Quaker Hill in Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Woodward Houses
701-703 North West Street
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Quakerism series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1745.
Location. 39° 44.645′ N, 75° 33.168′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Quaker Hill. Marker is on North West Street just north of West 7th Street, on the left when traveling north. The plaque is affixed to the house at 701, although both houses are attached. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 701 N West St, Wilmington DE 19801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 405 West Sixth Street (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 407 West 6th Street (about 400 feet away); 521 West Street (about 400 feet away); 406 West Sixth Street (about 400 feet away); 517 North West Street (about 500 feet away); 513 North West Street (about 500 feet away); 511 North West Street (about 500 feet away); Votes for Women (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.
Also see . . .
this page online
This form was prepared in 1978 by Jean Athan, Historic Preservation Intern with the City of Wilmington's Department of planning, and Mr. John Price one of the owners. A description of the houses' historical significance can be found on page 4:
The Woodward Houses are significant as the only known, extant, eighteenth-century stone houses of a side-hall plan in the City of Wilmington, Delaware. They are excellent examples of the Georgian style of architecture which was prominent in Wilmington during this period.(Submitted on April 13, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
According to the Delaware historian, Jeannette Eckman, 701 and 703 West Street were constructed in 1745 and 1760 respectively. A map drawn by a French military cartographer in 1781, and featured in The American Campaign of Rochambeau's Army, 1780-83, pictures what appears to be these houses with a "corderie", or ropemaking operation, behind them. The Federal Period interior architectural detail indicates that part of the interior of 701 was probably altered between the years 1780-1820.
Originally located on 65 acres of ground, known as South Shallcross Marsh, the Woodward Houses fronted West Street which was laid in the year 1739-40. Joseph Woodward, a Quaker ropemaker from West Chester, Pennsylvania, purchased the property around 1745.He probably built the houses when he established his ropermaking business on the same grounds. In 1769, when he sold the property to his son, Mordecai, the deed mentions a ropewalk which was used in the production of sailing ship rigging. As ropemakers, the Woodward family played an important role in Wilmington's shipbuilding industry of the eighteenth century.Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 12, 20242. The Woodward Houses at 701-703 North West Street
Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 50 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 13, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
