Appoquinimink Hundred in Townsend in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Townsend

Photographed by Adam Margolis, July 22, 2010

1. Townsend Marker

Inscription. A community of free African Americans, known as Charley Town, was located here by the mid-19th century. Between 1845 and 1855 brothers Samuel and John Townsend purchased several large tracts of farmland in the vicinity. The Delaware Railroad arrived here in 1856, bisecting Samuel Townsend's property. This led to a period of sustained growth for the town, as the railroad station became the principal shipping point for the area's agricultural products. In September 1856 the Post Office was established, and the first hotel opened in 1857. Following a healthy debate among the residents, the station was named Townsend, after the area's major land owners. The peach industry was a vital contributor to the area's growth and prosperity until disease destroyed many Delmarva orchards in the late 19th century. On April 3, 1885 Townsend was formally incorporated by the Delaware General Assembly. In 1986, the Townsend Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected 2008 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-186.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic

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lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is April 3, 1885.

Location. 39° 23.754′ N, 75° 41.418′ W. Marker is in Townsend, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Appoquinimink Hundred. It is on Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 141 Main Street, Townsend DE 19734, 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,

Photographed by Don Morfe, October 13, 2019

2. Townsend Marker

measured as the crow flies: Korean War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Townsend World War II Honor Roll (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Global War on Terrorism (approx. 1.3 miles away); Sgt. William Lloyd Nelson (approx. 1.3 miles away); VFW Post 3792 Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); Old Union Methodist Church (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Townsend.

Also see . . . Townsend Historic District - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form.

The Townsend Historic District is significant as an important nineteenth century railroad transportation center and for its well-preserved architecture that mirrors the town's late nineteenth century prosperity and its transition into the twentieth century. Originating as a rural crossroads, Townsend began to grow as a clustered community after the Delaware Railroad Company opened its line in 1856 and established a station there. The Delaware Railroad, which traversed the length of the state, was built to provide a means of transporting agricultural products
Photographed by Adam Margolis, July 22, 2010

3. Townsend Marker
The marker was originally located at N 39° 23.855, W 075° 41.121.
and natural resources to northern markets. In Townsend, as in several other communities along the line, the railroad station attracted the business of the surrounding landowners who realized increased profits by using rail transportation, as well as the laboring class who found employment with the railroad itself, and with the newly prosperous farmers and orchard growers.

(Submitted on April 24, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

Photographed by Don Morfe, October 13, 2019

4. Townsend Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2019, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,316 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 14, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 2. submitted on October 22, 2019, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on January 14, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 4. submitted on October 22, 2019, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.