Nanticoke Hundred near Seaford in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Hardscrabble

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 5, 2024

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. It is in Nanticoke Hundred. It 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.

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,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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 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); Mt. Calvary African Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 4.4 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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seaford.

Hardscrabble, Delaware image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 5, 2024

2. Hardscrabble, Delaware

The marker is located near the intersection of Hardscrabble Road and County Seat Highway.

Nothing Better image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 5, 2024

3. Nothing Better

The marker is located in the parking lot of a restaurant named Nothing Better. Before it was a restaurant, it was the Messick Supply Store, a reference to the family described in the marker.

Photographed by Nate Davidson, December 31, 2010

4. Hardscrabble Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2010, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,718 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 19, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. 4. submitted on December 31, 2010, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.