History of Tavistock & Environs

Woodlawn Trustees began developing Tavistock in the late 1960's. Tavistock I, the part towards  Mt. Lebanon Road, was begun in 1968. Tavistock II, the part towards Garden of Eden Road, was begun in 1972. Tavistock is a sister community to Alapocas, Woodbrook, Sharpley, and the two Edenridges – all developed by the Woodlawn Trustees.

The Tavistock Civic Association was organized in February and March of 1973. The first social event was a block party in October 1973.

Woodlawn Trustees was founded by William Bancroft (photo on right) in 1901 with the purpose of developing his landholdings on the west side of the Concord Pike to support affordable rental housing in Wilmington and preserve open space. Much more can be found about the Woodlawn Trustees on their website at:                      http://www.woodlawntrustees.com

The land west of the Concord Pike was mostly farmland in the 1800s. The Tavistock land was once part of two farms belonging to George Hornby and William Wilson. William Bancroft bought the two farms in the 1890s.

The New Castle County libraries have two good books with illustrations that present the history of Brandywine Hundred. They are “North from Wilmington by Oulde Roads and Turnpikes” by Nancy Churchman Sawin and Barbara McEwing and “Neighbors of the Wilmington – Great Valley Turnpike” by Barbara McEwing. The turnpike referred to is now known as the Concord Pike.

Written by Frank Maderich