Saint George's Hundred near Port Penn in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Port Penn Front Range Light

Photographed by William Pfingsten, August 17, 2008

1. Port Penn Front Range Light Marker

Inscription. In 1875, Congress approved funding to build several lighthouses along this segment of the Delaware River. This site was purchased in April 1876, and by December the Port Penn Front Range Light was completed. Constructed under the direction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, it was a two story frame structure with a lantern room above. The light was powered by a double-wick oil burner. The floors below served as living space for the lighthouse keeper and his family. Keepers were Henry C. Walter (1876-1885) and George W. Duncan (1885-1904). The facility was renovated and expanded circa 1898. Due to changes in the shipping channel, the light was closed in October 1904. The property was sold as surplus in 1911.

Erected 2003 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-131.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives, and the Lighthouses series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1876.

Location. 39° 29.536′ N, 75° 35.359′ W. Marker is near Port Penn, Delaware, in New

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Castle County. It is in Saint George's Hundred. It is on St. Augustine Road Rt. 9, on the right when traveling north. Marker is about 900 ft. south of the St. Augustine bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Penn DE 19731, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Delaware’s Southern New Castle County, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Augustine Beach (approx. 1.2 miles away); Augustine Inn (approx. 1.2 miles away); 119 South Congress Street (approx. 1.6 miles away); 117 South Congress Street (approx. 1.6 miles away); Samuel and Ida Eaton House (approx. 1.6 miles away); 115 South Congress Street (approx.

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1.7 miles away); George Swartz House (approx. 1.7 miles away); Reedy Island Officers House (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Penn.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,910 times since then and 23 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on August 20, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.

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