Henlopen Acres replaces old millstone after accident

Millstones at the entrances along Henlopen Avenue, Ocean Drive and the town’s marina are some of Henlopen Acres’ signature stylistic elements. 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 city’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 eventually identified by state police and charged with various offenses, including reckless driving and hit-and-run, she said.

“I spoke to him afterwards and he regretted the hit,” Reich said.

Reich said she believes the millstone is 100 years old and was installed by Col. Wilbur Corkran when he began developing the community. The town is getting a new granite millstone, but the history of the original will not be replaced, she said.

The top half of the remaining millstone will be placed in front of City Hall when the new one is installed later this summer, Reich said.