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

The Lynching of George White

Photographed by Pete Skillman

1. The Lynching of George White Marker

Inscription. On June 23, 1903, George White, a black farm laborer, was lynched near this site by a mob of white citizens. After being accused of murdering a white girl on June 16, Mr. White was taken to the New Castle County Workhouse to await trial. On June 21, a local minister urged at least 3,000 white residents to exact swift public vengeance. The next evening, a mob stormed the jail and carried Mr. White to Price's Corner. He was tortured and burned alive on June 23 in front of hundreds of spectators, who took pieces of his remains as souvenirs. No one was convicted for Mr. White's lynching, one of over 4000 racial terror lynchings from 1877 to 1950.

Erected 2019 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NCC-244.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Law Enforcement • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 23, 1903.

Location. 39° 44.26′ N, 75° 37.858′ W. Marker is near Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Woodland.

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It can be reached from the intersection of Kirkwood Highway (Delaware Route 2) and Newport Gap Pike ( Route 41), on the right when traveling west. The marker stands near the old brick prison tower in Greenbank Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3401 Kirkwood Hwy, Wilmington DE 19808, 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 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: Wilmington & Western Railroad (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The "Annie Oakleys": First Female Prison Guards in the United States (about 500 feet away); How a Steam Locomotive Works (about 600 feet away); What Is This? (about 600 feet away); Greenbank Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away);

The Lynching of George White Marker - Wide shot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman

2. The Lynching of George White Marker - Wide shot

The marker is located very close to the old brick prison tower that is mentioned on the nearby “Annie Oakley” marker.

The Home of William Julius "Judy" Johnson (approx. 0.7 miles away); Fells Mill Historic District (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Delaware Continentals (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

3. The Lynching of George White Marker

“A Replica marker of one side is located at the Equal Justice Initiatives' National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama. The Equal Justice Initiative supports efforts to locally memorialize documented victims of racial violence and to educate communities about the history of racial injustice.” Mark Hilton

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2022, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 988 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 6, 2022, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. 3. submitted on October 14, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.