Broad Creek Hundred in Woodland in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Woodland Ferry
Photographed by F. Robby, December 8, 2007
1. Woodland Ferry Marker
By the 1740s a ferry service was being regularly operated at this location by James Cannon. He was succeeded by his son Jacob, who constructed a much-needed causeway on this side of the river for the improvement of the business. Threatened by competitors, Jacob's widow Betty Cannon successfully petitioned the Delaware General Assembly in 1793 for "sole and exclusive" rights to the operation of the service. The ferry continued to be operated by members of the Cannon family until the mid-19th century. In 1883 the legislature authorized the county government to establish and maintain "a public ferry across the Nanticoke River at the place now known as Woodland, but formerly known as Cannon's Ferry." The Act further required "that all citizens of the State, with their teams, wagons, and carriages, shall be transported across said ferry at all times between sunrise and sunset, free of charge." In 1935 the State of Delaware assumed responsibility for the maintenance of roads and the operation of the ferry. Landing areas on both sides of the river have been improved and are jointly maintained by the State and local citizens.
Erected 2004 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-173.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era
this page online
Location. 38° 35.948′ N, 75° 39.357′ W. Marker is in Woodland, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Broad Creek Hundred. It is on Woodland Ferry Road 3.9 miles east of W. Stein Highway (Delaware Route 20), on the left when traveling east. Marker is located on the east bank of the Nanticoke River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5578 Woodland Ferry Rd, Seaford DE 19973, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Mid-Atlantic and on the Delmarva Peninsula. 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, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Woodland United Methodist Church (about 700 feet away); The Tina Fallon (about 700 feet away); Woodland School (approx. 0.8 miles away); Captain John Smith Memorial (approx. 2.6 miles away); Phillips Landing and Harley G. Hastings (approx. 2.6 miles away); Bethel Community House
Photographed by F. Robby, December 8, 2007
2. Woodland Park
Another marker is no longer nearby. Cannon's Ferry (was about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . . Cannon's Ferry - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form.
At least since 1793, and perhaps longer, a public ferry has crossed the river here. It is the last cable ferry in Delaware. A deed dated 1776 mentions a ferry in this vicinity known by the name of Cannon's Ferry.(Submitted on April 22, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)
Photographed by F. Robby, December 8, 2007
3. Woodland Ferry
Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 17, 2024
4. Woodland Ferry viewed from the northwest bank of the river
Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,685 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 30, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 4. submitted on April 17, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
