Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-04-24
For the Detdudre Republican
THE RIVER ROAD.

For the Deta,core Republican.
THE RIVER. ROAD.
On the evening of the 9th Of April large
and earnest meeting OF the farmers, proprietors
and others, was held at the room OF the "far-
mers Club Of Brandywine,' near Claymont. 70
consider the making OF good road from VIII
mington to Claymont or the Pennsylvania state
line. In the discussion that took place II was
said-that, taking for granted the necessity for
new River Road between the two places nam
ed and thst Ii is already determined that good
road shall be constructed, our next move Is to
select ioute, and arrange plans by which the
greatest combination Of advantage may be Sc
cured at the least cost The original PROPOSE
tion is to construct tuide, lepel ornamental,
Mdcdddmized Avenue ono hundred feet in width
upon the river edge, where the fine road and
the beautiful landscape and river scenery will
attract travel and induce q desirable population
who are expected by their implements TO great
ly enhance the value ofthe land In the vicini-
ty.
The distance from Wilmington to Claymont
Is about seven miles, and the road will traverse
section noted for its heathfulness, Its natural
beauty and Its manifold convenience for reach
ing the centres OF trade and places of attraction
| throughout the country.
A turnpike road connecting Wilmington W it'll
Claymont now runs within an average distance
Of half mile from The river, and between turin
/ pike and river passes the p. W. Il u. r. II.
Sandwitched somewhere between these Is to be
the new road making four ace,a,les Of frdrel
within the limits of half mile in breadth.
| The opposition, If any, to the proposed new
road arises chiefly from the tarmtr and land
owners on the route, ON the ground of dlsar-
rangement of enclosures, expense of extra
fences, the danger of livestock straying, incon-
venience of crossing and of the increased taxes
for maklnga road so expensive as this must be
Reconstructed according to the original design.
A 'cide estimate Of cost Is all that can be
made at present, in which land damages will
not enter, as il is supposed the land will be
donated In consideration Of advantages to ac-
crue
The first essential is that the road shall tie
macadamized or paved. Otherwise it will be
in bad condition for seven months Of the year
and practically closed for the five winter and
spring months Of freezing and thawing. AS
summing also that the bridge over the Brandy
wine is already built, there will be four large
streams, mostly navigable for sloops at the places
of craping, ana some ten smaller streams to
bridge. There will be nearly one mile of cause
ways in different places, with bitches OH either
side, and some, though small amount of grad
ing.
The road bed will probably be macadamized
one half the width-or fifty feet, which If well
done, will require about 1880 perches of stone
to the mile, at q cost of not less than two dol
lars per perch. Add, for fencing, not less than
forty thousand dollars, and we have an aggre
gate that will be regarded by all thoughtful pee
pie as prohibitory Of the enterprise.
We now look about for plan by which VIC
may accomplish our purpose and obtain sat
isfactory road ut less cost. We find it in IN,
reconstruction fthe old turnpike which enter:
directly into the heart of Wilmington, which
occupies the line most desirable fol anvenue
which is already partly bridged, fenced ant
paved, and may be graded, widened aud mad
in all respects first class road at one sirM tn
| cost Of making the river road. 1t Is located
above the sources of the smaller streams; /
crosses the larger streams where they are con
tracted between high banks easy TO bridget
needs no causcways; ii is high, dry and airy am
commands fine outlook over the Delaware,
wide breadth of New Jersey and far up amongs
the hills Of Pennsylvania.
| This road will accommodate residents OF
both sides, whereas the "River Road" will b
one sided as TO its accommodations, besides lead
, / ing the traveller a distance OF nearly one mil
. farther than tue turnpike route from point /
point.
| Wilmington is interested in the construction
of q good road from the Pennsylvania Stat
Line, which will induce trade from this rich an
popuous district-the trade which has bee
, estranged on account of the difficulty and cos
a | of reaching the city, while the very cheap an
! easy means of reaching Philadelphia, tire
times the distance, has led trade and travel
a that direction.
> This road can be made with grade adapte
to horse Railroad, at a comparatively sina
| cost. The enterprise will be an economics
/ one to Wilmington, and will result in benet
4 to land owners in the appreciation Of Ian
I, | values, and WILL We doubt uot b, the meal
OF creating continuous villas and gardens aor
= the VIII h. ,tirtrh of the beautiful Delawal
Highlands.
The Iollowi preamble AMI resolutions we
n unanimously adopted
, | Whereas, AT meeting recently held in Wi
n mington to consiner a feasible route for broa
i level, paved road from Wilmington to Cha
Y mont, or the Pennsylvania state Line, it VI
stated that the farmers and propr eori along Il
'. route preferred TO locate that road on or ne
a the banks of the Delaware river. We, the ia
n mers, propretors, and others interested in u
r. road, residents Of the northern part of Brand
V n;,,aas ~, a, M .ni 81 !,