Historical Markers and War Memorials in Georgetown, Delaware
Georgetown is the county seat for Sussex County
Georgetown is in Sussex County
Sussex County(509) ► ADJACENT TO SUSSEX COUNTY Kent County(271) ► Caroline County, Maryland(89) ► Dorchester County, Maryland(148) ► Wicomico County, Maryland(94) ► Worcester County, Maryland(95) ► Cape May County, New Jersey(178) ►
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On The Circle (U.S. 9) at Bedford Street and Market Street, on the left on The Circle.
The future home of Sussex County’s seat of government was a sparsely populated rural area when the 76 acres which would become the Town of Georgetown were purchased on May 9, 1791. Located “near the centre” of the country at a place known as “James . . . — — Map (db m245095) HM
On East Market Street (U.S. 9) at North Railroad Avenue, on the right when traveling south on East Market Street.
In 1827 the Delaware legislature authorized a lottery for the purpose of funding the construction of “an Academy and Masonic Hall.” Land was purchased in 1840, and construction commenced the following year. The building was formally . . . — — Map (db m427) HM
On The Circle (U.S. 9) at North Bedford Street (Delaware Route 18/404), on the left when traveling south on The Circle.
"The Man"
Chad E. Spicer was born August 23, 1980 at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes, DE. Son of Norman and Ruthann. He resided in Georgetown, Delaware his whole life. His parents provided a very good home life for him teaching him right from . . . — — Map (db m190435) HM
On Seashore Highway (Delaware Route 404) near Cokesbury Road (County Road 529), on the right when traveling east.
A Methodist meeting house was erected nearby circa 1803. In December of that year, the lot on which the building stood was conveyed to trustees on the condition that they finish and maintain the structure as a church and school. The building was . . . — — Map (db m49023) HM
Near South Bedford Street (Business U.S. 9) north of Zoar Road, on the right when traveling south.
This monument sheds light on the facts that citizens here felt so strongly during the Civil War that they left their state, farms, businesses and families to head south to enlist. Delaware men served in units from Virginia to Texas. The journey . . . — — Map (db m199250) HM
Base inscription-erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy Caleb Ross
Chapter #2635 and the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Delaware Grays Camp #2068. Front text-not legible, back text-not legible, side text-Smith Gilley, Confederate Army, . . . — — Map (db m105569) WM
On Seashore Highway (State Route 404) (State Road 18), on the left when traveling west.
Site of the first community college in the State of Delaware. Formerly William C. Jason High School, this college was created by the Delaware General Assembly in 1966 and opened the doors to students in September 1967. Because of its central . . . — — Map (db m49022) HM
On West Pine Street, on the right when traveling north.
Born in Georgetown on July 1, 1833, Torbert attended local schools prior to his appointment to the West Point Class of 1855. After the outbreak of the Civil War he rose rapidly in rank, serving as a regimental and brigade commander of New Jersey . . . — — Map (db m39375) HM
On West Market Street at Love Lane on West Market Street.
George Alfred Townsend, famous Civil War newspaper correspondent, journalist and author, was born on this block on January 30, 1841. Townsend’s novels and poetry reflect his deep love for his native region. His best-known historical novel, The . . . — — Map (db m38692) HM
On East market Street (State Route 404) (U.S. 9), on the right when traveling west.
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
On April 11, 1903, the commissioners of the
Town of Georgetown held a public meeting to
organize a fire company for the community.
The effort was in response to the demands of
businessmen and homeowners who had experienced
rising insurance . . . — — Map (db m48860) HM
On North Bedford Street, on the right when traveling south.
In 1859 a petition was submitted to the Lewes Presbytery requesting the creation of a Presbyterian Church in Georgetown. The congregation was organized the following year. Meetings were first held in the Sussex County Courthouse. The church was . . . — — Map (db m48861) HM
On Speedway Road (Local Road 325) 0.1 miles east of Bethesda Road (County Road 326), on the right when traveling east.
Built in 1949 by businessman and auto racing pioneer Melvin L. Joseph, many racing legends got their start at Georgetown's half mile dirt oval. The Delaware Stock Car Racing Association sanctioned the first race at the speedway on March 18, 1950. . . . — — Map (db m244390) HM
In 1857 efforts to extend a rail line from Harrington to the harbor at Lewes were initiated. Though the line was completed to Milford in 1859, additional work was delayed until 1867. By 1868 the rails had reached Georgetown. With extension of the . . . — — Map (db m38697) HM
On East Market Street (US 9) (Delaware Route 404), on the right when traveling east.
In the spring of 1891, Rev. Louis A. Bennett was directed to establish a Methodist Protestant Church in
Georgetown. His efforts were successful, and a frame church was completed the following year on the northwest corner of East Market and King . . . — — Map (db m49013) HM
On Seashore Highway (Delaware Route 18/404) 0.1 miles east of County Road 522, on the right when traveling east.
Hebron M.P. church is one of nine rural Methodist Protestant Churches founded in Sussex County prior to 1888. It is the only known rural M.P. church in Sussex County to have undergone minimal alteration since its construction. The church exemplifies . . . — — Map (db m199246) HM
On Seashore Highway (Delaware Route 18/404) 0.1 miles east of County Road 522, on the right when traveling east.
Hebron MP Church is a small country church located 2.5 miles west of Georgetown, south side of Rt 404, 6 miles east of Coverdale Crossroads. Land given for sum of $25.00 by John H. Day and his wife Mariah L. Day for place of worship. This land . . . — — Map (db m199248) HM
Has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior Plaque placed Return Day 2000 — — Map (db m38695) HM
On McColleys Chapel Road (County Road 213) just south of Redden Road, on the right when traveling south.
McColley's Chapel was built and dedicated in 1858 as a Methodist Church. Congregation members had previously worshipped in a small house on the opposite side of the road. James Redden, a member of the board of trustees, sold the property to the . . . — — Map (db m190325) HM
On South Bedford Street, on the right when traveling south.
Constructed in 1791 at the direction of the State Legislature, this structure served as the seat of Sussex County government until 1837, when it was sold and moved to this location to make way for the construction of the present County Courthouse. . . . — — Map (db m243003) HM
On West Railroad Avenue near East Adams Street, on the left when traveling north.
The roots of African-American Methodism in this community can be traced to the organization of a black “class” within the local Methodist society in the 1790’s. By the 1830’s a group of residents had affiliated themselves with Bishop . . . — — Map (db m49017) HM
On The Circle (U.S. 9) at Bedford and Market Streets, on the left on The Circle.
The conflicting claims of the proprietors of Maryland and Pennsylvania resulted in a lengthy and sometimes violent dispute concerning the ownership and boundaries of Sussex County. Residents who had been Marylanders before the controversy was . . . — — Map (db m245096) HM
On The Circle (U.S. 9) at Bedford and Market Streets, on the left on The Circle.
This event draws thousands as winning and losing candidates joining in celebration on the Thursday following each general election. Poor traveling conditions and interest in the outcome of political contests may have resulted in an extended stay . . . — — Map (db m426) HM
On Airport Road at Stevenson Lane, on the right when traveling east on Airport Road.
In the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Delaware did not have a comprehensive state-wide education system. By 1915, Delaware schools were ranked among the poorest in the country. Worse yet, African American students often attended dilapidated . . . — — Map (db m243080) HM
On Sand Hill Road at Huff Road, on the right when traveling north on Sand Hill Road.
Methodism first came to this area in the late 18th century when circuit riding preachers traveled through the countryside spreading the message of their faith. For a number of years residents of this neighborhood worshipped in local homes and . . . — — Map (db m225427) HM
On Gravel Hill Road (State Road 30), on the right when traveling north.
The origin of this congregation can be traced to the organization of “Johnson’s Society” in the 1830’s. Meetings were held in private homes and the local school. On July 3, 1852, trustees were elected to supervise the building of the first church. A . . . — — Map (db m38635) HM
On East Pine Street near Academy Street, on the right when traveling north.
Incorporated on June 21, 1794, St. Paul’s
P.E. Church is the oldest organized church
in Georgetown. Prior to completion of the
first church building, services were held in
the Sussex County Courthouse. In 1805, a
special lottery sanctioned . . . — — Map (db m49011) HM
On The Circle (U.S. 9) at Bedford and Market Streets, on the left on The Circle.
In 1835 a lottery was authorized to raise funds to replace the frame structure which had served as Courthouse since 1791. Construction of the new building began in 1837 following the sale and relocation of the original Courthouse to its present site . . . — — Map (db m245094) HM
On East Market Street at Georgetown Circle, on the left when traveling east on East Market Street.
In Honor and Memory of All Korean War Veterans Who Served and Died for FreedomLeRoy M Cook • Vernon L. Deshields • Gene O. Hanzer • Kenneth C. Hyslop • Laurence C. Layton • William A. Lockwood • Charles G. Messick • Darrell R. Steele • Richard . . . — — Map (db m38691) WM
On South Bedford Street at Georgetown Circle, on the right when traveling north on South Bedford Street.
1Lt Thomas B. Adams, USA - Selbyville LCPL Linden Wayne Brittingham, USMC - Milton PFC William Joseph Bunting, USA - Frankford CPL Reginald Wayne Burris, USA - Ellendale SGT Richard Samuel Dennison, USA - Bethel PFC Elmer Lee Faulkner, Jr., . . . — — Map (db m38687) WM
In Honor of Those Who Paid the Supreme Sacrifice in World War II Arnold Lee Roach • Harry Ernest Hill • Harold Kenneth Scott • Robert E Marvel • John E. Adams • William H. Hudson • Edward P. Steele • Harold Lee West • E. Alden Townsend, III • . . . — — Map (db m38689) WM
This locally famous landmark was constructed in 1836 by Joshua S. Layton and Caleb B. Sipple, builders of the Sussex County Courthouse across the Square. It replaced a frame Public House that had stood on the site. County courts were held here . . . — — Map (db m38694) HM
On West Market Street close to Front Street, on the right when traveling west.
This home takes its name from the many judges who have lived in it. The Judges was built circa 1809 by Peter Robinson, who served as Secretary of State for Delaware under three governors and was appointed Associate Justice for Sussex County in 1832. . . . — — Map (db m38696) HM
On West Pine Street, 0.1 miles west of Gardner Avenue, on the left when traveling west.
Margaret W. Houston Sussex Co. suffrage leader elected V.P. of Delaware Equal Suffrage Assn. 1896. Helped est. town library 1899. — — Map (db m190454) HM
On The Circle (U.S. 9) at East Market Street (U.S. 9), on the left when traveling west on The Circle.
Dedicated to the memory of those Sussex Countians who gave their lives in World War I
James W. Brown •
Paris T. Carlisle •
Jacob H. Cranfield •
Roger W. Gunsby •
Ulysses S. Isaacs •
Laurence C. Layton •
Harry Miller •
Levin . . . — — Map (db m190429) WM
On North Race Street, on the right when traveling north.
This congregation’s beginnings can be traced to a visit from Methodist pioneer Francis Asbury to a gathering of farm families at the home of Abraham Harris on September 24, 1779. A prominent local landowner, Mr. Harris later conveyed a substantial . . . — — Map (db m49020) HM
On Seashore Highway (State Road 18), on the right when traveling east.
Named after the first African-American
president of Delaware State College, the
school opened in October 1950. Funds were
provided in the will of H. Fletcher
Brown a local philanthropist, and by the
State General Assembly. Initially Jason . . . — — Map (db m49021) HM
On East Market Street (U.S. 9) just east of The Circle (U.S. 9), on the right when traveling east.
On March 16, 1920, Sussex County's members of the Delaware General Assembly held a conference in Georgetown to hear opinions for and against women's suffrage. Suffragists and anti-suffragists organized similar gatherings throughout the state that . . . — — Map (db m190431) HM
On Shortly Road (County Road 431), on the right when traveling north.
In 1865 the Maryland Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church established a “mission” or charge circuit in Sussex County. At the time local members of that faith were meeting nearby in Rogers School. Services were held in the schoolhouse . . . — — Map (db m49018) HM
On Bethesda Road (County Road 326) near Stockley Road (County Road 432), on the right when traveling north.
During the late 18th century many of the residents of this area embraced the Methodist faith. Meetings were often held in the homes of church members. The origin of the Bethesda congregation can be traced to February of 1832, when trustees purchased . . . — — Map (db m60762) HM
On Dupont Boulevard (U.S. 113) south of Gov. Stockley Road (County Road 432), on the right when traveling south.
Constructed in 1948 by Wilbert Rogers, Stockley Tavern is the oldest and one of the last continually operating tap houses in Delaware. Originally called Stockleyville Tavern, the business advertised as the "Television Bar" because it was the first . . . — — Map (db m232976) HM