Iron Hill Park near Newark in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Site of the First Iron Hill School
Ca. 1880 - 1920
Iron Hill Museum & Science Center
| | Delaware Academy of Science | |
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 30, 2023
1. Site of the First Iron Hill School Marker
Unfortunately the marker has been damaged.
On the ground before you are the archaeological remains of the original Iron Hill School #112C. The one-room school was constructed for the education of African-American students in the Iron Hill area. Archival records suggest that the school operated from the 1880's to approximately 1915.
At that time the school closed and the students temporarily attended school in nearby churches. The new Iron Hill School (currently the museum building), was constructed by P.S. DuPont as part of a statewide African-American public education program and opened in 1923.
The building that formerly stood on this site was sold at auction on October 17, 1923 at the Deer Park Tavern. The building was moved via wagon to a site on US Route 40 near the Pleasant Valley Road intersection. The relocated school building was used as a private residence until the 1940s.
Christopher Trahan
The work on this site, (clearing, installation of stone path, fencing, and signage), was apart of Christopher Trahan's eagle scout project, performed under the guidance of Archaeologist Barb Silber. Christopher is a member of troop 444 in Elkton.
Erected by Delaware
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Anthropology & Archaeology • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is October 17, 1923.
Location. 39° 37.851′ N, 75° 45.525′ W. Marker has been reported damaged. Marker is near Newark, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Iron Hill Park. It can be reached from South Old Baltimore Pike east of Whittaker Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1360 S Old Baltimore Pike, Newark DE 19702, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Wilmington and 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 location: Ninety Years Recording the Black Population of Pencader Hundred: The U.S. Census
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 30, 2023
2. Site of the First Iron Hill School Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 227 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 31, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
