Near Delaware City in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
In Memory of W. Emerson Wilson
1908 - 1982
Through his leadership Pea Patch Island was returned to the State of Delaware by the Federal Government in 1948. He was the founder and first president of the Fort Delaware Society, January 1950 and was elected chairman of the board in 1956.
Erected 1982 by Fort Delaware Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.
Location. 39° 35.37′ N, 75° 34.06′ W. Marker is near Delaware City, Delaware, in New Castle County. It can be reached from Park pathway. Marker is on Pea Patch Island inside Fort Delaware. The island can only be reached by ferry from Delaware City or Fort Mott, NJ. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Delaware City DE 19706, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Wilmington and in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic and on the Delmarva Peninsula. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sally Port (here, next to this marker); Power Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Gun Embrasure (within shouting distance of this marker); Pea Patch Island (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pea Patch Island Heronry (approx. 1.2 miles away in New Jersey); Heronry on Pea Patch Island (approx. 1.2 miles away); Coastal Defense Forts (approx. 1.2 miles away); Veteran's Point (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Delaware City.
Other markers no longer nearby. Batteries Hentig and Dodd (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); City of Delaware City Veteran's Point (was approx. 1.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . Fort Delaware State Park. (Submitted on August 13, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 12, 2009
2. Marker in Fort Delaware
The W. Emerson Wilson marker is located next to the sallyport in Fort Delaware.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 12, 2009
3. Inside of Fort Delaware
The W. Emerson Wilson Marker can be seen to the right of the entrance to Fort Delaware (above the cannon).
Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, August 10, 2008
4. Fort Delaware State Park Sign
Sign is at the ferry dock on Pea Patch Island.
Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, August 10, 2008
5. Fort Delaware
Fort was built in 1812 to protect Philadelphia from the British. It is a star shaped fort designed to deflect direct hits by cannon shots. Fort Delaware was the largest prisoner of war camp during the Civil War with over 9500 Confederate prisoners housed on the grounds of Pea Patch Island. Costumed reenactors give demonstrations of fort life in 1864.
Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, August 10, 2008
6. Interior of Fort Delaware
Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, August 10, 2008
7. Restored Mess Hall
Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, August 10, 2008
8. 32 Pounder Demostration inside fort.
Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, August 10, 2008
9. Fort Delaware surrounded by moat.
Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, August 10, 2008
10. Prisoner Barracks
Reconstructed example of one of many barracks that housed Confederate prisoners.
Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, August 10, 2008
11. Interior of prison barracks
Reenactor explains life of a Confederate prisoner.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,037 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on August 12, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on October 1, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on August 13, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
