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

The Delaware Railroad

Photographed by F. Robby, December 8, 2007

1. The Delaware Railroad Marker

Inscription. From the earliest days of rail construction in this country, the advantages of linking the Delmarva Peninsula to the expanding urban markets of the nation were obvious. 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 Railroad in the north to the southern border of the state. After a long delay due to poor economic conditions, construction commenced in 1854. On December 11, 1856, a large crowd gathered here for the formal opening of the line to the banks of the Nanticoke River. With connections via the river to the Chesapeake Bay, and links to trade with the South, the tiny village of Seaford experienced a period of unprecedented growth and expansion. Tracks were extended to the state line in 1859, and in 1884 the dream of uniting Delaware with the peninsular portions of Maryland and Virginia was realized when the rails finally reached the shores of Cape Charles, Virginia. For many years to come, the railroad would bring economic prosperity to Seaford and the surrounding region.

Erected 2007 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-218.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.

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In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 11, 1856.

Location. 38° 38.397′ N, 75° 36.89′ W. Marker is in Seaford, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is at the intersection of High Street and Cedar Avenue, on the right when traveling east on High Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Seaford DE 19973, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Mid-Atlantic

and on the Delmarva Peninsula.

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: Old Seaford Post Office (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hiram Lodge No. 21 A.F&A.M. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Seaford Fire Department (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mount Olivet United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. John's United Methodist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Town of Blades (approx. 0.3 miles away); Gateway to Freedom: The Tilly Escape (approx. 0.3 miles away); Governor William H. H. Ross (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seaford.

Also see . . .
1. Rails Along The Chesapeake: A History of Railroading on the Delmarva Peninsula 1827 - 1978. Book by John C. Hayman available on Amazon.com (Submitted on May 7, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.

2. Rails Along The Chesapeake. Book by Anne Tufts available on Amazon.com (Submitted on May 7, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.

3. Eastern Shore Railroad (VA) (Images of Rail). (Submitted on October 15, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.

The Delaware Railroad image. Click for full size.

Photographed by F. Robby, December 8, 2007

2. The Delaware Railroad

Looking south along the tracks at the Seaford Station in the distance. This section of track is called The Delmarva Secondary. It has been operated by several railroads including - but not limited to - the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Penn Central Railroad and the Southern Railway. Trains are currently operated by the Norfolk Southern Railway. Rail passenger service ended in the early 1960s.

The Seaford Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0)

3. The Seaford Station

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,991 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 6, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on August 24, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A picture of the junction with the Maryland and Delaware Railroad line to Federalsburg and Cambridge (assuming that the MD & DE still exists). • Can you help?