Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Quarantine Station

Lewes Maritime History Trail

Photographed by Nate Davidson, December 31, 2010

1. Quarantine Station Marker

Inscription.
In 1880, the fear that foreigners were bringing epidemic diseases to the United States led the federal government to create the National Quarantine System. Around the country, from stations like the one that was here, doctors were dispatched to board arriving ships to examine the passengers, sending the sick ashore for treatment or observation.

All that's left of the Delaware Breakwater Quarantine Station today are a few ruins. But from 1884 to 1916 it was a busy community where thousands of immigrants, medical personnel, and staff were housed. The station included separate men's and women's hospitals and a ward for contagious cases. There were also staff quarters, a disinfecting house, a boathouse, a flag house for signaling ships, a stable, two tanks for drinking water, a commissary, a blacksmith shop, a crematorium, and a cemetery.

There is no official count of people examined and treated by the station, but estimates exceed 200,000.

Erected by City of Lewes. (Marker Number 10.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location.

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38° 47.167′ N, 75° 6.086′ W. Marker is in Lewes, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Cape Henlopen State Park. It can be reached from Coastal Highway (U.S. 9), on the right. Located near the fishing pier within Cape Henlopen State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lewes DE 19958, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Delaware’s Beaches.

It is also 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, 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: German Submarine at Cape Henlopen (here, next to this marker); William J. Hopkins (within shouting distance of this marker); Delaware Breakwater Quarantine Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery Hunter (approx. 0.7 miles away); Senator

Photographed by John Miller, August 7, 2019

2. Quarantine Station Marker

There is no marker at the indicated location, opposite the "German Submarine" marker.

David B. McBride (approx. 0.7 miles away); Standing Guard (approx. ¾ mile away); Fort Miles Historical Area (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Miles Historical Area (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewes.

Additional commentary.
1. Ruins of the Quarantine Station
Ruins are visible from the location of the "Delaware Breakwater Quarantine Station" marker (#39387), beyond the pavilion to the right of the tackle shop. Photos are posted for that marker.

— Submitted August 11, 2019, by John Miller of Rising Sun, Maryland.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,128 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 1, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. 2. submitted on August 11, 2019, by John Miller of Rising Sun, Maryland. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.