Route 9 Residential History

The Center for Historic Architecture and Design (CHAD) at the University of Delaware partnered with DelDOT to develop a historic context for residential subdivisions along the New Castle Avenue/Route 9 corridor, south of the City of Wilmington. The multi-phased project was designed to help understand the history related to settlement patterns in the area, specifically race-related settlement patterns and environmental justice concerns. CHAD researched each neighborhood in the study area, producing a background history and architectural analysis for each, collected oral history interviews, and provided a national and local context for post-World War II suburbanization, specifically related to inequitable housing policies and options for Black Americans. Five pre-war neighborhoods (Eden Park Gardens, Hamilton Park, Holloway Terrace, and Buttonwood, as well as Route 9 adjacent Minquadale) were also researched and discussed within the context of this study.

For more information about the study results, see the new Suburbs & Race: Post-WWII Neighborhoods of New Castle Avenue StoryMap online here: https://arcg.is/CbTyP 

To view a booklet of the study follow this link: https://wilmapco.sharefile.com/public/share/web-s039a2a353efd4837a763b397aefedaa8

To review the full report: https://wilmapco.sharefile.com/public/share/web-sf232b28979a74a909b8569b92b53217d

Please share your thoughts about this report by emailing Kelly Valencik, Planner, DelDOT at kelly.valencik@delaware.gov