Laurel in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Wading Place

Photographed by F. Robby, December 8, 2007

1. The Wading Place Marker

Inscription. Here was Laurel's ancient "Wading Place", a ford for Native Americans and colonial settlers. Broad Creek crosses this fall in its flow to the Nanticoke River and Chesapeake Bay. For centuries, the Nanticoke Indians, an Algonquin people, lived in the Nanticoke Watershed, within which Broad Creek is an important tributary. Here were oak and cedar, marsh and creek, bass and perch, deer and wolves. Until 1775 this area was part of Maryland. In the 18th Century events here reflected pressures to the south at Chicone, an Indian Town near present day Vienna. In 1725, Maryland's General Assembly found that the Nanticoke Indians upon some Disgust through Injurys done them by the English removed higher up the River about twenty years agoe...to A place Called broad Creek which was afterwards in the year 1711 purchased for them" with 3,000 acres being set aside as a reservation. As the pressure of English settlement continued to increase, many of the Nanticokes migrated up the Susquehanna River to live under the protection of the Iroquois Confederation. The reservation lands were formally abandoned in 1768. Old Sailor's Path between

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The Wading Place and Bethel, Rossakutm Creek, and Tussocky Branch at Portsville, are memories of the Nanticoke Age. The Wading Place is the center of today's Broad Creek Greenway from Trap Pond to the Nanticoke River.

Erected 2004 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-182.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1775.

Location. 38° 33.484′ N, 75° 34.183′ W. Marker is in Laurel, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is on Delaware Avenue 0.1 miles north of Market Street (Delaware Route 24), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Laurel DE 19956, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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

Broad Creek - Looking East image. Click for full size.

Photographed by F. Robby, December 8, 2007

2. Broad Creek - Looking East

View of Broad Creek from the location of the historical marker, looking east.

once New Netherland,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Memorial Tree (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans Memorial Fountain (about 600 feet away); Centenary United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. Farlow House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fooks-Plummer House (approx. 0.2 miles away); 312 East 4th Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); 403 South Central Avenue (approx. 0.2 miles away); 502 South Central Avenue (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Laurel.

Broad Creek - Looking West image. Click for full size.

Photographed by F. Robby, December 8, 2007

3. Broad Creek - Looking West

View of Broad Creek from the location of the historical marker, looking west.

Janosik Park Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by F. Robby, December 8, 2007

4. Janosik Park Marker

Within a few yards of The Wading Place marker, this flagpole is marked with a stone memorializing Johnny Janosik. The inscription reads: Janosik Park. This park is a living tribute to the commitment and compassion of Johnny Janosik toward improving the quality of life in Laurel. It represents his support of community-based projects including The Good Samaritan Shop, The Hope House Project, the Laurel Chamber of Commerce, and the Laurel Redevelopment Corporation. The leadership and generosity demonstrated by Johnny Janosik is reflected in the natural beauty of this park and throughout his beloved Laurel. Dedicated December 2002.

The Wading Place Marker (r), seen looking north along Delaware Avenue , near Broad Creek image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2012

5. The Wading Place Marker (r), seen looking north along Delaware Avenue , near Broad Creek

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,660 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on September 27, 2008, by Philip Lohrenz of Staten Island, New York. Photos: 1. submitted on December 30, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 6, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 5. submitted on October 24, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.