Mispillion Hundred in Harrington in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Wheeler’s Park

The “Disneyland of Harrington”

Photographed by Pete Skillman, October 5, 2026

1. Wheeler’s Park Marker

Inscription. Wheeler's Park was created in 1948 by Harrington-area resident William A. Wheeler, who worked as a regional freight agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad. He also owned Wheeler's Radio Store, which sold appliances and bottled gas. Starting with a single picnic table, Wheeler gradually added playgrounds, animal attractions, pony rides, nature trails, a pavilion, a small-scale railroad, a wading pool, and a small museum. For decades, Wheeler's Park was Kent County's only area with children's entertainment. It became a popular site for church picnics and annual company events for Dover Air Force Base and businesses from both Kent and Sussex counties. The park closed in 1977.

Erected 2026 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number KC-138.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1948.

Location. 38° 56.111′ N, 75° 34.602′ W. Marker is in Harrington, Delaware, in Kent County.

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It is in Mispillion Hundred. It is on Harrington Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 428 Harrington Ave, Harrington DE 19952, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); Harrington Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Clark's Corner (approx. ¾ mile away); First Rural Free Delivery Route (approx. 0.8 miles away); St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church (approx. one mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Harrington (approx. 1.4 miles away); Delaware State Fair (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map

Wheeler’s Park Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, October 5, 2026

2. Wheeler’s Park Marker - wide view

of all markers in Harrington.

Also see . . . From picnic table to ‘Disneyland of Harrington’: Wheeler’s Park remembered. A local news article about the unveiling of the historical marker, with some additional details. (Submitted on October 5, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Wilmington, Delaware.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Wilmington, Delaware. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 5, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Wilmington, Delaware.