Arden, Delaware
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| Arden, Delaware | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Delaware |
| County | New Castle |
| Area | |
| - Total | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) |
| - Land | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) |
| - Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²) |
| Elevation | 256 ft (78 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 474 |
| - Density | 1,780.5/sq mi (687.4/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 19810 |
| Area code(s) | 302 |
| FIPS code | 10-01400 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0213569 |
Arden is a village in New Castle County, Delaware, in the United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the village is 484.[1]
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[edit] History
Arden was founded in 1900 by sculptor Frank Stephens and architect Will Price, followers of Henry George's Single tax, William Morris’s Arts and crafts principles, and many of Peter Kropotkin's principles of communal living. The Single Tax movement, popular in the U.S. and other countries from the 1890s until the 1930s, believed that the best way to raise government money was by a single tax on land only. The tax would be based on its assessment, whether the land was improved or not, thus recovering the value of natural resources and public-created value (like roads) for the public, and not impeding labor and capital from profiting from their efforts. William Morris, an Englishman, rebelled against modern cities and industry. He advocated a return to craft production, good design, and village life. While Kropotkin was primarily an anarchistic communist, many of his ideas regarding social and community living were used by the founders of Arden to advance William Morris' ideas for the return to village life.
By law, land in Arden cannot be sold, instead it has a renewable 99 year lease. People are free to improve it as they choose, but the land-lease fee will not increase because of improvements. Arden is not exempt from New Castle County land taxes, but the buildings within the village are taxed separately for county and school district revenue, while the land is technically one large parcel ,and taxed by New Castle County accordingly.The land is held is in a trust administered by three elected Trustees. The taxation structure is currently based upon the individual leaseholds.Most leaseholds are residential, and the land rent is based upon the square footage rather than the improvements upon the land. An elected board of assessors divides the County's full assessment of the residential areas of Arden by the individual lots. Lots that are nearer to open space (Greens)or woodlands are assessed a bit higher, while lots nearer main road are assessed a bit lower.
At first, Arden was a summer community. People lived the simple life in tents or rustic dwellings. By 1909, much of the land had been leased. There were 115 leaseholders and 50 houses, but only 50 year-round residents.
The founding of the Arden Club in 1908 provided an organizational core for community activity. Interest groups and task groups were called gilds [sic] rather than committees. From the beginning, Shakespeare’s plays were produced in the outdoor Field Theater. Fairs, pageants, and Arden holidays filled the calendar. Many of these events continue today through various community organizations including the Arden Recreation and Community Association (ACRA) and the Arden Club, as well as through some of the village committees for each of the three Ardens. The Georgist Gild continues to offer courses in Georgist economics to the Ardens and any other interested communities.
Shakespearean productions have almost always been a part of Arden life, both for entertainment, but, in the early days to promote better oratory skills, particularly amoungst the Georgists, the advocates for the Henry George Single Tax. A beautiful Field Theater was constructed eary on and is in continued use today. (see www.ardenclub.com)
It took longer to implement the Arts-and-Crafts ideal because the community was so small at first. Many people worked in Wilmington or Philadelphia. In 1913, the Craft Shop was built, which provided facilities for various artisans. Arden crafts, especially from the Arden Forge and Arden Weavers, became popular in the area.
The conceptual lifestyle of Arden proved so popular that it expanded twice, with Ardentown in 1922 and Ardencroft in 1950. Today, the Ardens remain as single-tax communities at the village municipal level. The spirit of Arden encourages all sorts of artistic and intellectual expression and a strong community life. Most of the village activities and Club activities are run by volunteers.
In addition to the founding fathers, some noteworthy Americans who have lived in the Ardens include Scott Nearing (writer, homesteader), Upton Sinclair (writer), Ella (ne: Reeve) Ware "Mother Bloor" (leader of early communist party in America, came to Arden in 1902), Harry Kemp (poet, later known as the Dunes Poet after moving to Provincetown, Massachusetts with Upton Sinclair's wife), Ross Sante (writer, illustrator), Marcus Aurelius Renzetti (artist, teacher), Bill Frank (writer, journalist), Richard Julian (musician), and Burgess Meredith (actor).
Arden, Delaware and its sister villages, Ardentown and Ardencroft, are in the National Historic Register (NHR)based, interestingly enough, on its Concept rather than on its location or historic buildings. Still, many of the original building, including old farm houses and converted barns (to Community buildings and/or Theaters), the Craftshop, the Weaveshop, and a number of fine Craftsman Houses designed and built by Will Price in the early 1900's are being well kept, though there is no requirement to do so.
[edit] Geography
Arden is located at (39.811512, -75.487822)[2].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.3 square miles (0.7 km²), all of it land.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 474 people, 229 households, and 122 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,780.5 people per square mile (677.8/km²). There were 243 housing units at an average density of 912.8/sq mi (347.5/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 95.15% White, 0.84% African American, 0.42% Native American, 1.69% Asian, and 1.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.32% of the population.
There were 229 households out of which 21.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.3% were non-families. 38.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.80.
In the village the population was spread out with 18.1% under the age of 18, 3.2% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 35.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $56,731, and the median income for a family was $70,893. Males had a median income of $48,125 versus $38,333 for females. The per capita income for the village was $30,422. None of the families and 2.1% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 2.0% of those over 64.
[edit] References
- ^ Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Delaware (CSV). 2005 Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (June 21, 2006). Retrieved on November 22, 2006.
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
- Arden, Delaware is at coordinates Coordinates:
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