Union Park Gardens, Wilmington, Delaware
| Union Park Gardens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Wilmington, Delaware |
| Area | 58 Acres |
| Built | 1918 |
| Architect | John Nolen |
| Governing body | City of Wilmington |
Union Park Gardens is a neighborhood located between Union Street and Lancaster Avenue in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, United States, and designed by architect John Nolen during the First World War.[1] Union Park Gardens first served as housing for shipyard workers of the United States Shipping Board's Emergency Fleet Corporation.[2]
History
The Liberty Land Company and Lynch Construction Company built houses in Union Park Gardens for the United States Shipping Board during World War I. The term "Union Park" comes from the name of the amusement park once located on the site of the neighborhood. "The Gardens" name originates from the English Garden Suburb movement of the late 19th Century. "A curved parkway, open spaces, a variety of architectural styles and materials, and the garden-like setting were essential in creating the warm, inviting atmosphere which remains to this day."
On February 27, 1922, the Emergency Fleet Corporation "received $1,573,231 for Union Park Gardens, Wilmington, Del., which was sold recently by the Gerth's Realty Experts," according to an article in the New-York Tribune.[3] "The property sale consisted of all 503 houses, four stores, one store and apartment, one six-family apartment house, one brick building with one store and one apartment and two tracts of ground." The average house sold for $3,000 each.[4]
World War II
Seven Union Park Garden residents were killed in action during World War II while serving in the United States military. There is a small monument honoring them at the front of the neighborhood. The monument was dedicated during a service on April 19, 1953.[5]
- Seaman Charles L. Caulk, Jr., 2137 Linden Street, United States Navy, KIA 13 November 1942[6]
- Sgt. Paul L. Caulk, 2137 Linden Street, United States Marine Corps, KIA 21 July 1944[7]
- Capt. Warren W. Grier, Jr., 2118 Biddle Street, United States Army, KIA 2 May 1945[8]
- Tech. Sgt. Donald E. Layton, 2043 Linden Street, United States Army, KIA 30 September 1944[9]
- Staff Sgt. Willard M. Parker, 629 Harrington Street, United States Army Air Corps, KIA 23 July 1943[10]
- Maj. Clinton F. Schoolmaster, United States Army Air Corps, KIA 25 May 1944[11]
- Cpl. Joseph M. Vignola, 2119 Gilles Street, United States Army Air Corps, KIA 20 April 1944[12]
References
- ^ http://stateplanning.delaware.gov/delawarebydesign/unionpark.shtml
- ^ http://lalh.org/john-nolens-union-park-gardens-neighborliness-abounds/
- ^ New-York Tribute., March 12, 1922, Page 13, Image 35
- ^ Evening Public Ledger, Philadelphia, Feb. 27, 1922, Final, Page 24, Image 24.
- ^ The Sunday Star, April 12, 1953, Page 12.
- ^ Find A Grave memorial for Charles L. Caulk, Jr.
- ^ Find A Grave memorial for Paul L. Caulk
- ^ Find A Grave memorial for Warren W. Grier, Jr.
- ^ Find A Grave memorial for Donald E. Layton
- ^ World War II Memorial Volume created by the Delaware Public Archives Commission
- ^ World War II Memorial Volume created by the Delaware Public Archives Commission
- ^ World War II Memorial Volume created by the Delaware Public Archives Commission
External links
39°44′42″N 75°34′41″W / 39.745°N 75.578°W
- Library of American Landscape History, Union Park Gardens[permanent dead link]
- Delaware By Design, Union Park Gardens[permanent dead link]
