Baltimore Hundred in Ocean View in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Ocean View, Delaware

Birthplace of the Commercial Broiler Industry

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 16, 2022

1. Ocean View Delaware Marker

Inscription. In 1923, Cecile Long Steele started a flock of 500 chicks. At 16 weeks, they weighted 2¼ pounds and sold for 62 cents a pound. By 1989, growers produce birds of twice the weight in half the time. Sussex County leads the nation in broiler production, now a multibillion dollar industry.

Erected by The Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-78.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.

Location. 38° 32.881′ N, 75° 5.345′ W. Marker is in Ocean View, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Baltimore Hundred. It is on Central Avenue near Osprey Lane, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 41 Central Ave, Ocean View DE 19970, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Delaware’s Beaches.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic

and on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

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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: Ocean View Post Office (here, next to this marker); Tunnell-West House (a few steps from this marker); Cecile Steele's Chicken House (a few steps from this marker); Hall's Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Coastal Towns Museum (about 400 feet away); Ocean View Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mariner’s Bethel United Methodist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ocean View.

Also see . . . Delaware's Growing Poultry Industry. WHYY website article (Submitted on July 9, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 11, 2010

2. Ocean View Delaware Marker

This is a photo of the marker prior to being repainted or replaced.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 16, 2022

3. Ocean View Delaware Marker

Ocean View Delaware Marker, at left, when it was located at the Town Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 11, 2010

4. Ocean View Delaware Marker, at left, when it was located at the Town Hall

Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,807 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 18, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on October 23, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3. submitted on September 18, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on October 23, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.