Blackbird Hundred
Encyclopedia
Blackbird Hundred is the name of an unincorporated subdivision of New Castle County
, Delaware
. Hundred
s were once used as a basis for representation in the Delaware General Assembly
, and while their names still appear on all real estate transactions, they presently have no meaningful use or purpose except as a geographical point of reference.
. Very small portions of the towns of Smyrna
and Clayton
, both primarily in Kent County
, are the only towns or named communities in Blackbird Hundred. It was formed from Appoquinimink Hundred
in 1875 and was named for Blackbird Creek that flows along its northern boundary.
, which forms its eastern boundary, the Smyrna River, formerly known as Duck Creek, which forms its southern boundary, and the North West Branch of the Smyrna River. It is entirely in the coastal plain region on the Delmarva Peninsula
.
), and the Thoroughfare Neck Road (Delaware Route 9
). A portion of the old Delaware Railroad, subsequently the Delmarva branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad
, now operated by Norfolk Southern, runs north-south through the hundred.
New Castle County, Delaware
New Castle County is the northernmost of the three counties of the U.S. state of Delaware. As of 2010 its population was 538,479, an increase of 7.6% over the previous decade. The county seat is Wilmington. The center of population of Delaware is located in New Castle County, in the town of...
, Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
. Hundred
Hundred (division)
A hundred is a geographic division formerly used in England, Wales, Denmark, South Australia, some parts of the United States, Germany , Sweden, Finland and Norway, which historically was used to divide a larger region into smaller administrative divisions...
s were once used as a basis for representation in the Delaware General Assembly
Delaware General Assembly
The Delaware General Assembly is the legislature of the U.S. state of Delaware. It is a bicameral legislature composed of the Delaware Senate with 21 Senators and the Delaware House of Representatives with 41 Representatives...
, and while their names still appear on all real estate transactions, they presently have no meaningful use or purpose except as a geographical point of reference.
Boundaries and Formation
Blackbird Hundred is that portion of New Castle County that lies south of Blackbird Creek and Cypress Creek, a tributary of the Chester RiverChester River
The Chester River is a major tributary of the Chesapeake Bay on the Delmarva Peninsula. It is about long, and its watershed encompasses , which includes of land. Thus the total watershed area is 20% water. It forms the border between Kent County and Queen Anne's County, Maryland, with its...
. Very small portions of the towns of Smyrna
Smyrna, Delaware
Smyrna is a town in Kent and New Castle counties in the U.S. state of Delaware. It is part of the Dover, Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area...
and Clayton
Clayton, Delaware
Clayton is a town in Kent and New Castle counties in the U.S. state of Delaware. Located almost entirely in Kent County, it is part of the Dover, Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2.918 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
, both primarily in Kent County
Kent County, Delaware
Kent County is a county located in the central part of the U.S. state of Delaware. It is coextensive with the Dover, Delaware, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010 the population was 162,310, a 28.1% increase over the previous decade. The county seat is Dover, the state capital...
, are the only towns or named communities in Blackbird Hundred. It was formed from Appoquinimink Hundred
Appoquinimink Hundred
Appoquinimink Hundred is the name of an unincorporated subdivision of New Castle County, Delaware. Hundreds were once used as a basis for representation in the Delaware General Assembly, and while their names still appear on all real estate transactions, they presently have no meaningful use or...
in 1875 and was named for Blackbird Creek that flows along its northern boundary.
Geography
Important geographical features, in addition to Blackbird Creek, include the Delaware RiverDelaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
, which forms its eastern boundary, the Smyrna River, formerly known as Duck Creek, which forms its southern boundary, and the North West Branch of the Smyrna River. It is entirely in the coastal plain region on the Delmarva Peninsula
Delmarva Peninsula
The Delmarva Peninsula is a large peninsula on the East Coast of the United States, occupied by most of Delaware and portions of Maryland and Virginia...
.
Transportation
Important roads include portions of the Beach Highway (Delaware Route 1), the DuPont Highway (U.S. Route 13U.S. Route 13
U.S. Route 13 is a north–south U.S. highway established in 1926 that runs for from Interstate 95 just north of Fayetteville, North Carolina to the northeastern suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Morrisville. In all, it traverses five states in the Atlantic coastal plain region,...
), and the Thoroughfare Neck Road (Delaware Route 9
Delaware Route 9
Delaware Route 9 is a state highway that connects with Delaware Route 1 at the Dover Air Force Base to Interstate 95 in the City of Wilmington. Much like their U.S...
). A portion of the old Delaware Railroad, subsequently the Delmarva branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
, now operated by Norfolk Southern, runs north-south through the hundred.