Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Battery Hunter
Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 13, 2025
1. Battery Hunter Marker
This casemate, named Battery Hunter was built in World War II to house two 6-inch guns. The bunker, 15 acres of surrounding land and 500 feet of beach surrounding it was occupied by the Navy from 1950 until 1981.
Beginning in 1950 until 1957, it was the headquarters for the Navy Harbor Defense Unit's anti-submarine listening system that protected the mouth of the Delaware Bay. In 1962, it became Naval Radio Station Lewes, which supported the National Emergency Command Post Afloat (NECPA) system designed to be used in case of nuclear war. In 1964, the radio station moved to nearby Fort Miles Battery 519.
In 1965, Battery Hunter reverted to the Naval Reserve as a training facility for Inshore Undersea Warfare Division 401 (later became Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit 604) In 1981, when the Navy's secret Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) facility at Cape Henlopen's Herring Point was closed, Battery Hunter was also turned over to Delaware State Parks.
2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the Navy Reserves that operated on this site from 1957 to 1981.
(Captions):
Battery Hunter as it appeared shortly before
this page online
Tropospheric-scatter antenna on top of Battery Hunter was used to communicate with the NECPA "doomsday ships."
One of Battery Hunter's 6-inch guns used during World War II.
Erected by Delaware State Parks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, Cold • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Delaware State Parks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1950.
Location. 38° 47.29′ N, 75° 5.339′ W. Marker is in Lewes, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Cape Henlopen State Park. It can be reached from Post Lane. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 37256 Post Ln, Lewes DE 19958, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Delawares Beaches. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, on the Delmarva Peninsula, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself
Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 13, 2025
2. Battery Hunter Marker - wide view
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Senator David B. McBride (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Ever Changing Cape Henlopen (approx. half a mile away); Delawares Beachnesters (approx. half a mile away); The Osprey (approx. half a mile away); Delaware Breakwater Quarantine Station (approx. 0.7 miles away); William J. Hopkins (approx. 0.7 miles away); Quarantine Station (approx. 0.7 miles away); German Submarine at Cape Henlopen (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewes.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Wilmington, Delaware. This page has been viewed 265 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 13, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Wilmington, Delaware.
