Last updated: December 22, 2023
Place
Milton Historic District
Photograph courtesy of the Delaware State Historic Preservation Office
Quick Facts
Location:
Roughly along DE 5, Milton, Delaware
Significance:
Architecture
Designation:
Listed in the National Register - Reference number 100007919
MANAGED BY:
The Milton Historic District in Milton, Delaware was first listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, with a boundary increase in 2022. While the historic district was listed for local significance, Milton is also of interest nationally as the “Holly Capital of the World”, when the area was the world's top producer of Christmas and holiday holly wreaths and decorations.
Milton’s earliest local economy was based on agriculture and the lumber industry. Using the lumber from the surrounding area, Milton became a center of the local shipbuilding industry. While shipbuilding in the area declined in the late-nineteenth century, other industries, such as canning, button-making, and garment-making, eventually began to take its place.
One of the most successful emerging industries in Milton was the holly industry, which took advantage of the abundant American holly that was native to the area. For over sixty years, Milton was the largest producer in the world of Christmas and holly holiday decorations, and was nicknamed "The Land of Holly." During the Great Depression in particular, the holly industry sustained the town and provided substantial work, which oftentimes involved entire families. One particularly productive family is noted to have created 1,000 wreaths in a week.
By the 1950s, however, the introduction of artificial wreaths and garland damaged the local industry. "Jones, the Holly Man," which was the town's major holly company, went out of business in 1961. Despite the decline of the holly industry, Milton still celebrates its town history with an annual Holly Festival.
Milton’s earliest local economy was based on agriculture and the lumber industry. Using the lumber from the surrounding area, Milton became a center of the local shipbuilding industry. While shipbuilding in the area declined in the late-nineteenth century, other industries, such as canning, button-making, and garment-making, eventually began to take its place.
One of the most successful emerging industries in Milton was the holly industry, which took advantage of the abundant American holly that was native to the area. For over sixty years, Milton was the largest producer in the world of Christmas and holly holiday decorations, and was nicknamed "The Land of Holly." During the Great Depression in particular, the holly industry sustained the town and provided substantial work, which oftentimes involved entire families. One particularly productive family is noted to have created 1,000 wreaths in a week.
By the 1950s, however, the introduction of artificial wreaths and garland damaged the local industry. "Jones, the Holly Man," which was the town's major holly company, went out of business in 1961. Despite the decline of the holly industry, Milton still celebrates its town history with an annual Holly Festival.