Minquadale near Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Community of Dunleith

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, January 18, 2016

1. The Community of Dunleith Marker

Inscription. The Federal Housing Act of 1949 established a goal of “a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family.” However, a segregated housing market put this goal beyond the reach of African American veterans. In that year, Delaware Community Homes Inc. purchased a tract of land from members of the du Pont family through the Rogers Trust. The property, released specifically for the construction of Dunleith Estates in 1950-1951, was the first subdivision in suburban New Castle County to offer new housing to African American veterans. Dunleith was named after the nearby du Pont mansion. The streets in Dunleith were named for prominent African American persons or institutions. Two local churches, Coleman Memorial Methodist Church and Community Presbyterian Church were established in the neighborhood during the 1950s to serve residents’ spiritual needs. In addition, the Dunleith Community School was completed in 1957. It not only served the educational needs of local African American students in grades K thru 9, but was also the center for many recreational activities until 1970. Dunleith was a truly blended

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community, where families of all socio-economic levels lived, worshipped, were educated and played in harmony.

Erected 2010 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-188.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.

Location. 39° 42.337′ N, 75° 33.219′ W. Marker is near Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Minquadale. It is at the intersection of Anderson Drive and Bethune Drive on Anderson Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 470 Anderson Dr, New Castle DE 19720, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Philadelphia.

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

and also

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, January 18, 2016

2. The Community of Dunleith Marker

one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Crane Hook Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Delaware River and Bay Authority Vietnam Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away); Delaware Memorial Bridge (approx. ¾ mile away); Delaware - Desert Shield / Desert Storm Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away); Wounded Combat Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Delaware River and Bay Authority Veterans Dedication (approx. 0.8 miles away); Delaware & New Jersey WWII Submariners Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away).

Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,142 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 19, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.