New Castle Hundred in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Sheriff's House and County Jail
Courtesy of Thomas P. Martin, July 28, 2021
1. Sheriff's House and County Jail Marker
In 1857 New Castle County constructed a new prison complex on this site. Designed by famous Philadelphia architect, Samuel Sloan, the facility had two parts. The Sheriff's House (seen at left in this 1893 photo) provided a roomy residence for the County Sheriff and his family. The prison (to its right) could house as many as forty inmates. The 1885 plan below shows details of the complex.
The county seat moved to Wilmington in 1881, but the Sheriff's House and County Jail remained in service until 1902 when the new county prison opened at Greenbank. The jail in New Castle was torn down in 1912. The Sheriff's House continued to be used, most notably as the home of New Castle Club and, finally as the city police headquarters until 1997. The National Park Service now manages the Sheriff's House as part of First State National Historical Park.
The whipping post and pillory in the New Castle Prison Yard are shown in use in this 1896 painting by Edward Lamson Henry. Delaware was the last state to abolish the whipping post. The last whipping was in 1952, but the state did not outlaw the practice until 1972.
Erected by City of New Castle and the New Castle Community Partnership.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.
Location.
this page online
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 least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: New Castle Common (a few steps from this marker); Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The Welcome Society of Pennsylvania (within shouting distance of this marker); New Castle Court House 1732 (within shouting distance of this marker); Delaware's Independence Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Penn's Place (within shouting distance of this marker); William Penn (within shouting distance of this marker); Frenchtown Railroad Sleepers (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Castle.
Also see . . . First State National Historical Park. (Submitted on April 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 24, 2017
2. Sheriff's House and County Jail Marker
Courtesy of Thomas P. Martin, July 28, 2021
3. Sheriff's House and County Jail Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 24, 2017
4. Sheriff's House and County Jail Date Stone
Photographed by Edward Lamson Henry, 1896
5. Painting on Sheriff's House and County Jail Marker
Photographed by Unknown, 1885
6. Sheriff's House and County Jail Floor Plan on Marker
Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 1, 2019
7. Sheriff's House and County Jail Building
Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,490 times since then and 88 times this year. Last updated on May 31, 2025, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on March 25, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on April 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3. submitted on March 25, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 7. submitted on February 2, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
