New Castle Hundred in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad
Linking the Delaware River to the Chesapeake Bay
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 24, 2017
1. New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad Marker
New Castle has a long history as a national transportation link. In the 1820s a turnpike connected ships on the Delaware River with ships on the Chesapeake Bay. However, the turnpike was in poor condition. Progressive town leaders saw possibilities in a new technology.
They formed a company called the New Castle and Frenchtown Turnpike and Rail Road Company and, in 1830, began laying track between New Castle and Frenchtown, Maryland, 16½ miles away. They ordered a locomotive from railroad pioneer Robert Stephenson in England and, on September 10, 1832, started full steam operations, one of the first such operations in the nation. The new venture functioned well, but, eventually, other railroads bypassed New Castle.
You can still see remains of the old railroad around town in the form of re-used granite blocks that once supported the rails.
Conjectural image by Hugh Ryan, Jr.
Erected by New Castle Community Partnership and New Castle Common.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is September 10, 1832.
Location. 39° 39.489′ N, 75° 33.783′ W.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Wilmington and in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, on the Delmarva Peninsula, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Landing Place of William Penn (within shouting distance of this marker); Gunning Bedford House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Delaware Street Wharf Reconstruction (about
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 24, 2017
2. New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad Marker
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Photographed by Adam Margolis
3. New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad Marker
Marker can be seen in the middle of the image. This is viewed from the nearby sidewalk that goes along the river within Battery Park.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 24, 2017
4. Former New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad Sleepers
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 24, 2017
5. Former New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad Sleepers
Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 20,134 times since then and 75 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week September 7, 2025. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3. submitted on February 2, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 4, 5. submitted on April 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
