anotherbigunknownforthetownistheirportion oftheRoute113North/Southtransportationstudyand howitwouldaffectthepeoplethere.Whilea“bypass aroundMillsboro”wasmentionedbyseveralofthetown’s players,whatexactlydoesthatmeanforthetown?
ebypassproject—undertheumbrellaofsomethingknownastheRoute113North/SouthStudy—
So,sleepylittle Millsboro,atownthat isvisiblygrowingon theRoute113corridor, couldinthefuturebe hometoacasino, aracetrackand aconventioncenter. Or,thatsamepieceof landcouldremaina largefarmfield, orpossiblysomething elseentirely. Onlytimewilltell.
beganwithafeasibilitystudyin1999,preparedbyDelDOTinassociationwithSussexCounty,asananswerto now-retiredstateSen.GeorgeH.BuntingJr.’sSenateResolution20,whichcalledonDelDOTtodeterminethe feasibilityofanewnorth-southlimited-accesshighwayin SussexCounty.
Overtheyears,DelDOThasheldpublicmeetings foreachoftheproposedportionsoftheproject(Milford, Ellendale,GeorgetownandMillsboro-South).Butthe publicwasdivided,largelyalonggeographicallines,asto whichofseveralplanswasthebest,orwhetheranybypass wasneededatall.Eventually,allworkceasedontheMilfordportionbecauseofalackofconsensusbylawmakers.
Inearly2011,Gov.JackMarkellsuspendedtheproject—whichrunsinthreesectionsfromEllendaletothe Marylandline—initsentirety,afterheavymediacoverage ofconcernsabouttheprojectandquestionsaboutsome oftheproject’sland“reservationagreements”andDelDOT’sauthoritytoenterintosuchagreements.ose questionsledtoahighlycriticalreportbyMarkell’schief ofstaffandthesubsequentresignationsandfiringsof someDelDOTofficials.
Alsoinresponsetothemediainquiriesandconstituentoutrageoverthereservationdeals,in2011SussexCountylegislatorsbegantovocallyopposegoing forwardwiththeBluealternativefortheMillsboroSouthportionoftheproject.
eBluealternative—whichisthelongesteastern bypassoptionandhasthehighestpricetag,atanestimated$687millionto$839millionforconstructionand right-of-waypurchases—wasidentifiedbyDelDOTofficialsinMayof2007,andagaininMayof2010,asthe “preliminary”recommendedpreferredalternativeforthe Millsboro-Southportionoftheproject.
eBlueAlternativeoftheMillsboro-SouthportionoftheU.S.113North/SouthStudybeginsnorthof theRoute113andHardscrabbleRoadintersection.e alternativeintersectsBarksPondRoadandtravelssoutheastalmostparalleltoRoute24,goingoverGravelHill Road,HollyvilleRoad,MarylandCampRoadandSwan Creek,andthroughtheproposedFerryCovedevelopmentjusteastofMountaire’sMillsborofacility.
ItthencontinuessouthovertheIndianRiver,almost paralleltoPowerPlantRoad,butthenstayseastand
Alsoinresponseto themediainquiries andconstituent outrageoverthe reservationdeals, in2011SussexCounty legislatorsbeganto vocallyopposegoing forwardwiththeBlue alternativeforthe Millsboro-South portionoftheproject.
crossesPineyNeckRoadinDagsboro,crossingPepper CreekandVinesCreekRoad(Route26).AtRoute26, therewouldbeon-andoff-rampstogoeitherinthedirectionofDagsboroortothebeaches.
erewouldalsobeon-andoff-rampstogeton Route20,orArmoryRoad,orpeoplewhowanttotravel throughwouldsimplycontinueonthebypasstoward Selbyville.ebypasswillcontinueeastoftheformer FrankfordElementarySchool(nowknownasthe GeorgeW.CarverEducationalCenter,whichhouses severalothereducationalprograms,butstilllocatedon FrankfordSchoolRoad).ItwouldrunparalleltoLazy LagoonRoadandthenconnectbackintothe“on-alignment”sectionofRoute113,nearParkerRoad.
AfterlegislatorsmetwithnewDelDOTSecretary ShailenP.Bhattinthesummerof2011,theysaidthey hadgooddiscussionsaboutwhatwasneededandthe projectwas“backontrack.”
ecoverageofthelanddeals,theshakeupatthe stateagency,theplansfortheprojectingeneralanditspo-
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tentialeffectonsoutheasternSussexCountyforcedthe legislators—someofwhomhadbeeninvolvedinthe projectsincethenotionofmajorchangestoRoute113 hadfirstbeengenerated,andsomeofwhomwerenewto theproject—toconsiderwhatisactuallyneeded.
Besidestheobviousobjectionstotaxpayermoney beingspenttorentlandthatmightormightnotbeused foralong-rangeproject—inthecaseoftheGeorgetown section,DelDOTpaidout$402,632.15tothedevelopersofeFountainsofGeorgetownalone,beforeitwas determinedthatthatparticularlandwouldnotbe needed—legislatorsoverwhelminglyobjectedtoany newroutesouthofRoute24.
Allagreedthatsomesortofimprovementwas neededtoaddresscurrentandfuturecongestioninMillsboro,butnonewereopenlysupportinganythingsouthof Route24.Manywerefor“on-alignment”changes,which wouldmeanimprovingtheexistingRoute113,butthey
ismapprovided byDelDOTshows howtheproposed Millsboro-South Bypasscouldaffect theMillsboroarea. ewhitelineis thecurrentRoute 113andtheblue lineisthepreferred route,the“Blue Alternative,” startingaroundthe Route113and Hardscrabble Intersection towardthebottom leftofthemap.
werenotassupportiveofdisruptinggenerationalfarms forthesakeofa“bypasstonowhere,”asonelegislator calledit.
mentsonRoute113.
tionsonRoute113thatwerepointsofconcernfromlegislators.IntheMillsboroarea,theyincludeintersections atRoute20/ompsonvilleRoad,atSheepPen Road/BarkPondRoad,atCricketStreet/MollyField Road,atRadishRoad/2ndStreet,atHickoryHill Road/DelawareAvenueandatDagsboroRoad(Route 20)/HandyRoad.
AccordingtoDelDOT’sWebsite,theproposedintersectionimprovementsmayinclude(butarenotlimited to)“medianchannelizationand/ormedianclosurestorestrictcertainmovementstoaddresssafetyandoperationalconcernsateachintersection.esafetyprojects willminimizeconflictsattheintersectionwhileaccommodatingtheheaviestturningmovementsanddiverting
trafficvolumestonearbyintersections.”
Regardingthebypass,inlateApril,MonroeHiteof DelDOT,formerprojectmanagerfortheRoute113 North/SouthStudy,saidtheagencyisfinalizingtheenvironmentaldocumentandthatitshouldbeavailablefor publiccommentlaterthisyear.
Hesaidthat,withthefalloutfromthescrutinyin late2010,theyare“backwherewestarted.”Allfivealternativesthatwereoriginallyconsidered—includingtwo easternalternatives,threewesternalternativesandone on-alignmentalternative—willbepresented.eBlue Alternativeisstillthe“preferredroute,”hesaid,andno matterwhattheydecide,itwillbeatleastadecadeor morebeforeanythingisconstructed.
estudywasdesignedtobeabletobeimplementedinsections,anddependingonhowitallpansout, Millsborocouldhaveabypassindependentofotherportionsoftheproject.
Whateverhappenswiththebypass,orDelPointe, oranyotherbigfuturechangetothelandscapethatis Millsboro,thereisundeniablegrowthontheRoute113 corridorandexplodinggrowthonRoute24.e makeupofthetownanditspeoplecontinuestobediverseand,withnewcommercialventures,itseemslike jobsmaybeplentifulintheareainthefuture.
But,withallthatgrowth,townofficialshopeitremainsaplacepeoplenotonlywanttovisitbutwherethey wanttolive—andnotbecauseofthenewconstruction orthecommercialization,butbecausetheyfeelathome whentheygetthere.
“WehavethenewMillsboroBakerydowntown,” notedLingo.“Andthatisthekindofbusinessyouwantin thedowntownarea.Whilewewaitedalongtimeforanotherbig-blockbuildingnearB.J.sandarehopefulfor otherbigstores,youalsowantthesmall-towncharmof thedowntownstores.Andyouwanttomakepeoplefeel welcome,becausethetownisthepeoplewholivethere andhowwelcometheyfeelwhentheycome,notthe buildings.”
StorybyMonicaScott
