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

First Rural Free Delivery Route

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 9, 2010

1. First Rural Free Delivery Route Marker

Inscription. For many years the National Grange and other organizations interested in the welfare of citizens residing in rural areas advocated the establishment of rural free delivery of mail. In October 1896, the Post Office Department introduced experimental rural delivery in West Virginia. The new service was favorably received, and by June of the following year there were forty-four routes in operation in twenty-nine states.

On October 3, 1898, rural free delivery of mail in Delaware was initiated with the formal establishment of a route originating in Harrington. Joseph G. Peckham was appointed to serve as carrier for the circuit, with an annual salary of $300. The route was seventeen and one quarter miles in length. Approximately 600 families were served.

The establishment of the rural free delivery service resulted in the elimination of many small rural post offices. In 1902 alone, twenty-nine were closed in Delaware. By 1938, some 23,000 offices had been discontinued throughout the United States since the introduction of rural delivery.

Erected 1998 by The Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number K-61.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. In addition, it is included

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in the Delaware Public Archives, and the Postal Mail and Philately series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1896.

Location. 38° 55.421′ N, 75° 34.678′ W. Marker is in Harrington, Delaware, in Kent County. It is in Mispillion Hundred. It is at the intersection of Commerce Street and Clark Street, on the right when traveling north on Commerce Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harrington DE 19952, 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Clark's Corner (within shouting distance of this marker); Harrington Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal Church (about 600 feet away); St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Delaware State Fair (approx. 0.9 miles away); Harrington (approx. 0.9 miles away); Town of Farmington (approx. 3.7 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrington.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 9, 2010

2. First Rural Free Delivery Route Marker

First Rural Free Delivery Route Marker, Harrington Post Office image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 9, 2010

3. First Rural Free Delivery Route Marker, Harrington Post Office

at the intersection of Commerce Street and Clark Street

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,135 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 4, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.