Triangle Neighborhood in Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Salesianum School

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, November 7, 2008

1. Salesianum School Marker

Inscription. Salesianum School, a Catholic high school for young men, stood at 8th and West Streets from its founding in 1903 until its move to this location in 1957. The original "House of Sales" was pioneered by Rev. Charles Fromentin, Rev. James Isenring and Rev. Louis Jacquter, priests in the order of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, which has owned and operated the school and maintained a community presence for more than one hundred years. Salesianum quickly developed a reputation as a leader in academics, athletics, and the performing arts, graduating young men who would go on to prominence in the professions, business, education, church, and military. In 1950, Rev. Thomas A. Lawless, OSFS, a 1908 graduate of Salesianum, admitted five African American students, four years prior to the Brown v. Board of Education decision made it mandatory. "I see nothing to apologize for other than the fact it wasn't done years ago," Father Lawless said of his decision. For over a century, Salesianum has continued to educate students irrespective of religion or ethnic background to live in the example of the gentleman saint, Francis de Sales.

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From the original twelve students in 1903 to the thousands of alumni who have since studied under the Oblates, Tenui Nec Dimittam remains true to this day.

Erected 2006 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-148.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 39° 45.642′ N, 75° 32.937′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in the Triangle Neighborhood. It is on N. Broom St. near W. 20th Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wilmington DE 19802, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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

Salesianum High School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, November 7, 2008

2. Salesianum High School

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: The stones of these piers… (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); World War II Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Abessinio Stadium (approx. ¼ mile away); Dominic "Dim" Montero '38 (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Abessinio Stadium (approx. ¼ mile away); Armando Felix "Tantor" Hidalgo '63 (approx. ¼ mile away); Looking Back… (approx. 0.3 miles away); White Oak (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Additional keywords. Integration

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,925 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 15, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.