09/07/2026
Did you ever wonder about Richardson Park on the corner of Walker Road and State Street? Here is some history about its beginnings.
RICHARDSON PARK
Richardson Park is situated on Silver Lake, Dover at the eastern end of what was at one time the Wm. Walker farm, where in 1851 Priscilla Heverin Walker was born. The Park was established by her many years later.
She was one of six brothers and sisters raised on this
farm, from whence came the name of Walker Road. Much of the timber in this locality was used to supply railroad ties. Information given by older members of the family related that they referred to the farm as "Fairview" because the old Dover Fair Grounds could be plainly seen from this location.-
When the children grew up the farm was sold and the family moved to a house on the Dover Green. It was there that Priscilla Walker was married to Harry Alden Richardson in 1874. Twenty-two years later he built the combination store and office building on the northwest corner of State and Loockerman Streets and named it the "Priscilla Block" for his wife.
After their marriage Mr. Richardson purchased the former Walker farm and in 1896 Mrs. Richardson developed a private park thereon in a section bordering on Silver Lake. An eye witness states that when this park was dedicated there was music by a band, fireworks were set off and at the end of the ceremony a picture of Mrs. Richardson was displayed in fireworks.
Originally the Park was about twice the size of the present one. There was a dock for row boats, also peacocks, pheasants and swan were on display. Open air picnic houses were provided with tables and benches. Later when on several occasions these tables and benches were found floating in the lake they were permanently removed.
From its beginning up to the present time Richardson Park had been a part of Fairview Farm and had been privately maintained. In order to perpetuate this natural setting and provide an attractive entrance to Dover, it has been deeded to the City of Dover. It is glven in memory of those two people who were primarily responsible for its existence: Namely;
Harry Alden ·Richardson whose activities included the presidencies of Richard son and Robbins Co., The First National Bank of Dover, and the Dover Gas and Light Co., organizer of the Diamond State Telephone Co, and the United States Senator from Delaware; and his wife, Priscilla Walker Richardson whose greatest pleasure in life was to help those in need and bring happiness to other people.
