New Castle 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

Inscription.
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. Marker is in New Castle, Delaware, in New Castle County. Marker is at the intersection

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of Delaware Street and The Strand, on the right when traveling south on Delaware Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Battery Park, New Castle DE 19720, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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 400 feet away); Packet Alley (about 500 feet away); New Castle Harbor (about 500 feet away); Crossing the Delaware (about 500 feet away); Penn's Place (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Castle.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 24, 2017

2. New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad Marker

Looking NE toward the intersection of Delaware Street and The Strand

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.

Former New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad Sleepers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 24, 2017

4. Former New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad Sleepers

Paving an alley running SW from Delaware and Market Streets

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 24, 2017

5. Former New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad Sleepers

Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 472 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 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 Scranton, Pennsylvania.