Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Howard Schroeder

Soldier, Artist, Conservationist

Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 13, 2025

1. Howard Schroeder Marker

Inscription.
Noted painter Howard Schroeder (1910-1995) was assigned to Fort Miles in 1941. That first winter, soldiers lived in tents or a large warehouse because barracks were still under construction. Schroeder painted fellow soldiers as well as the beaches, landscapes, and lighthouses of the Cape region. In 1985 he recalled, "By the time the war ended, there was a feeling that this was a pretty nice area, and many of us stayed down, some of us right here in Lewes."

After the war, Schroeder worked as an artist full-time. He and wife Marian raised six children in Lewes, often taking them along when Howard was teaching or painting. He saw coastal Delaware grow and change, and felt compelled to paint scenes that he knew would be vastly different after only a generation.

"Our love of the outdoors came from Dad"

Howard Schroeder raised his children in nature, where they inherited their father's love of the outdoors and birdwatching. Their contributions include participating in an Earth Day protest at the Great Dune, sponsoring environmental and conservation legislation, and continuing to be active volunteers in the park. Each

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of the family members has, in his or her own way, raised conservation awareness and worked to preserve the parks and open spaces their father so loved.

(Captions):
Howard Schroeder

Untitled, Fort Miles 1943 by Howard Schroeder

The artist and father with his six children; from left Gail, Howard Carole (on his shoulders), Rob (on chair), John (striped shirt) and Stephen. Circa 1956

Erected by Delaware State Parks.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Environment • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Delaware State Parks, and the Lighthouses series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 38° 45.943′ N, 75° 5.115′ W. Marker is in Lewes, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Cape Henlopen State Park. It can be reached from Walking Dunes Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Walking Dunes Trail, Lewes DE 19958, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Delaware’s Beaches.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the

Howard Schroeder Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 13, 2025

2. Howard Schroeder Marker - wide view

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 in what was once New Netherland,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Herring Point (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Reclaiming the Cape (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Cape Henlopen Lighthouse (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Great Dune (approx. 0.8 miles away); 8-inch Gun (approx. 0.8 miles away); 16-inch Gun (approx. 0.8 miles away); Proof Steel (approx. 0.8 miles away); Standing Guard (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewes.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The U.S. Navy at Cape Henlopen (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Wilmington, Delaware. This page has been viewed 150 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 14, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Wilmington, Delaware.