Georgetown Hundred in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Georgetown Train Station

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010

1. Georgetown Train Station Marker

Inscription. In 1857 efforts to extend a rail line from Harrington to the harbor at Lewes were initiated. Though the line was completed to Milford in 1859, additional work was delayed until 1867. By 1868 the rails had reached Georgetown. With extension of the railway to Lewes the following year, and the addition of connections to the Rehoboth resort and the lower Eastern Shore in the 1870s, the Delmarva Peninsula experienced a period of unprecedented prosperity. Located at the hub of this network, Georgetown was transformed by a growing population and booming economy. The town’s first passenger station was located immediately north of this site. By the 1880s, a steady increase in the number of travelers had resulted in the need for a newer and larger facility. In response to this demand, the construction of the present station was completed in 1892. For many years the station bustled with activity. By the mid 20th century, road improvements and the growing use of automobiles and trucks led to a declining market for railroad services. Though the shipment of freight would continue, passenger service was ended in the spring of 1949. The

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Georgetown station served as an office for various railway functions until it was sold in 1972. The building was vacant when it was purchased by the Historic Georgetown Association in 1996. An extensive project to restore the exterior of the building to its original appearance was undertaken, and with the completion of the renovation of the interior in 2003, this historic structure was returned to its role as a center for the economic and social life of the community.

Erected 2004 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-193.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.

Location. 38° 41.596′ N, 75° 23.156′ W. Marker is in Georgetown, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Georgetown Hundred. It can be reached from Layton Avenue one mile Depot Street. Marker is on the northwest wall of the train station. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Georgetown DE 19947, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in

Georgetown Train Station Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010

2. Georgetown Train Station Sign

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 walking distance of this marker: Wesley United Methodist (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Academy / Masonic Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Georgetown Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); “Pettijohn’s Old Field” (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sussex County Korean War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Women's Suffrage in Delaware (approx. 0.2 miles away); W.W.I (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chad E. Spicer (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Georgetown.

Georgetown Train Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010

3. Georgetown Train Station

Georgetown Train Station repairs from May 2011 fire damages image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 18, 2011

4. Georgetown Train Station repairs from May 2011 fire damages

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Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 949 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 3, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 4. submitted on November 18, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.