Midway near Rehoboth Beach in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Settlement of Wolfe Neck
A Nice Place to Visit or Live for Thousands of Years
When the Dutch first arrived in 1631 to build a whaling station near Lewes, they met a band of Lenape Indians known as the Sicconese. For at least 2,500 years, the Indians had been coming to Wolfe Neck in the spring to harvest clams, oysters and other shellfish. Over many years, they left large middens, piles of the empty shells they threw away, scattered across the landscape.
Europeans first settled in the Wolfe Neck area around 1670 with grants to John Liming and William Warrin. The area was farmed for the next 300 years. At one time, at least eight houses stood here at Wolfe Neck, but most have disappeared or been moved. Only the 1872 Wolfe House remains to remind us of this area's past.
[Caption:]
An artist in Sweden drew this picture of the Lenape Indians in 1702, based on travelers' descriptions. Courtesy of The Library Company of Philadelphia
Erected by Delaware State Parks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Delaware State Parks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1631.
Location. 38° 44.442′ N, 75° 7.235′ W. Marker is near Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Midway. Marker can be reached from Wolfe Neck Road, 0.4 miles east of Rusty Anchor Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 36070 Wolfe Neck Rd, Rehoboth Beach DE 19971, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Junction and Breakwater Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tiki Nook (approx. 1.3 miles away); Triton Trumpet (approx. 1.3 miles away); Wampum (approx. 1.3 miles away); Lost Ruins (approx. 1.3 miles away); King Helmet (approx. 1.3 miles away); Sand Dollar (approx. 1.3 miles away); Wentletrap (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rehoboth Beach.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 52 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 17, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.