W.H. Miller House
is listed in the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
c. Late-19th Century
— — Map (db m174840) HM
W.H. Miller Rental Property
is listed in the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
c. Mid-19th Century
— — Map (db m174841) HM
Webb-Jefferson
House
is listed in the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
c. 1830-1850 — — Map (db m174831) HM
These buildings and dam complex were once pan of the community of Rockland, built over 200 years ago on the banks of the Brandywine River. The Brandywine supplied water power to the Rockland Mill and a dozen others in the Wilmington region. . . . — — Map (db m184946) HM
A community of free African American, known as Charley Town, was located here by the mid-19th century. Between 1845 and 1855 brothers Samuel and John Townsend purchased several large tracts of farmland in the vicinity. The Delaware Railroad arrived . . . — — Map (db m141455) HM
In 1684, William Penn deeded this property to Adam Stedham, who built a small two-room stone house on the land. Stedham's son, William, expanded the house into the Crooked Billet Tavern in 1702. George Washington and his troops stopped at the tavern . . . — — Map (db m243658) HM
On this site in 1803-1804 Eleuthère Irénée du Pont planted a small garden reminiscent of the formal gardens at Bois-des-Fossés, the du Pont family home in France. By 1826 the garden had expanded to more than two acres and contained both common . . . — — Map (db m231927) HM
[1st plaque]
Eleutherian Mills
This is Eleutherian Mills, where E.I. du Pont built his home in 1803. Here also is the restoration of E.I. du Pont's garden, as well as a workshop, vehicle and weather vane exhibits in the Barn,
and the . . . — — Map (db m213322) HM
Named for its location on a curve of the Christina
River, Long Hook was home to several generations
of the Jaquett family. The first to settle in this
vicinity was Jean Paul Jaquett, a French Protestant
who served as Vice Director and Chief . . . — — Map (db m247437) HM
Willingtown Square honors Thomas Willing and the original name of the town he helped found in 1731. The four brick structures, built between 1748 and 1801, represent the types of houses common in early Willingtown. Buildings like these often . . . — — Map (db m165576) HM
A geological oddity
Many people call the huge rocks you see along this trail "blue granite" or "blue rock." This is because when they are broken, the fresh exposed rock is a brilliant blue color. Continued exposure to air soon gives them . . . — — Map (db m240819) HM
This property, now known as the Cauffiel Estate, was purchased in 1910 by Daniel Cauffiel, the chief real estate advisor to T. Coleman DuPont and the DuPont Company. Cauffiel bought this 44-acre estate as a summer home for his wife Elizabeth and . . . — — Map (db m226404) HM
The Swedes Landing Trail, which highlights “Wilmington’s Waterfront Heritage” theme reflects the maritime heritage of the first permanent Swedish settlement in the United States. The one mule trail includes land along the northern bank of the . . . — — Map (db m64625) HM
This Historic Trail links the historical, social, and cultural patterns of development in Wilmington. The commercial and residential structures along this trail recreate the vitality and historic importance of 17th and 18th-century Wilmington. The . . . — — Map (db m130469) HM
Born in Kent County June 1, 1745. A combat officer and director of Military Hospitals during the American Revolution. While a member of the Continental Congress 1783 ~ 1785, He urged that the Capitol of the United States be placed near this site. . . . — — Map (db m63184) HM
A black man named Anthony was among the first permanent settlers of New Sweden. He came to the colony from the West Indies in 1639 aboard the Swedish ship Vogel Grip. Records indicate that Black Anthony became a free man named Antoni Swart, an . . . — — Map (db m228037) HM
Fairfax Delaware, conceived & built by Alfred J. Vilone. One man's vision becomes security & happiness for thousands.
Dedicated in appreciation & esteem by members of his organization, December 18, 1951. — — Map (db m192438) HM
Forty Acres was established in 1864 as an early streetcar suburb of Wilmington. The area was once part of a larger land tract called Hope Farm. Joshua Heald purchased forty acres of the farm and developed the neighborhood and the first horse-drawn . . . — — Map (db m140542) HM
E. I. du Pont and other Brandywine mill owners built this school in 1817. E. I. du Pont's daughter, Victorine, taught at this nondenominational school for 40 years and served as its superintendent. About 150 children attended every Sunday morning . . . — — Map (db m231917) HM
The foremen of the Hagley Yard and their families lived in this house for more than 50 years, following its construction by the company in 1846. John Stewart and his family were photographed in front of the house in 1885, the year he succeeded . . . — — Map (db m231912) HM
The two sections of this springhouse were used by the Belin family, who lived in the frame house across the road, and by the Alexis I. du Pont family, whose large house called "Hagley" stood on the hill above the Gibbons House. The families . . . — — Map (db m231915) HM
Rows of attached three-story houses, called banks, were typical of workers' homes near the powder yards. These are foundations of such a bank which once adjoined the Gibbons House. The DuPont Company built the houses and rented them to . . . — — Map (db m231913) HM
Exiled from his native Poland for his part in its struggle for liberty. He came to this country formed the Pulaski Legion and gave his life in the war of American Independence — — Map (db m196561)
In observance of the Nation’s Bicentennial, this park by resolution of the city council of Wilmington was named
In Memory of
Tadeusz Kosciuszko
1746 ~ 1817
Colonel, Army of the United States
American Soldier
Major General, . . . — — Map (db m68371) HM
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, . . . — — Map (db m92289) HM
He was born in Sweden in 1658 and educated in London. On his way home from his duties in the Swedish Legation one evening in 1678, he was kidnapped and shipped to Virginia to serve five years as an indentured servant. Springer learned of the . . . — — Map (db m174895) HM
Born Halland, Sweden, Christiern first appears Old Swedes Church records in 1714. The daughter of Elizabeth Justis and Matthias Peterson, Maria descends from Måns and Brita Andersson who arrived on Kalmar Nyckel in 1640. Christiern and Maria . . . — — Map (db m174896) HM
These French families fled a slave insurrection in Santo Domingo in 1791 and relocated to Wilmington. Peter Bauduy helped convince his friend Éleuthère Irénée duPont to settle here, and was an early partner of duPont's.
Some members of these . . . — — Map (db m174910) HM
Originally it was one room with fireplace down stairs and a large bedroom above. The Hendricksons raised eight children in this house. It was enlarged later, and served as home to five generations of Hendricksons.
After many years of . . . — — Map (db m174858) HM
In 1638 a colony from Sweden landed at the Rocks nearby. There they built Fort Christina, worshiped therin until 1667 and then built a log church at Cranehook on South side of Christiana River. In 1698, inspired by their pastor, Eric Bjork, they . . . — — Map (db m11014) HM
Upon arrival from Sweden in 1697, Pastor Eric Björk began his quest to build a stone church to replace the decaying log structure on the south bank of the Christina River that had served the Swedish Lutheran congregation. Helga Trefaldighet . . . — — Map (db m174436) HM
The Stidhams were another prominent family in the early days of the New Sweden Colony and Old Swedes.
Dr. Tymen Stidham arrived on the fourth voyage of Kalmar Nyckel. He was the the first physician in this area. Much of the success and . . . — — Map (db m174847) HM
1638: Peter Minuit with a crew of Dutch sailors and Swedish soldiers, landed the Kalmar Nyckel and the Fogel Grip at a natural outcropping of rocks on the Minquas Kill. They named the river and the fort they built for Sweden's Queen . . . — — Map (db m174888) HM
Their ancestor became Lutheran, fled the Netherlands to avoid persecution, and settled on the Brandywine, calling his place "Vendever's Island."
In the presence of William Penn, Dr. Cornelius and Jacob Vandever became naturalized citizens in . . . — — Map (db m174905) HM
Job and Mary Jacobs built this house, the oldest in the square. It originally stood at 414 West Second Street in the Quaker Hill neighborhood.
The decorative brickwork gives the date of the house and the initials of the owners. The date is . . . — — Map (db m210788) HM
Willingtown Square honors Thomas Willing and the original name of the town he helped found in 1731. The four brick structures, built between 1731 and 1801, represent the types of houses common in early Willingtown. Buildings like these often . . . — — Map (db m210784) HM
A black man named Anthony was among the first permanent settlers of New Sweden. He came to the colony from the West Indies in 1639 aboard the Swedish ship Vogel Grip. Records indicate that Black Anthony became a free man named Antoni Swart, an . . . — — Map (db m228255) HM
The people of Sweden erected this monument to the memory of the first Swedish settlement on American soil and gave it in custody of the State of Delaware.
This monument was dedicated June 27th 1938 in the presence of the President . . . — — Map (db m174425) HM
In late 1637, the New Sweden Company sent out its first expedition to America to establish a Swedish presence in the New World. Sailing in two ships, the Kalmar Nyckel and the Fogel Grip, the expedition landed near this site in March . . . — — Map (db m228027) HM
The monument, designed and executed by the Swedish-American sculptor, Carl Milles, is an irregular hexagon of black Swedish granite. Bas reliefs show contacts between settlers and Indians, Queen Christina on horseback, Governor Johan Printz, the . . . — — Map (db m174429) HM
The park was created by the State of Delaware for the tercentenary in 1938. It was designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior March 29, 1963 in the presence of Prince Bertil of Sweden, Vice President Lyndon B. . . . — — Map (db m174432) HM
Founded by Swedes 1638 at Fort Christina, the first permanent settlement in Delaware River Valley. Called Altenae by Dutch 1655. Known as Willingtown 1730-1739. Incorporated as borough of Wilmington in 1739 and as city in 1832. Washington's . . . — — Map (db m19461) HM
Built in 1903 by William R. Errett, Pittsburgh, PA, one of the "Six First Families." Its original design has been maintained and is the only one of the first cottages still in the same family. — — Map (db m150144) HM
Bethel's recorded history began in 1683 as a land grant called Manlove's Grove. Kendal Lewis purchased portions of three land tracts. Manlove's Grove. Mitchell's Harbor and Job's lot, from George Mitchell in 1795 and named it Lewis' Wharf. A small . . . — — Map (db m245051) HM
Situated on the banks of the Nanticoke River, the town of Blades was first known as "Bladesville" and named for the Blades family. James Blades, an early railroad pioneer, purchased a tract of land which extended to present day High and Market . . . — — Map (db m138274) HM
Settled in 1684
by
Christopher Nutter
Through a land grant from Charles Calvert,
The third Lord Baron of Baltimore
Originally referred to as
"Attawattacoquin"
Later known as
"Bridge Branch"
until January 3, 1871, . . . — — Map (db m50178) HM
Detached from Northwest Fork Hundred by Act of General Assembly, 1869. Northwest Fork Hundred, originally claimed by Maryland, then embraced all territory west of Northwest Fork. Delaware obtained undisputed title in 1775, upon confirmation of Mason . . . — — Map (db m48997) HM
A patent for 1200 acres called Attawattacoquin, upon which the house and outbuildings stand, was granted in 1684 by Charles Calvert, 3rd Baron Baltimore, 2nd Proprietor and 6th and 9th Proprietary Governor of Maryland, to Christopher Nutter, a . . . — — Map (db m193782) HM
Prior to 1775 this hundred was claimed as part of
Worchester County, Maryland being named for Lord
Baltimore. After boundary line between Maryland
and Delaware was confirmed, Baltimore Hundred became
part of Sussex County, Delaware. — — Map (db m37404) HM
Settled at the site of a gristmill on Pepper Creek,
this village was originally known as Blackfoot
Town. The present name of the community is
derived from that of John Dagsworthy. A New
Jersey native who moved to this area in the
mid- 18th . . . — — Map (db m37239) HM
The Rev. Edward Dingle of England settled at Dagsboro, Del. Nov. 11, 1753, also built St. Martin's Church, Worcester Co. MD. 1756 completed 1759. He died 1763 and was buried with his wife under St. Martins pulpit as was the English custom. — — Map (db m190339) HM
The town of Delmar was established soon after the Delaware Railroad reached this area in 1859. Although fire devastated Delmar in 1892 and 1901, the town continued to build and grow. Incorporated on March 9, 1899, Delmar became known as the . . . — — Map (db m168192) HM
This area began as forest and swamp bridging
the Divide between the Chesapeake and Delaware
Bays. European Contact made it a province of
fur traders and hunters. In the 18th century,
farming and timbering pushed back the swamp.
With the . . . — — Map (db m37196) HM
The smallest, flattest and driest continent on earth is about the same size as the United States. Settled 200 Years ago by a contingent of outcasts and criminals from Great Britain, Australia is now populated by 16 million "ockers" and ten times . . . — — Map (db m206327) HM
Site of town purchased May 9, 1791 from Abraham Harris, Rowland Bevins,and Joshua Pepper, and laid out for county-seat of Sussex County in accordance with Act of General Assembly of January 29, 1791. Named
Georgetown in honor of George Mitchell, . . . — — Map (db m49083) HM
This site was originally part of a tract known as "Bachelor's Delight". From 1711 to 1768 it was included in a 3,000 acre Nanticoke Indian Reservation, authorized by an act of the Maryland Assembly. A village known as "Laurel" existed as early as . . . — — Map (db m4423) HM
From Ironworks to Gristmills
Many of the ponds in this area, including Trap Pond, were created in the late 1700s. The earliest dams were built to produce waterpower for ironworks. The waterpower ran bellows for furnaces that created iron . . . — — Map (db m198864) HM
In 1840, Israel United Methodist Church formed in the Belltown community west of Lewes. Israel established a cemetery in 1854 and formally incorporated in 1877. The congregation rebuilt the church in 1890 and again in 1916. Over time, the 1916 . . . — — Map (db m227870) HM
Here lived Ryves Holt, colonial chief justice; and four governors, David Hall, who commanded a Delaware regiment in the Revolution, Daniel Rodney and Caleb Rodney, sons of John Rodney, and Ebe W. Tunnell; also Colonel Henry Fisher, Revolutionary . . . — — Map (db m19409) HM
Under orders from Peter Stuyvesant the Dutch erected Fort at Hoorn Kil (Lewes Creek) 1659 but were soon dispossessed by the Marylanders. Here was also a communistic settlement established in 1662 by Mennonites from Holland under Peter Cornelius . . . — — Map (db m152856) HM
Commemorates the establishment of the first permanent European presence on the Delaware Bay
1631
In 1631, a group of settlers under David Pietersz de Vries landed near this spot to form a whale hunting station and agricultural . . . — — Map (db m38631) HM
• James Beebe purchased this property in 1838 from George Julius of Philadelphia, PA. James later sold it to George Beebe, who in turn sold it to Clarence Beebe.
• Some time between the years 1868 - 1891, this house was built, and in 1894 . . . — — Map (db m190353) HM
On north side of town was Zwaanendael, first Dutch settlement on Delaware soil. Founded 1631 on creek, named by settlers Hoorn Kil in honor of town of Hoorn in Holland. Colony was destroyed by Indians same year. DeVries, a director of company which . . . — — Map (db m19407) HM
Lewes began as a colony established by the Dutch West India Company in the spring of 1631. Twenty-eight men were sent to establish a whaling station, grow tobacco and engage in fur trade with Native Americans. It was the first European settlement in . . . — — Map (db m198895) HM
Under orders from Peter Stuyvesant the Dutch erected Fort At Hoorn Kil (Lewes Creek) 1659 but were soon dispossessed by the Marylanders. Here was also a communistic settlement established in 1662 by Mennonites from Holland under Peter Cornelis . . . — — Map (db m38194) HM
In this house lived Ryves Holt
Chief Justice
of “Three Lower Counties On Delaware,”
1745 to 1763
Member of Assembly
of “Three Lower Counties On Delaware,”
1734-1737, 1742-1744, 1746-1755,
And Speaker of Assembly . . . — — Map (db m221639) HM
The Zwaanendael Museum was built in 1931 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the first European settlement in Delaware. The building is a careful adaptation of the town hall in Hoorn, Holland which was constructed in 1613. Exhibits in the museum . . . — — Map (db m198896) HM
Originally known as Broadkill Hundred, after creek of that name, kill being Dutch work for creek. Name changed by General Assembly 1833 when Georgetown Hundred was set off. In 1835 Act was repealed, and Broadkiln Hundred embraced same territory as . . . — — Map (db m36881) HM
Town laid out by Joseph Oliver 1787. Village was located on tract then called "Saw-Mill Range". Named Milford from fording place near mill-dam erected by Rev. Sydenham Thorne across Mispillion Creek, 1787. First incorporated 1807. Old town in Kent . . . — — Map (db m38632) HM
Town laid out by Joseph Oliver 1787. Village was located on tract then called "Saw-Mill Range". Named Milford from fording place near mill-dam erected by Rev. Sydenham Thorne across Mispillion Creek, 1787. First incorporated 1807. Old town in Kent . . . — — Map (db m38638) HM
Welcome to Prime Hook Beach Horseshoe Crab Sanctuary
According to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Prime Hook is translated from the Dutch word "Priume Hoek" meaning Plum Point. Prime Hook was named by European settlers in the 17th . . . — — Map (db m244948) HM
In the ancient past Delaware was crossed by a network of Paths first forged by large animals and herds of buffalo migrating along the coast searching for food and salt deposits. The first settlers in this first state were The Nanticoke (Tidewater) . . . — — Map (db m245035) HM
In 1711, the Colony of Maryland authorized Colonel William Whittington to survey a tract of 1000 acres near this location for a reservation for the Indian River Indians, who ere remnant groups of the Assateague and Nanticoke Indians. The Indian . . . — — Map (db m190344) HM
Before Dutch control of what is now Sussex County. Native American Iwatama Socuum held "Long Reach," now Bullseye-Ferry Landing Preserve. After 1674, when the Dutch left, it was held by the Waples family and later, the Faucett family. In 1696, Peter . . . — — Map (db m245054) HM
So named in 1706. This hundred together with Lewes and Rehoboth, Broadkill, and Cedar Creek Hundreds, formed what the early settlers called “Old Sussex.” — — Map (db m48583) HM
Originally known as Cedar Hook Hundred. Before 1683 that part of hundred lying north of Cedar Creek formed part of St. Jones County, now Kent County. When Mispillion Creek was made northern boundary of Sussex County, the northern part of present . . . — — Map (db m36932) HM
Born in Milton on January 19, 1845, he was the son of merchant Robert H. Carey and his wife, Susan. Educated in local schools, he later attended Union College and received his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. An active supporter of . . . — — Map (db m37728) HM
Native Americans
Native Americans established the first human settlements on the Delmarva Peninsula about 12,000 years ago. They were drawn to the abundance of fish, shellfish, waterfowl, and other resources in the region. Native American . . . — — Map (db m244516) HM
Located at the head of the Broadkill River, Milton became an important point for the shipping of agricultural products during the 18th century. A thriving shipbuilding industry supported the growth of the community, with large numbers of vessels . . . — — Map (db m37125) HM
Located at the head of the Broadkill River, Milton became an important point for the shipping of agricultural products during the 18th century. A thriving shipbuilding industry supported the growth of the community, with large numbers of vessels . . . — — Map (db m243002) HM
Welcome to Broadkill Beach Horseshoe Crab Sanctuary
The beach, waters of the Delaware Bay, and the natural surroundings of Broadkill Beach have been beckoning people to enjoy its bounties since colonial times.
Originally known as Cedar Hood Hundred. Before 1863 that part of hundred lying north of Cedar Creek was formed part of St. Jones County, now Kent County. When Mispillion Creek was made northern boundary of Sussex County, the northern part of present . . . — — Map (db m142585) HM
Welcome to the Historic Village in Ocean View!
The Town of Ocean View was incorporated on April 13, 1889. Formerly known as Hall's Store, the first Town Council meeting was held on April 20, 1889, with nine elected council members. The . . . — — Map (db m206372) HM
On January 27, 1873, the “Rehoboth Beach Camp Meeting Association of the Methodist Episcopal Church” was incorporated by the Delaware legislature for the purpose of establishing “a permanent camp meeting ground and Christian sea-side resort.” With . . . — — Map (db m36783) HM
The founders of Rehoboth Beach designed the end of Rehoboth Avenue to be wide, allowing expansive views of the ocean. The plot of land evolved quickly to become a grassy oval around which horse drawn carriages would traverse on dirt avenues, . . . — — Map (db m198887) HM
In the 1870s, Reverend Robert W. Todd of St. Paul's M.E. Church in Wilmington pursued the idea of starting a camp Meeting area on the Delaware coast. In 1873, on 414 acres purchased from local farmers, the RehobothCamp Meeting . . . — — Map (db m206376) HM
When the Dutch first arrived in 1631 to build a whaling station near Lewes, they met a band of Lenape Indians known as the Sicconese. For at least 2,500 years, the Indians had been coming to Wolfe Neck in the spring to harvest clams, oysters and . . . — — Map (db m245056) HM
In 1696, James Cannon received a patent for land at this location from the Proprietary government of Maryland. Known as Ickford, the tract became the property of his son Thomas Cannon in 1712. It is believed that he erected the first section . . . — — Map (db m4541) HM
Town laid out, 1799. Then called “Hooper’s Landing.” First incorporated 1865. Seaford Academy located here from 1819 until some time before Civil War. Rev. Leonidas Polk, later Episcopal Bishop and Major General in Confederate Army was . . . — — Map (db m38661) HM