Dover in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Kent County Courthouses

1680-1983

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, October 9, 2006

1. Kent County Courthouses Marker

Inscription. Court was first held in Jones County in 1680. In 1682 William Penn changed the county’s name to Kent County. On August 11, 1683 William Penn directed that the town of Dover be laid out and that a courthouse be erected at the intersection of its two main streets. In 1697-1699 a courthouse was erected in accordance with Penn’s direction at the site of the present courthouse. A former courthouse had been ordered burned for its nails. The 1699 building was used until 1722 when it was sold for use as a tavern and a new courthouse was erected on the east side of The Green. The courts met at that site until 1874 when the present courthouse was erected as a four-story building. In 1918 it was remodeled and reduced to three stories. It has been expanded at various times, including 1957 and 1983.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is August 11, 1683.

Location. 39° 9.362′ N, 75° 31.408′ W. Marker is in Dover, Delaware, in Kent County. It can be reached from The Green near South State Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker

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is located next to the rear entrance to the Kent County Court House on the southeast corner of South State Street and The Green. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: #38 The Green, Dover DE 19901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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 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: Site of King George’s Tavern (a few steps from this marker); The John Bell House (within shouting distance of this marker); Discover Delaware's Capital at First State Heritage Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The Delaware Line (within shouting distance of this marker); State House (within shouting distance of this marker); An Army of Restoration (CCC) (within shouting distance of this marker); Ridgely House

Kent County Courthouses (1680-1983) Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, January 19, 2022

2. Kent County Courthouses (1680-1983) Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); In the Council Chamber of Elizabeth Battell's Golden Fleece Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dover.

Another marker is no longer nearby. John Bell House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Kent County Courthouses (1680-1983) Marker Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, January 19, 2022

3. Kent County Courthouses (1680-1983) Marker Area

This view is towards the southeast.

The Kent County Court House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer

4. The Kent County Court House

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2007, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 2,123 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on September 10, 2025, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on December 12, 2007, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. 2, 3. submitted on January 19, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 4. submitted on November 28, 2007, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.