Marker Logo
THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Fenwick Island in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Mason and Dixon Line-Survey Start

 
 
Mason and Dixon Line-Survey Start Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Don Morfe, October 1, 1998
1. Mason and Dixon Line-Survey Start Marker
Inscription. This is the marker from which Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon started the survey for the famous Mason-Dixon Line that separates Delaware from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

This marker was settled in 1750 by John Emory and Thomas Jones, both of Maryland, and John Watson and William Parson, both of Pennsylvania. It was to separate the lower three colonies of Pennsylvania (which later became the state of Delaware) from the state of Maryland.

You will notice on the south side (facing you) the crest of Lord Baltimore, while the opposite side is the crest of William Penn.
 
Erected by Oliver and Rachel Cropper.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Landmarks. A significant historical year for this entry is 1750.
 
Location. 38° 27.079′ N, 75° 3.297′ W. Marker is on Fenwick Island, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is on Lighthouse Road. This marker is on the grounds of the Fenwick Island Lighthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fenwick Island DE 19944, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Delaware’s Beaches. It is also 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Transpeninsular Line (here, next to this marker); The Fenwick Island Lighthouse (here, next to this marker); Australia (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Eastern End of Transpeninsular Line Between Maryland and Three Lower Counties of Pennsylvania

Paid Advertisement
Click or scan to see
this page online
(about 800 feet away in Maryland); Fiesta City Park (approx. 0.4 miles away in Maryland); Sam Wilkinson (1994 - 2003) (approx. 1.2 miles away in Maryland); Northside Park Military Flag Plaza & Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away in Maryland); The Evolution of Paradise Shores & York Beach (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fenwick Island.
 
Other markers no longer nearby. The History of the Lighthouse (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Fenwick Island Lighthouse (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
 
Mason and Dixon Line-Survey Start Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Don Morfe, October 1, 1998
2. Mason and Dixon Line-Survey Start Marker
Crest of Lord Baltimore image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Don Morfe, October 1, 1998
3. Crest of Lord Baltimore
Crest of William Penn image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Don Morfe, October 1, 1998
4. Crest of William Penn
Fenwick Island Lighthouse image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Don Morfe, October 1, 1998
5. Fenwick Island Lighthouse
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,084 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 20, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
m=95336

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisement
Jun. 19, 2026