Mid-town Brandywine in Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
United States Post Office, Court House and Custom House
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 10, 2023
1. United States Post Office, Court House and Custom House Marker
Constructed in 1937 on the site of the McComb Winchester Mansion, this building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 as an outstanding example of neoclassical architecture. The building housed the U.S. Post Office and Custom House, the U.S. District Court and other federal offices until 1973 and the main branch of the Wilmington Post Office until 1978.
The building was enlarged and renovated in 1982 as the Wilmington Trust Center. The historic facade of the building has been preserved; the restored lobby features original WPA murals, Art Moderne bronze lamps and other architectural details typically found in the architecture of the 1930's.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), the Postal Mail and Philately, and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.
Location. 39° 44.785′ N, 75° 32.792′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Mid-town Brandywine. It is on East 11th Street (Delaware Route 52) west of North King Street (Business
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Regionally, this marker is in Greater Philadelphia. 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 and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Suffrage Rally (about 300 feet away); Rodney Square (about 300 feet away); Saint Joseph Church (about 500 feet away); The Monday Club (about 700 feet away); The Starr House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Votes for Women (approx. 0.2 miles away); Knotty Pine Restaurant (approx. 0.2 miles away); Burton V. Wilmington Parking Authority (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Caesar Rodney Monument (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . . U.S. Post Office, Courthouse, and Customhouse - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form.
The following quotations are from a determination made by the State Architectural Historian supporting the SHPO opinion:(Submitted on April 23, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)
"Architecturally, the building reflects some fine neo-classical detailing on the exterior and very Interesting Art Moderne detailing on the Interior. The finest exterior spaces are the lobby, still in use for postal service, and the main courtroom, now abandoned".
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 10, 2023
2. United States Post Office, Court House and Custom House Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 323 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 11, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
