Red Lion Hundred in Delaware City in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Fort Delaware

Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 25, 2026

1. Fort Delaware Marker

Inscription. Located in the Delaware River, Fort Delaware was built by the federal government on Pea Patch Island in the mid-1800s as a coastal defense fortification to protect the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia. During the Civil War. Union forces housed more than 33,000 Confederate and political prisoners of war here. About 2,400 Confederate prisoners died, with many buried at Finn's Point National Cemetery in New Jersey. Following service in both World Wars, the fort was returned to the State of Delaware. In 1951, through advocacy efforts led by the Fort Delaware Society, the site was preserved as one of Delaware's first state parks.

Erected 2026 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NCC-256.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil • War, World I • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list.

Location. 39° 34.747′ N, 75° 35.216′ W. Marker is in Delaware City, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Red Lion Hundred. It is on Clinton Street,

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on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 45 Clinton St, Delaware City DE 19706, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: Sailing on the C&D Canal (a few steps from this marker); Small But Mighty (a few steps from this marker); Waterfront at Delaware City (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lock at Delaware City (within shouting distance of this marker); The Diving Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Coastal Defense Forts (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Building the C&D Canal (about 300 feet away); Veteran's Point (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map

Fort Delaware Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 25, 2026

2. Fort Delaware Marker - wide view

of all markers in Delaware City.

Another marker is no longer nearby. City of Delaware City Veteran's Point (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . Fort Delaware State Park. (Submitted on April 25, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

Fort Delaware Marker - view of fort image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, April 25, 2026

3. Fort Delaware Marker - view of fort

This photo was taken from the shore near the marker toward the fort on Pea Patch Island.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 21 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 25, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.