Preserving The Past | Creating Memories
Well, I guess it’s not quite as bad as all that. No one has actually taken our southern border. And that boundary is not really part of the original Mason-Dixon Line, anyway.
The Mason-Dixon Line defined the southern boundary of Pennsylvania with West Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware, and the western boundary of Delaware with Maryland. The actual survey line between Maryland and Delaware has also been referred to as the North-South Boundary.
You may be surprised to know that traffic through Millsboro, as slow as it may seem at times, is not as congested as it was around 1833.
Early in 2007, when a new roof was being planned for Carey’s Frame Shop, it became necessary to remove all of the items from the third floor to prevent damage. The second floor had been transformed years before by dad with custom storage racks for picture frame molding, so room had to be found off-premises for everything.
In preparation for the move, my older daughter and I spent the better part of a couple of days sorting through years of dust, debris, and an assortment of period drug store-related items. But mostly it was bottles. Bottles, bottles and more bottles.
The Doe Bridge Association had its humble beginnings about seven-years ago when I developed the urge to learn more about the area surrounding Doe Bridge. A visit to the State Archives turned up a colonial-period map that showed a road running southwest from Lewes and crossing a large stream north of Millsboro.
I acquired a large copy of an aerial photo from a government agency and immediately saw the remnants of a road, evident even through the canopy of trees. Then, I stumbled upon a copy of a 1795 map that also showed a road running across the area of the old mill and bridge.
I did say Doe Bridge, right? Why this should have been such an awakening, I’ll never know, for where there’s a bridge, there must be a road.
I also recalled hearing about a settlement possibly being located in that same area, before Millsboro was a town. Now I was intrigued and the subject created within me a desire to know more about the area that did not lessen with time.