Lewes Historic District in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Lewes

Zwaanendael

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 3, 2013

1. Lewes Marker

Inscription. On north side of town was Zwaanendael, first Dutch settlement on Delaware soil. Founded 1631 on creek, named by settlers Hoorn Kil in honor of town of Hoorn in Holland. Colony was destroyed by Indians same year. DeVries, a director of company which had sent out colony, came over next year with aid but returned to Holland 1633.

Erected 1932 by Historic Markers Commission. (Marker Number SC-34.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Notable Events • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1631.

Location. 38° 46.436′ N, 75° 8.362′ W. Marker is in Lewes, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in the Lewes Historic District. It is on Savannah Road (U.S. 9) south of 3rd Street & Kings Highway, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located off the sidewalk among the trees just south of the Zwaanendael Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lewes DE 19958, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Delaware’s Beaches.

It is also 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 walking distance of this marker: World Wars I and II Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Zwaanendael House (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Zwaanendael Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Lewes (within shouting distance of this marker); H.M. Brig DeBraak (within shouting distance of this marker); The Zwaanendael Club (within shouting distance of this marker); David Hall House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fisher-Martin House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewes.

More about this marker. Although the marker itself does not have a number on it, the updated online records of the Delaware Public Archives identify it as number "SC-34".

Also see . . .
1. Zwaanendael Museum. (Submitted on May 27, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. Delaware. (Submitted on May 30, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

Additional keywords. New Netherland

Lewes Marker, looking south along Savannah Road (US 9), sporting new paint in 2010 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2010

2. Lewes Marker, looking south along Savannah Road (US 9), sporting new paint in 2010

Lewes Marker, looking north towards 3rd Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2010

3. Lewes Marker, looking north towards 3rd Street

Zwaanendael Museum, erected 1931 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard E. Miller, May 14, 2009

4. Zwaanendael Museum, erected 1931

Lewes Marker - in the shadow of the trees, center right.

Lewes Marker in front of the Zwaanendael Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 3, 2013

5. Lewes Marker in front of the Zwaanendael Museum

Photographed by Richard E. Miller, May 14, 2009

6. Lewes Marker

Older picture of the marker, before it was repainted.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,741 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 5, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2, 3. submitted on October 17, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on May 27, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 5. submitted on February 5, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6. submitted on May 27, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.