Notes from Concord: 1855: Markham Station, a Journey Through Time
Nestled in the heart of Concordville, Markham Station has witnessed the ebb and flow of history for well over a century. Its story begins in 1855, when the Philadelphia & Baltimore Central Railroad broke ground in Concord township, setting the stage for a new era of transportation and commerce. By 1859, the railroad line stretched from Wawa Station to Octorara Station, Maryland, connecting communities and fueling local industry.
Markham Station circa 1984
Markham Station, also known as our Visitor Center, is just one of the historic buildings located on site here at theNewlin Grist Mill park. Park visitors will notice that it is undergoing some changes. A chain link fence has been erected around the building, and it was recently lifted off its foundation. After 160 years, and too many floods to count, the station house is finally being raised out of the flood plain of Chester Creek. Although various dates have been postulated, we think the building, as it exists now, was built between 1857-1859. Site Archaeologist, Keith Doms, has noted that timbers in the roof of the station house are marked “Port Deposit, Maryland,” which might suggest that the station was constructed after the train line was completed.
In 1860, John Hill acquired the mill property and the station house, marking the start of a family legacy intertwined with the railroad. The station was first known as Woodland Station, referenced in an 1869 newspaper article about “Concord Mills,” as the grist mill was then called. Two other stations were later built in Concord, Felton Mills in 1870 and Concordville Station in 1886. Neither station exists today.
Postcard of Mill and Markham Station, circa 1900
A pivotal moment came in 1883, when Woodland Station was renamed Markham Station to avoid confusion with another station in Chester County. When a post office was established at Markham in 1892, the station quickly became a hub of activity. The station saw its share of drama—stories of theft, tragedy, and heroism filled local newspapers, from thieves looting the station in 1899 to a runaway freight train accident that same year. And always, it served to move freight to and from the mill. Throughout the early 20th century, Markham Station was more than just a stop on the railroad—it was a home for the postmasters and their families. Living in the station house, they served as telegraph operators and agents, often welcoming travelers and neighbors alike.
As Baltimore Pike transformed into a bustling highway, the mill business began to decline, and rail service gradually faded from the area. The death of mill owner William H. Hill in 1941 marked the end of an era; the business closed and was sold, leaving a noticeable void in the community. By 1943, the post office at Markham Station was discontinued, signaling a significant change for residents who had long relied on its services. By the time Mortimer Newlin bought the mill in 1956 and then the station house property in 1959, the station house had changed hands several times. When Rudy Fields was hired as the first Park Director, Rudy moved his family into the station house, enduring frozen pipes and raising chickens and ducks in the yard. The Fields’ home also welcomed the first visitors to the restored mill in 1959. Trains still ran a few times a week, carrying manure to mushroom farms in Concord. And from 1967-69, the Wawa & Concordville trainline ran weekend excursion trains and brought new life to the old tracks. The Fields’ horse Flicka became a local legend for stopping trains.
View of Markham Station, circa 1995
In 1971, a devastating flood destroyed the Cheyney Road bridge and flooded most of the park buildings. Railroad bridges on the old P&BRR line were also wiped out and never repaired, ending the rail line for good. By 1983, the last residents moved out of the station house, and it was converted into the full-time Visitor Center and park office. For years, the reception area, gift shop and staff offices were crowded into the station house. This changed in 2000, when a major addition was completed. The thoughtful addition provided improved staff offices, meeting rooms, and much-needed restrooms. Despite these changes, the station house remained a symbol of resilience and historic continuity.
In August 2020, during the height of the global pandemic, Chester Creek once again overflowed its banks, flooding the Visitor Center and other park buildings. Faced with this recurring challenge, our staff resolved to find a lasting solution: relocating the historic station house above the flood plain. After months of planning, construction began this past summer. By late spring, we look forward to welcoming visitors once again—this time from a new vantage point, safely two feet above the flood plain. Markham Station is a living testament to the rich history of Newlin Grist Mill. Here, the legacy of old mills and railroads blends with the stories of local families and traditions. Visitors are inspired by the station’s unique ability to connect past generations with the present, making history come alive in every corner.
