Ocean View in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Cecile Steele's Chicken House
Circa 1923
— Ocean View, Delaware —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 16, 2022
1. Cecile Steele's Chicken House Marker
Welcome to the Historic Village in Ocean View!
As designated by the blue historical marker, this building is an exact replica of Cecile Steele's chicken house. In 1923, when Cecile was mistakenly delivered 500 biddies instead of the 50 baby chicks she ordered to replace her egg layers, Cecile placed the biddies inside a piano box until her husband, Wilmer, built this poultry house. Cecile sold the surviving chicks at such a profit, that she began the U.S. broiler industry, making Sussex County the first and largest chicken producer anywhere.
Erected 2022 by Historic Village in Ocean View.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.
Location. 38° 32.879′ N, 75° 5.334′ W. Marker is in Ocean View, Delaware, in Sussex County. Marker can be reached from Central Avenue north of Oakwood Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 41 Central Ave, Ocean View DE 19970, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ocean View Post Office (a few steps from this marker); Hall's Store (a few steps from this marker); Ocean View, Delaware (a few steps from this marker);
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Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 166 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 18, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
