Editing Milton, Delaware (section)

== History ==

Located at the head of the [[Broadkill River]], which enters Delaware Bay, the Milton area was first settled in 1672 by English colonists and founded as "Head of Broadkiln" in 1763. It became important for shipbuilding. The town was known by renamed by the Delaware Legislature in 1807, in honor of the English poet [[John Milton]]. The Delaware General Assembly passed a charter on March 17, 1865, that recognized the Town of Milton as a municipality.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://milton.delaware.gov/2014/12/16/history-of-milton/|title=History of Milton - Town of Milton - Sussex County Delaware|date=December 16, 2014|accessdate=April 23, 2021}}</ref>

[[File:Milton Public Library.JPG|thumb|left|Sussex County Library in Milton]]
History and Milton's shipbuilding heritage remain very important to the town, which is home to some of the finest Victorian and Colonial architecture in Delaware. Many of the homes have been restored to their original form, particularly those on Union and Federal streets.

Milton has 198 contributing structures listed within its [[Historic district (United States)|Federal Register Historic District]]. Significant buildings and sites are the Lydia Black Cannon Museum, the Governor James Carey home, the Chestnut Street Cemetery, and the Governor [[David Hazzard]] Mansion. The [[Hazzard House]] and [[Gov. James Ponder House]] were listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1973. The [[Milton Historic District (Milton, Delaware)|Milton Historic District]] was added in 1982.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

Milton serves local residents and summer tourists in the Milton, Broadkill Beach and Primehook Beach areas with family-operated businesses and new office and shopping complexes. Several local businesses in the area are served by the [[Delmarva Central Railroad]], which operates a branch that extends to Milton from [[Ellendale, Delaware|Ellendale]]. Recreational opportunities abound with the [[Broadkill River]], Wagamon's Pond, Diamond Pond and Lavinia Pond. Public boat docks and fishing piers are also available. It is within an easy drive to the coastal resorts of Lewes and [[Rehoboth Beach, Delaware]].

A footpath known as the Governors Walk follows the Broadkill River in central Milton.  [[The Nature Conservancy]] established a preserve along the river downstream of Milton in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.destateparks.com/greenway/traillist/traillist3.htm |title=Greenways & Trails |author=State of Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Division of Parks and Recreation |access-date=February 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028030925/http://www.destateparks.com/greenway/traillist/traillist3.htm |archive-date=October 28, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  {{As of|2005}}, an annual canoe and kayak race was being held on the river in Milton.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.miltonde.com/milton/festivals.html |title= Milton Fairs and Festivals |access-date=February 4, 2007}}</ref> The river passes through and feeds [[Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge]] to the east before entering Delaware Bay.

Milton is the home of the [[Dogfish Head Brewery]], a well-known East Coast beer-maker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dogfish.com/community/faq.htm|title=Dogfish Head Brewery Frequently Asked Questions|access-date=December 30, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129173917/http://www.dogfish.com/community/faq.htm|archive-date=November 29, 2014}}</ref>