New Castle Hundred in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Industrial Track Trail

Photographed by Pete Skillman, July 26, 2024

1. The Industrial Track Trail Marker

Inscription. The Rise of Delaware's Railroads
The 19th century saw railroad expansion all over the country. In Delaware railroads connected New Castle County and Wilmington to points north south and west. Yet, the need for a direct line between New Castle County and Wilmington was undeniable. Riverfront industries required coal to power their machinery, the numerous mills had goods to transport and the residents of rural New Castle County needed an easier route to Wilmington.

The New Castle & Wilmington Railroad was chartered in 1839 and opened in 1854, linking these two locations and providing a connection with other railroads. In 1891, it was sold to the Delaware Railroad. The New Castle & Wilmington Railroad was abandoned in sections from 1972 to 1984 until its tracks were finally removed in the mid-1990s.

Did you know?
Bicycling is the most energy-efficient form of transportation ever invented.

A Pedestrian-Friendly Trail is Built
Today the Industrial Track Trail follows almost the exact corridor of the former New Castle & Wilmington Railroad. What was once a track of steel and smoke is now a lush 3.8-mile nature trail

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that connects the historic town of New Castle with the Wilmington Riverfront. It's a truly unique trail where history, nature and entertainment net.

Erected by New Castle County Delaware.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1839.

Location. 39° 41.485′ N, 75° 34.605′ W. Marker is in New Castle, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in New Castle Hundred. It is on Jack A. Markell Trail, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3248 Jack A Markell Trail, New Castle DE 19720, 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

The Industrial Track Trail Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, July 26, 2024

2. The Industrial Track Trail Marker - wide view

least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Farnhurst Potter's Field – New Castle County Hospital Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named The Industrial Track Trail (approx. 0.7 miles away); Delaware State Hospital Cemetery (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named The Industrial Track Trail (approx. one mile away); A Notable Resting Place (approx. one mile away); The Collins Park Bombings (approx. 1.2 miles away); St. John's Lodge No. 2 (approx. 1.3 miles away); Wounded Combat Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Castle.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 203 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 26, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.