America’s 250th anniversary is rapidly approaching, and over those years the Spring Grove Mill House in Hockessin, DE, has nearly seen it all.

With unbelievable ties to major U.S. events spanning from the Revolutionary War to the first moon walk, the property has a unique place in American history. Were it not for the sleuthing skills of a former police investigator who happens to be the current owner, this home’s fascinating story might have remained buried.

“When my wife Florence and I purchased the Spring Grove Mill House in 2017, we had no idea of the home’s historic significance,” says David E. Deputy, a former captain with the Delaware State Police and a retired brigadier general with the Delaware Air National Guard.

The couple had hoped to retire in an old home constructed before electricity, indoor plumbing, cars, and phones. Though in need of serious renovation, this beautiful six bedroom, 4.5 bath, 4,000-square-foot home set on just over seven acres fit the bill.

However, it wasn’t until a year after their purchase when he was gifted a historical map from 1868 that included his new home—from which he learned the dwelling was actually constructed in the early 1800s and was formerly a mill—that Deputy’s curiosity was sparked and he found himself on a historical path of discovery.

“The investigative skills I practiced as a trooper proved to be valuable in conducting research into the history of Spring Grove,” says Deputy. “However, this time it was like solving a 250-year-old cold case.”

By digging through county deeds, tax records, old maps, archives, newspaper clippings, ancestry sites, talking to former residents, and even studying cannonballs found in the area, Deputy was able to uncover a fascinating line of American history that ran right through his Spring Grove home.

Deputy’s thorough research led to the publication of his new book, “The Spring Grove Mill House: The Home With the Most Ties to American History.” However, he is quick to emphasize the word “ties” in the subtitle since not all of the history linked to Spring Grove happened on site.

Nonetheless, as we stand on the cusp of the United States semiquincentennial celebration on July 4, the journey of this home is a perfect reflection on how many major events have transpired over this nation’s first 250 years.

The scene of a tide-turning Revolutionary War event

On Sept. 8, 1777, General George Washington and 11,000 members of the Continental Army were pursuing British forces that were headed north to seize Philadelphia following the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge in Delaware. At the same time, General George Weedon advanced his brigade to a hillside east of Mill Creek, DE, where a clash broke out that included British and American sharpshooters exchanging shots.

Known as “General George Weedon’s foray at Spring Grove,” the incident may have helped turn the tide of the Revolutionary War by serving as a distraction that allowed George Washington to pinpoint the exact location of British forces. He was then able to make strategic adjustments with his troops before the pivotal Battle of Brandywine that occurred three days later.

And that foray happened right on the property where the Spring Grove Mill House now sits.

“One day I found a Revolutionary War map online,” says Deputy. “There was a yellow flash on the map that covered the exact location of the Spring Grove Mill House—our current home—that showed combat happened here in 1777.”

Deputy’s discovery led him to even more about the interaction Weedon had with the redcoats on his property. What he learned was that without the distraction of Weedon’s foray, the British probably would have captured Philadelphia without resistance.

“Such an outcome would have caused embarrassment and caused hesitancy for the French to fully support Washington, which was a major factor in winning the war,” explains Deputy.

In 2023, the State of Delaware put a historical marker to commemorate the foray on the property of the Spring Grove Mill House, which Deputy helped to facilitate.

But this thread to the American Revolution was only the first of many historical connections for this property.

Cotton ties the mill to the War of 1812 and wool to the Civil War

Though the home had been advertised as having been built in 1880, through his research Deputy discovered it was actually constructed much earlier.

The first house was built on the Spring Grove site in the early 1700s in conjunction with a sawmill. In 1787 the milling operation expanded into two operational mills by adding a gristmill.  

“Our home, the Spring Grove Mill House, was built in 1813 while the War of 1812 was raging,” Deputy tells Realtor.com®. “The war caused the price of cotton to skyrocket because the British Navy blockaded U.S. ports and at that time the U.S. would ship raw cotton to Europe to be manufactured into cloth and sold back into the U.S.”   

As such, there were not enough cotton mill factories to keep up with the demand. To take advantage of this, banks were willing to fund the development of cotton mill factories knowing they would be profitable. That generous funding is what led to the construction of the Spring Grove Mill House, which became the centerpiece of a small village surrounded by the new cotton mill factory, five small stone homes for mill workers, and a barn.

Then a few years before the Civil War, the owner at that time converted the mill to a woolen factory. “This led to a contract with the Union Army to manufacture Kersey wool for blankets and outwear,” says Deputy.

The Civil War connections also extended beyond uniforms and supplies for the Army.

The driveway of the Spring Grove Mill House was once a road that followed along Mill Creek, which also formed a narrow passage in between the Spring Grove Mill House and the cotton mill factory. Deputy discovered that this was once a pathway for the Underground Railroad all the way through the mid-1800s.  

“The next mill less than a mile upstream from Spring Grove was a confirmed safe house,” adds Deputy.

Gambling led to a connection with JFK’s assassination

In 1891, there was a suspicious fire at the mill and after 140 years of milling operations, it was never used for those purposes again. However, the home’s history didn’t stop when the milling abated. It simply entered a new phase.

Most notably, the home was purchased by Donald Ross and Wilhelmina Du Pont after the stock market crash in 1929, along with 2,000 more adjoining acres. Thus began what’s known as the Du Pont Ross era of Spring Grove, which lasted for over five decades.

During that time, the Du Pont Ross clan managed to get the state of Delaware to change its constitution to allow gambling. That led to them building Delaware Park, a thoroughbred racetrack that welcomed 20,000 visitors daily throughout the 1900s.

They also raised and trained horses on their land through Brandywine Stables, with one of their horses, Greek Money, winning the Preakness Stakes by a scant nose in 1962.

One of their trainers, Joe Clancy, who lived on the Spring Grove property, had also served in the Marines with JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald in Japan in 1958. Incensed that Oswald would assassinate the president he loved, Clancy apparently left Delaware with a friend to head to Dallas with plans to take out Oswald himself.

“They got arrested in Tennessee buying guns and ended up in jail while Oswald was murdered,” says Deputy, but they and their families still tell the story today. However, it sounds like they literally dodged a bullet.

“At one point after discovering all this old history, I thought to myself, is this house going to be connected in some way with the Kennedy assassination and the Apollo moon landing,” says Deputy. Turns out, it was.

Wilhelmina du Pont Ross sold the Spring Grove Mill House property to the Winton Blount family in 1977.  

Winton was the CEO of his father’s construction company, Blount International. They specialized in high tech government projects and built launchpad 39A for the Apollo program.  

Apollo 11 launched from that launchpad in 1969—the space flight that put Neil Armstrong on the moon.

Continuing the story while saving the history

Now that the story continues with his family, Deputy says he feels a certain responsibility to preserve it for future generations.

With the painstaking renovations that he and his wife have undertaken (to the tune of $70,000), the home is now physically restored to its past glory. But perhaps just as exciting for Deputy is the history that he uncovered.

“An intentional byproduct of writing this book is to motivate and teach readers how to uncover the history of a home,” says Deputy.

Uncrowded towns on Florida’s Emerald Coast are hard to come by—unless you know where to look. With kids off from school, summertime brings the added challenge of even larger crowds. Nonetheless, you can still find underrated, less-frequented vacation spots in Florida that are worth considering. In Blue Mountain Beach, a quiet morning might look like paddling past lily pads on a coastal dune. The endless stretches of sand and pier views in Navarre Beach will inevitably make you want to slow down to take a daily breather. Overshadowed, yet no less striking, each of the towns in this article promises crowd-free summer fun.

Blue Mountain Beach

Blue Mountain Beach is a best-kept secret of Florida’s Scenic Highway 30A. Locals say the community got its name from sailors who mistook the flower-covered dunes for mountains. Today, these 65-foot sandy hills remain a stunning centerpiece of Blue Mountain Beach. Still, even in the summertime, a residential atmosphere keeps this towering beach town laid-back and uncrowded.

Blue Mountain Regional Beach Access features spectacular access to the Emerald Coast. Nearby, Red Fish Taco pairs authentic Mexican food with refreshing margaritas after your time in the sand. For more outdoor fun with even smaller crowds, the town also has 3 rare coastal dune lakes. Draper, Little Redfish, and Big Redfish Lake are all epic recreation spots for kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing.

Navarre Beach

Santa Rosa Island is home to Navarre Beach, “Florida’s Most Relaxing Place.” Much like Blue Mountain Beach, this Emerald Coast suburb is a dream for introverted beachgoers. With zoning laws in place to prevent overdevelopment, Navarre Beach is less commercialized and less crowded than other resort towns.

Summer vacationers can snorkel and dive the artificial reefs at Navarre Beach Marine Park. Back above water, the 1,500-foot Navarre Beach Fishing Pier is a sweet spot for ocean views and angling. Capping its entrance, Windjammers on the Pier is a family-friendly restaurant and bar serving delicious seafood and tropical cocktails. On either side of this sightseeing haven, sunseekers can also sink their toes into the town’s white sands.

Gulf Breeze

Gulf Breeze is an ideal town for zen vacationers and families. Since it is mainly a suburb and retirement haven, life here moves at a slower pace. Opposite Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach is a resort-style town and tourist magnet. By comparison, Gulf Breeze is the laid-back neighbor you visit if you want to relax.

Gulf Breeze beaches are not only less crowded, but naturally calmer. At the Naval Live Oaks Nature Preserve, the shores are shielded by Santa Rosa Island. This natural buffer accounts for the calm waters that families and novice swimmers love. The same applies to Deadman’s Island, a gorgeous place to kayak, snorkel, and sunbathe on Pensacola Bay. Afterward, the Gulf Breeze Zoo is a hit with all ages. Nearby, Florida seafood is a treat at Dave’s Oyster Bar and Grill.

Inlet Beach

Back on Florida’s Scenic Highway 30A, Inlet Beach is another underrated beach town. Since the community is mainly residential, many will drive straight through to Rosemary Beach, a busier town with resort amenities. But if you avoid judging a book by its cover, this suburban seaside has a ton to offer, including the area’s largest public beach access.

The public shores in Inlet Beach have 3 boardwalks and plenty of sand to go around. Offshore, snorkelers and divers can also explore a unique fish-shaped artificial reef rich with marine life. On the eastern shore of Inlet Beach, Camp Helen State Park has even more to offer. Home to Gulf beaches and Lake Powell, the park is a serene place to swim, sunbathe, and beachcomb.

Niceville

Niceville is a Choctawhatchee Bay town with striking waterfronts. With no beaches of its own, it is often eclipsed by nearby Destin; even so, this solitude is far from a flaw. The little bay town is one of the best places in the Sunshine State to experience Old Florida at its most authentic.

Its diverse shores anchor Niceville’s best sites. Turkey Creek Park is a peaceful place to cool off in the summer, whether swimming, canoeing, or walking the boardwalk. Elsewhere, the Rocky Bayou is a centerpiece of Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park. Boating and hiking are a few of the best pastimes here, crowned with breathtaking Panhandle sunsets. Alternatively, head to The Locals Eatery for Boggy Bayou sunsets and award-winning food.

Freeport

30 minutes east of Niceville, Freeport is another laid-back place to cool down in the summer. Bordering Choctawhatchee Bay, nature lovers prefer the town for its unspoiled outdoors and unfussy attractions. You won’t find high-rise resorts or rowdy boardwalks here, which is just how Freeport locals like it.

Harry A. Laird Park is a great first stop for a boardwalk stroll along Four Mile Creek. Elsewhere, Grady Brown Park hugs the northern edge of Choctawhatchee Bay. The wide, scenic green space features picnic tables, a kayak launch, fishing piers, and a bayside beach. Just north of there, hungry parkgoers can find authentic bites at Mi Alma Taqueria Food Truck.

Mexico Beach

Mexico Beach flies under the radar despite its postcard shores. Located along Florida’s Gulf Coast Scenic Drive, the town’s sugar sands and emerald waters embody the best of the Emerald Coast. To the surprise of many, Mexico Beach lacks the congestion of other towns on this route—but you won’t find beachgoers complaining.

Mexico Beach is home to nearly 5 miles of beachfront and plenty of public access points. The shores stand out for their stark white color, attributed to quartz-crystal sands from the Appalachian Mountains. There are also plenty of restaurants within walking distance of the waterfront. At Caribbean Coffee & Cafe, you can recharge with sandwiches and island-inspired brews. Further east, Killer Seafood serves fresh and flavorful favorites like shrimp po’ boys and tuna tacos.

Seagrove Beach

Coastal bliss extends to Seagrove Beach, another uncrowded stop on Highway 30A. Since this seaside suburb is mainly residential, it is less well known to vacationers. Even so, the public beaches and seafood restaurants in Seagrove Beach are well worth the stop.

As of 2026, the new Seagrove Regional Beach Access is open with a 100-foot public beachfront. Nearly 9 years in the making, this addition makes Seagrove Beach more accessible than ever. Once you’ve had your fill of fun in the sand, Seagrove’s commercial sites are another must. The Seagrove Village Market has thrived here since 1949, serving as both a seafood restaurant and a souvenir shop. Right next door, Surfing Deer is a more upscale seafood restaurant with patio dining.

Explore Florida’s Uncrowded Emerald Coast

Summer heightens tourist congestion on most of the Emerald Coast. But if your heart is set on this Panhandle stretch, these 8 uncrowded towns are the exception. In Blue Mountain Beach, Gulf-facing shores are sprawling and spacious, while the town’s coastal dune lakes are even less crowded. In Freeport, Choctawhatchee Bay views are never obstructed at Grady Brown Park. All in all, these 8 Emerald Coast towns prove obscurity has a silver lining.

The Georgia Bulldogs are trying to flip cornerback recruit Preston Glasco just over a week after he committed to the Connecticut Huskies.

Glasco, a member of the class of 2027, announced his commitment to UConn on June 10. Since committing to UCONN, Georgia has hosted Glasco on an official visit and offered him a scholarship (back on June 18).

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound cornerback has excellent length and size. Glasco has impressive athleticism and ran a 4.47-4.57 second 40-yard dash (hand timed) during a recent workout with the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Glasco plays high school football for Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia. He’s unranked as a recruit, but that’s bound to change soon. The unranked cornerback plays against a stout level of competition at Grayson, who is a Georgia high school powerhouse.