Historical Markers and War Memorials in New Castle, Delaware
Wilmington is the county seat for New Castle County
New Castle is in New Castle County
New Castle County(835) ► ADJACENT TO NEW CASTLE COUNTY Kent County(266) ► Cecil County, Maryland(184) ► Kent County, Maryland(101) ► Gloucester County, New Jersey(55) ► Salem County, New Jersey(116) ► Chester County, Pennsylvania(459) ► Delaware County, Pennsylvania(283) ►
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Built in 1923 with funding provided by Pierre S. duPont for schools in Delaware, this school replaced New Castle’s first school for “colored” students that was built in 1867 on Williams Street. The Delaware School Auxiliary Association provided . . . — — Map (db m92290) HM
Built in 1845 by John M. Clayton (1796-1856) Secretary of State in President Taylor's cabinet. He also served Delaware as U.S. Senator, jurist and Secretary of State. He drafted the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty, which eventually guaranteed that the Panama . . . — — Map (db m146605) HM
Sacred
To the memory of
My beloved Husband
Capt. John Evans.
Of 2nd Reg. Del. Vols.
After having distinguished himself
at the Battles of Gains Mills [sic],
Savage Station, Peach Orchard,
White Oak, Malvern Hill,
Antietam, . . . — — Map (db m102551) HM WM
The Delaware River, a mighty highway of commerce, has also been a formidable barrier to travel. Ferries operated sporadically from New Castle from very early days. Modern ferry service didn't begin until 1925 to meet the increasing needs of . . . — — Map (db m191495) HM
Desert Shield • Desert Storm
A tribute to all members of the United States Armed Forces who gallantly and courageously performed their duties during the Desert Shield Operation and the Desert Storm War Action in Kuwait-Iraq and Saudi . . . — — Map (db m146110) WM
Left Side of Marker
U.S. Submarine Veterans
World War II
52 United States Submarines
On Eternal Patrol
U.S. Navy Submarines Paid Heavily for their success in World War II.
374 Officers and 3131 Men are on board these . . . — — Map (db m146109) WM
Delaware Memorial Bridge
1951 - 1968
South Span Dedicated August 18, 1951
North Span Dedicated September 12, 1968
Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey dedicated these Bridges on September 12, 1968 to the Men and Women of the State . . . — — Map (db m146111) HM WM
In Memory of Vietnam War Dead
Dedicated to those from Delaware and New Jersey who made the Supreme Sacrifice in the Service of their Country — — Map (db m68262) WM
The original landing was started during the 17th century of stone filled wood cribs, being enlarged several times. The city acquired ownership from the New Castle Frenchtown Railroad Co. in 1914, and rebuilt the wharf with a concrete face on new . . . — — Map (db m57133) HM
Built in 1732 as the statehouse for Pennsylvania's "Three Lower Counties on the Delaware," the New Castle Court House was the scene of a dramatic vote on June 15, 1776 when the colonial assembly declared independence from both Great Britain and . . . — — Map (db m102546) HM
Fort Casimir was built by the Dutch in 1651 and recaptured by them from the Swedes, 1655. Site now lies beneath the Delaware 250 feet E.N.E. from this stone which is erected by the Delaware Society of the Colonial Dames of America, 1905, to . . . — — Map (db m57130) HM
In the mid-1600s this site was the focal point of a three-nation struggle for control of the Delaware River. Dutch military leaders recognized the strategic importance of this place in controlling river traffic in 1651 and established a fort here. . . . — — Map (db m130462) HM
These stones were sleepers in the New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad. Completed in 1831. The first railroad in Delaware and one of the first in the United States. — — Map (db m25531) HM
"You will be the first officer of the Corps to hold the rank of General - the highest rank in our Armed Forces. I know of no other officer to whom that distinction more fittingly belongs."
- Secretary of the U.S. Navy, 1944
On December 1, 1936, . . . — — Map (db m57127) HM
born A.D. 1732 Died 21st September 1798 Member of the Congress of the Revolution. The Convention that framed the Constitution of the U. S. and of The first Senate under it. Judge of admiralty President and Chief Justice of Delaware and a signer of . . . — — Map (db m54693) HM
Built about 1760. Home of Gunning Bedford, eleventh governor of Delaware, born 1742. Lieut-Col. in Haslet's Delaware Regiment. Wounded in Battle of White Plains 1776. Presidential Elector 1788. Also home of Caleb P. Bennett, twenty-ninth governor of . . . — — Map (db m25558) HM
Rear of house built in seventeenth century. Main building built after 1738 by Dr. John Finney. Home of Nicholas Van Dyke, seventh Governor of Delaware. The marriage of Ann Van Dyke to Kensey Johns, Sr. took place here April 24, 1784. George . . . — — Map (db m152614) HM
Site of home of George Read. Born September 18, 1733. Died September 21, 1798. Member of The Congress of the Revolution. The convention that framed The Constitution of The United States, and of the first senate under it. Judge of Admiralty, . . . — — Map (db m25560) HM
Former owners of the Read House, their home for fifty-five years. They were longtime benefactors of New Castle doing much to encourage and promote the preservation and architectural beauty of this colonial town. — — Map (db m54697) HM
Near here October 27, 1682, William Penn first stepped on American soil. He proceeded to the fort and performed Livery of Seisin. “He took the key, thereof,…we did deliver unto him 1 turf with a twig upon it, a porringer with river water and . . . — — Map (db m156292) HM
Here lie the remains of
Mary Wansey
Wife of George Wansey
of Towanda, Bradford Co., Pa.
She died at Sea Aug. 8th. 1842
on her return from Italy
aged 37 years. — — Map (db m102550) HM
Wounded in Battle
of Lake Ontario May 28th
Died at Kingston Canada
May 30th 1813 aged 26 years
[Also on monument]
John Stockton
Born 1755, Died Oct. 29, 1822
An Officer of the Revolution.
Thomas Stockton
Born April 4, 1781 . . . — — Map (db m102608) WM
In 1854, a Methodist Society was organized in the African American community in New Castle. Not long after the society's inception, the group adopted the name Mount Salem Methodist Church and purchased land on which to build a church. Mount Salem's . . . — — Map (db m94193) HM
New Castle has a long history as a national transportation link. In the 1820s a turnpike connected ships on the Delaware River with ships on the Chesapeake Bay. However, the turnpike was in poor condition. Progressive town leaders saw . . . — — Map (db m102543) HM
Built 1832. One of first railroads in country. Extended from this point to Frenchtown on the Elk River. Important connecting link between the North and South. Absorbed by Delaware Railroad 1856. — — Map (db m3549) HM
This land is part of a tract of one thousand acres set apart by William Penn in 1701 for the inhabitants of the town of New Castle. Trustees were appointed and incorporated by Penn’s heirs in 1764, whose successors still hold and manage the land. — — Map (db m3212) HM
New Castle Historic District
has been designated a
Registered National
Historic Landmark
under the provisions of the
Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935
This site possesses exception value
in commemorating or illustrating
the . . . — — Map (db m64763) HM
This imaginative 1857 painting by Edward Moran depicts New Castle Harbor at its height. The fishing boat (right center) represents New Castle's critical fishing industry. The tall-masted U.S. Navy brig to its left demonstrations the national . . . — — Map (db m191496) HM
History (circa 1657) reflects that two hundred Italians from the Piedmont region may have immigrated to New Amstel (New Castle) via Holland and New Amsterdam (New York) little is known of his group, Not until the late nineteenth century did . . . — — Map (db m246130) HM
The origin of Methodism in this community can be traced to the years prior to the American Revolution, when pioneering clergymen such as Thomas Webb and Francis Asbury visited here to spread the message of their faith. Due to the predominance of . . . — — Map (db m54700) HM
Packet boats from Philadelphia met stage coaches here for Frenchtown, Maryland, chief line of communication from North to Baltimore and South. Andrew Jackson, David Crockett, Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, Lord Ashburton, Sam Houston, Louis Napoleon, . . . — — Map (db m25559) HM
The 112-acre Penn Farm is the last surviving farm of the 1,068-acre New Castle Common. William Penn, Proprietor and Governor of Pennsylvania, made his warrant in writing under his hand and seal in October 1701, granting the New Castle Common . . . — — Map (db m128897) HM
Founded as a Dutch Reformed Church, 1657. The first building was on the Strand end of the church lot. This church was one of 7 which organized the first Presbytery in America in 1706. Present brick meeting house was built 1707. — — Map (db m122259) HM
In 1797 the foundation of George Read II's mansion was laid only feet from his statesman father's home on a busy New Castle street. By 1805 the stylish Federal period house towered over its neighbors. A fire claimed the home of George Read I, as . . . — — Map (db m54704) HM
John Aicken • Archibald Alexander • Gov. Gunning Bedford
John Bird • James Booth, Sr. • James Carter
The Rev. Robert Clay • Thomas Clay • William Clay
Dr. Mark Elliot • Stephen Gilbert • Isaac Grantham
John Hall • William Hazlett • Joseph . . . — — Map (db m102564) WM
In 1857 New Castle County constructed a new prison complex on this site. Designed by famous Philadelphia architect, Samuel Sloan, the facility had two parts. The Sheriff's House (seen at left in this 1893 photo) provided a roomy residence for the . . . — — Map (db m102541) HM
An airfield, aircraft plant, and service hangar were built here in 1928 by Giuseppe Mario Bellanca and Henry B. duPont. An aviation pioneer, Bellanca immigrated from Italy in 1912. His plane Columbia was Charles Lindbergh's choice for a . . . — — Map (db m14133) HM
One hundred feet to the East of this point is the site of Fort Casimir. Erected by Dutch in 1651. Taken by Swedes 1654, called Fort Trafaldigheets or Trinity, retaken by Dutch under Petrus Stuyvesant in person September 11, 1655. — — Map (db m130334) HM
The first house constructed by Guido DeAscanis in 1932. Guido was born in San Omero, Italy in 1900 and arrived in America on July 4, 1920. He founded Guido DeAscanis & Sons, Inc. in 1933. They went on to build many homes and buildings to enhance the . . . — — Map (db m174446) HM
Laid out by Petrus Stuyvesant, Dutch Governor, 1655. On this green stood the old jail and gallows. Here were held the great fairs and weekly markets from early times. — — Map (db m3423) HM
This monument is dedicated to the immigrants who came to New Castle from Italy starting in the late 1890s. They came primarily from the Abruzzo Region which is located on the Adriatic east from Rome. Residing for the most part on the west side of . . . — — Map (db m246127) HM
The Old Library was designed by Philadelphia architect, Frank Furness, and built by the New Castle Library Company in 1892.
The Library Company, chartered in 1812, had housed its collection of classics and law books in the Academy (built in 1799) . . . — — Map (db m102549) HM
Portion of the early cart road laid out by Augustine Herrman, Lord of Bohemia Manor to connect his Maryland estate with Appoquinimink Creek and the Town of New Castle. Known as the “The Old Man’s Road”, this was one of the earliest links . . . — — Map (db m152613) HM
Built about 1820 by Senator Nicholas Van Dyke. The marriage of Dorcas Van Dyke to Charles I. DuPont took place here Oct. 6, 1824. At this wedding the Marquis de LaFayette was a guest, and gave the bride in marriage. — — Map (db m57131) HM
Erected in grateful memory
of the men of this community
who gave their lives in defense
of freedom
Reuben J. Dunn •
John L. Cassidy •
Frank J. Cox •
John L. Sullivan •
John W. Megginson Jr. •
Anthony F. Marcozzi •
Charles F. . . . — — Map (db m130463) WM
Women munitions workers at former Bethlehem Steel Plant south of here jailed in Washington DC protesting for women's suffrage 1917-1919. — — Map (db m211090) HM
On the 26th Day of October 1682, William Penn the great proprietor on his first landing in America here proclaimed his government, and received from the commissioners of the Duke of York the key of the fort and turf twig and water as symbols of his . . . — — Map (db m191494) HM
In 1919 a school was established in the Buttonwood Methodist Church to serve the needs of “colored” students in the growing neighborhood. The first teacher was James Matthew Coulbourne. In 1926 a new one room school housing grades 1-8 was built here . . . — — Map (db m92291) HM
First chartered by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania as Lodge No. 33 on April 3, 1781. Early meetings were held alternately at Christiana Bridge and New Castle. This was one of four Lodges whose representatives gathered in Wilmington on June 6 and 7, . . . — — Map (db m156139) HM
On February 24, 1959 George, Lucille, and Geraldine Rayfield, an African American family, moved into their new home at 107 Bellanca Lane. As they moved in 300 protesters gathered out front, angered over the news that the Rayfields had moved into the . . . — — Map (db m130574) HM
Built in 1667, Crane Hook Church was located one mile east of here on what is now Pigeon Point Road. The Church took its name from the land located between here and the Delaware River. Under Dutch leadership, this area was colonized by the Swedes . . . — — Map (db m67354) HM
The Rise of Delaware's Railroads
The 19th century saw railroad expansion all over the country. In Delaware, railroads connected New Castle County and Wilmington to points north, south and west. Yet, the need for a direct line between New . . . — — Map (db m168198) HM
