New Castle Hundred in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Delaware's Independence Hall
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 24, 2017
1. Delaware's Independence Hall Marker
Built in 1732 as the statehouse for Pennsylvania's "Three Lower Counties on the Delaware," the New Castle Court House was the scene of a dramatic vote on June 15, 1776 when the colonial assembly declared independence from both Great Britain and Pennsylvania. In September of that year, the former colony held a state constitutional convention here in which it adopted the name, "The Delaware State."
New Castle's George Read served Delaware at both the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. Although reluctant at first to part from Great Britain, he signed the Declaration of Independence.
As a member of the Constitutional Convention, Read stood firm for equal representation of the states. His stance helped lead to the creation of the United States Senate. After the Convention, his support was crucial in making Delaware the first state to ratify the new United States Constitution.
[Captions:]
The sketch above from Benjamin Latrobe's 1805 survey shows the Court House and The Green. The Academy is on the left. Immanuel Church (without its steeple) can be seen between the trees next to the Academy.
Courtesy of Delaware Public Archives
Erected by New
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Government & Politics • Patriots & Patriotism • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 15, 1776.
Location. 39° 39.596′ N, 75° 33.832′ W. Marker is in New Castle, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in New Castle Hundred. It is at the intersection of Delaware Street and 3rd Street, on the left when traveling south on Delaware Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 Delaware Street, New Castle DE 19720, 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, 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
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 24, 2017
2. Delaware's Independence Hall and Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Green or Market Plaine (a few steps from this marker); New Castle Court House 1732 (within shouting distance of this marker); Penn's Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Van Dyke House (within shouting distance of this marker); Sheriff's House and County Jail (within shouting distance of this marker); New Castle Common (within shouting distance of this marker); Presbyterian Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Welcome Society of Pennsylvania (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Castle.
Also see . . .
1. First State National Historical Park. (Submitted on April 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. New Castle Court House Museum. (Submitted on April 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. George Read Bio. (Submitted on April 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
4. George Read Bio. (Submitted on April 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 1, 2019
3. Delaware's Independence Hall Marker
Marker can be seen in the background, behind the fountain in the foreground.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 24, 2017
4. Delaware's Independence Hall
Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 981 times since then and 73 times this year. 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. submitted on April 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
