Little Creek Hundred in Laurel in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Paul Laurence Dunbar School

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 28, 2022

1. Paul Laurence Dunbar School Marker

Inscription. The Paul Laurence Dunbar School educated African American students in Laurel in grades 1-11 from 1921-1965. Constructed as part of philanthropist Pierre S. du Pont's school rebuilding program, the Dunbar School replaced a small wood-framed school in West Laurel built in 1867. The new building was named for black Poet Paul Laurence Dunbar and also served as a center for social activity in the West Laurel community. The school expanded in 1935 and 1955 by adding classrooms and a multipurpose room. The Laurel School District desegregated in 1965 and the Dunbar School continued to serve as an elementary school until it closed in 2018.

Erected 2019 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-274.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Education. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location. 38° 33.402′ N, 75° 34.876′ W. Marker is in Laurel, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Little Creek Hundred. It is on West 6th Street (County Road 492)

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just east of Webb Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 447 W 6th St, Laurel DE 19956, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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,

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: 709 West Street (approx. 0.4 miles away); 807 West Street (approx. 0.4 miles away); 202 East 6th Street (approx. half a mile away); Centenary United Methodist Church (approx. half a mile away); Veterans Memorial Fountain (approx. half a mile away); 502 South Central Avenue (approx. 0.6 miles away); Hope Lodge No. 4 (approx. 0.6 miles away); Memorial Tree (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Laurel.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 28, 2022

2. Paul Laurence Dunbar School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,000 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 29, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.