Henlopen Acres to replace old millstone after accident

Millstones at town entrances along Henlopen Avenue, Ocean Drive and the town’s marina are some of the defining stylistic features in Henlopen Acres. A hit-and-run accident earlier this year damaged one of the millstones; it will soon be replaced.

Mayor Joni Reich said in February a young man broke one of the town’s historic millstones at the end of Pine Reach and Dune Way in half when he ran into it late at night. The young man was ultimately identified by the state police and charged with various offenses, including reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident, she said.

“I spoke to him afterwards and he was remorseful for hitting it,” said Reich.

Reich said she believes the millstone is 100 years old and was installed by Col. Wilbur Corkran when he started developing the community. The town is getting a new millstone made of granite, but there will be no replacing the history of the original, she said.

The top half of the remnant millstone will be placed in front of town hall when the new one gets installed later this summer, said Reich.