Broad Creek Hundred in Bethel in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Town of Bethel

Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 17, 2024

1. Town of Bethel Marker

Inscription. Bethel's recorded history began in 1683 as a land grant called Manlove's Grove. Kendal Lewis purchased portions of three land tracts. Manlove's Grove. Mitchell's Harbor and Job's lot, from George Mitchell in 1795 and named it Lewis' Wharf. A small village developed around Lewis' Wharf, later called Lewisville, and renamed Bethel in 1880. Bethel was a shipbuilding town known for its design of a flat bottom schooner, the Ram. The Federal and Victorian homes throughout the town were constructed by ship carpenters and showcase the skill of the early residents. In 1975, Bethel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected 2017 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-257.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1683.

Location. 38° 34.225′ N, 75° 37.172′ W. Marker is in Bethel, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Broad Creek Hundred. It is on Main Street (Local Road 487A) south of 1st Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map

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. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7749 Main St, Bethel DE 19931, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Shipcarpenters and Seamen Memorial (here, next to this marker); Sailor's Bethel Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Bethel Shipyard (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bethel Community House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Portsville United Methodist Church (approx. ¾ mile away); Paul Laurence Dunbar School (approx. 2.3 miles away); Mount Zion United Methodist Church (approx. 2.4 miles away); 709 West Street (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bethel.

Also see . . . Bethel Historic District - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form.

The town of Bethel is situated in a primarily agricultural section of Sussex County. It stands on the northern bank of Broad Creek, which served as a stimulus for the town's financial success. Incorporated within the town's limits, primarily along the main street, are a number of significant domestic structures.

(Submitted on April 23, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

Town of Bethel Marker wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 17, 2024

2. Town of Bethel Marker wide view

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 491 times since then and 73 times this year. Last updated on December 24, 2025, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 17, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.