Have you ever traced the path of a river? Follow me as we explore Crum Creek a waterway with a rich history. Crum Creek meanders for 24 miles through Chester and Delaware Counties. It starts near Newtown Square in a swamp once a dammed lake. This area saw the rise of several mills in the 19th century. Crum Creek’s name itself is a legacy of the Dutch settlers who called it “crooked creek”.
Before European settlement the Lenni Lenape lived along Crum Creek. They revered the river as sacred Lenapewihitak the River of the Lenape. The Unami a subtribe of the Lenape lived near Crum Creek. They identified with the turtle a symbol of the earth itself. This connection to nature is reflected in the name Turtle Island for North America. Sadly much of their knowledge of the land was lost when they were forcibly moved to Oklahoma.
European settlers soon followed. The Swedish arrived first in 1643 establishing Pennsylvania’s first settlement. The Dutch arrived in 1655. By the 1680s the English were acquiring land. In 1682 William Penn claimed land and sold it to John Simcock. Simcock built a house along Little Crum Creek a tributary of Crum Creek. Farming became prominent throughout the 18th century.
Thomas Leiper left a significant mark on Crum Creek. He operated rock quarries in the late 18th century. He built a horse-drawn railway to transport stone. This is often cited as the first railway in the United States. His son George created a canal. The canal ran from Avondale to Leiperville near the confluence of Crum and Little Crum Creeks.
Numerous mills dotted Crum Creek’s banks. The remnants of a dam and a park named for Thomas Leiper are still visible. The dam once created Strath Haven Lake. The park once known as Leiper Pond sits on land once submerged by the dammed creek.
Ridley Park Lake another notable feature of Little Crum Creek was created in 1872. Isaac Hinckley a developer hired Robert Copeland to design the town of Ridley Park. The lake was part of this design. Early maps called it Crum Lynne Lake.
The Great Flood of 1843 dramatically impacted Crum Creek. Torrential rain caused catastrophic flooding. No lives were lost along the Crum. However considerable property was damaged. Horses were drowned. More recent floods around 1943 and 1989 caused significant damage to areas along Little Crum Creek.
Today Crum Creek faces environmental challenges. The lower watershed is designated an urban area. Water quality is impaired by runoff and development. Efforts are underway to restore wetlands and improve water quality. The Crum Woods a large woodland near Crum Creek is protected. Swarthmore College’s Scott Arboretum plays a key role in its preservation.
Crum Creek continues its flow toward the Delaware River. It travels under I-476 the Blue Route and under I-95. It passes by a shopping center and an office park. Finally it meets Little Crum Creek near the Boeing plant in Eddystone. Crum Creek’s journey is a testament to its resilience and the ongoing efforts to protect this important waterway. The creek continues to offer a glimpse into the past. It also serves as a reminder of our responsibilities for the future.