North Murderkill Hundred in Wyoming in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Coming of the Railroad

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, December 15, 2010

1. Coming of the Railroad Marker

Inscription. Efforts to establish rail transportation in Delaware were realized in 1832 with the completion of the New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad connecting shipping traffic on the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River. The promise of railroads was clearly demonstrated, and in 1836 the General Assembly chartered the Delaware Railroad for the purpose of building a line from a junction with the New Castle and Frenchtown to the southern border of the state. Due to poor economic conditions construction was delayed until the 1850s. Tracks were extended to this location by early 1856, finally reaching the state line in December 1859. With the culmination of this effort and the subsequent construction of connections with other parts of Delmarva, an era of unprecedented economic prosperity was initiated. New communities such as Wyoming were founded, growing rapidly as a result of agricultural and industrial expansion. With the creation of this new system for transporting people and goods to and from distant locations and the urban centers of the nation, the lives of the peninsula residents were forever changed.

Erected 2006 by Delaware

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Public Archives. (Marker Number KC-99.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1859.

Location. 39° 7.124′ N, 75° 33.524′ W. Marker is in Wyoming, Delaware, in Kent County. It is in North Murderkill Hundred. It is on Railroad Avenue close to Camden-Wyoming Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Camden Wyoming DE 19934, 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, 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: Town of Wyoming (a few steps from this marker); Caesar Rodney School District (approx.

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, December 15, 2010

2. Coming of the Railroad Marker

0.3 miles away); Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Camden Friends Meeting (approx. 0.7 miles away); John Hunn (approx. 0.7 miles away); Site of Whatcoat Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Morning Star Institutional Church of God in Christ, Inc. (approx. 0.9 miles away); Gov. George Truitt Home (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wyoming.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 836 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 9, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.