Little Creek Hundred in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Old Stone Tavern
Though never a tavern, it is built of stone
Photographed by Nate Davidson, December 17, 2011
1. Old Stone Tavern Marker
Stone is a rare material on this coastal plain, so when you find three stone buildings in one small area, there has to be a reason. The reason is that the same person, Manlove Hayes, built them all. Hayes built the house now known as the Stone Tavern some time before 1829 for Henry Bell, whose family had owned the lot since the mid-18th century. Hayes, who ran the shipping industry in Little Creek, is also credited with building the two other stone buildings: the Octagonal Schoolhouse, which still stands, and York Seat, which has been demolished.
Though the original owners did own a tavern down the road, this house never was a tavern and the name is a mystery. It is owned today by the Division of Parks and Recreation
Erected 2010 by Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1829.
Location. 39° 9.842′ N, 75° 26.817′ W. Marker has been reported unreadable. Marker is in Little Creek, Delaware, in Kent County. It is in Little Creek Hundred. It is on Main Street (Delaware Route 9) just north of County Route 346. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Little Creek DE 19961, 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
this page online
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 24, 2025
2. Old Stone Tavern Marker
Unfortunately, the marker has weathered significantly and is no longer readable.
Photographed by Nate Davidson, December 17, 2011
3. Old Stone Tavern
Photographed by Nate Davidson, December 17, 2011
4. Tavern Side View
Photographed by Nate Davidson, December 17, 2011
5. Stone Outbuilding behind main structure
Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,010 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 17, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. 2. submitted on May 24, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 17, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
