Near Seaford in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Hardscrabble

Photographed By Nate Davidson, December 31, 2010

1. Hardscrabble Marker

Inscription. The term "Hardscrabble" was created during the 1700s when two men of Irish extraction engaged in a rough fight where Sussex 473 and 446 cross. The skirmish ended in a stalemate, even when the first structured store was built in 1895 by Garrison Messick. The Hardscrabble tradition would continue as boys would compete to put each other in the store's flour barrell on Saturday nights. The store was torn down in 1940 by Ashua and Creston Messick.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.

Location. 38° 37.167′ N, 75° 29′ W. Marker is near Seaford, Delaware, in Sussex County. Marker is on Messick Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14880 Messick Rd, Seaford DE 19973, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Asbury United Methodist Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); Epworth Cemetery (approx. 1.8 miles away); Concord United Methodist Church (approx. 4 miles away); Pilot Town (approx. 4½ miles away); Nathaniel Mitchell (approx. 5 miles away); Old Christ Church (approx. 5 miles away); a different marker also named Nathaniel Mitchell (approx. 5 miles away); Cokesbury Church (approx. 5 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seaford.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2010, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. This page has been viewed 981 times since then and 79 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on December 31, 2010, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.