Near Bellefonte in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Cauffiel House and Estate
a country home on the river
Once the summer home of a prosperous Wilmington businessman and his family, the Cauffiel House has changed little since it was built in the late 1920s. The colonial style brick house still looks down to the Delaware River over land that was farmed for more than 350 years. Today, both the house and the land are part of Bellevue State Park.
A house with a view…to the past
In 1910, Daniel Cauffiel, real estate advisor to T. Coleman duPont, purchased this land for a summerhouse to share with his wife and seven children. At first, the Cauffiels traveled out to the estate by trolley from their home in Wilmington. The farmhouse they stayed in is now gone, but the barns and a distinctive water tower still stand. Nearby is the handsome colonial revival house the Cauffiels had built in the 1920s.
A home preserved
We owe the preservation of this home and land to the Cauffiel family. When their parents died in the early 1930s, two of the Cauffiel children continued to live in the house until their deaths in the early 1990s. DeWitt and Luella kept the home and land virtually unchanged for more than sixty years.
A house with a view…to the future
The State of Delaware purchased the Cauffiel House and land in 1993, as an addition to Bellevue State Park. Since then, the house has been renovated for use as a conference center.
The land, with its wide, rolling lawns and tall shade trees is ideal for picnics. The greenway trail invites visitors to explore the area's history.
Colonial Revival
The Colonial Revival style, inspired by the stately homes of early America and the young United States, was popular in the first decades of the 20th century. This style is known for its use of classical ornamentation, based on Greek and Roman designs.
The Cauffiel House is a fine example of the Colonial Revival style. Inside, the painted wainscoting, folding glass doors separating the living and dining rooms from the center hallway, and imported tiles in its five bathrooms, combines traditional design with modern comforts.
Erected by Delaware State Parks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Delaware State Parks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.
Location. 39° 46.567′ N, 75° 29.083′ W. Marker is near Bellefonte, Delaware, in New Castle County. Marker can be reached from Cauffiel Parkway south of Philadelphia Pike (Business U.S. 13), on the left when
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 10, 2024
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A pathway through the past (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Cauffiel House and Estate (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mount Pleasant Methodist Episcopal (ME) Church and Parsonage (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mount Pleasant Methodist Episcopal Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bellevue Hosts Tennis Championships (approx. half a mile away); William duPont, Jr. (approx. half a mile away); Margaret Osborne duPont (approx. half a mile away); Mount Pleasant School (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bellefonte.
Also see . . . The Cauffiel House. Delaware State Parks offers additional information, history and photos of the house and state park. (Submitted on January 15, 2011.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,490 times since then and 64 times this year. Last updated on July 10, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on January 15, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. 2. submitted on February 11, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on January 15, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. 4. submitted on July 10, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide area view of the marker and its surroundings. • Photo of the barn and water tower. • Can you help?