Delaware's history is a long and proud one. Early explorations of its coastline were made by the Spaniards and Portuguese in the sixteenth century; by Henry Hudson in 1609 under the auspices of the Dutch; by Samuel Argall in 1610, Cornelius May in 1613, and by Cornelius Hendricksen in 1614.
During a storm, Argall was blown off course and sailed into a strange bay which he named in honor of his governor. It is doubtful that Lord De La Warr ever saw, or explored, the bay, river, and state which today bears his name. In 1631, 11 years after the landing of the English pilgrims at Plymouth, Massachusetts, the first white settlement was made on Delaware soil.
A group of Dutchmen formed a trading company headed by Captain David Pietersen de Vries for the purpose of enriching themselves from the New World. The expedition of about 30 individuals sailed from the town of Hoorn under the leadership of Captain Peter Heyes in the ship De Walvis (The Whale). Their settlement, called Zwaanendael, meaning valley of swans, was located near the present town of Lewes on the west bank of the Lewes Creek, today the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal.
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Adopted on July 24, 1913, the Delaware state flag has a background of colonial blue surrounding a diamond of buff color in which the coat of arms of the state is placed. Below the diamond are the words "December 7, 1787," indicating the day on which Delaware was the first state to ratify the United States constitution. Because of this action, Delaware became the first state in the Union, and is, therefore, accorded the first position in such national events as presidential inaugurations.
According to members of the original commission established to design the flag, the shades of buff and colonial blue represent those of the uniform of General George Washington. Inside the diamond, the flag recognizes the importance of commerce {the ship} and agriculture {wheat, corn, the ox and the farmer} to the state. Tribute is also paid to the revolutionary war soldiers. The words in the ribbon banner read Liberty and Independence.
Take a virtual tour of Delaware's rich history and culture.
- Delaware was admitted to Statehood on December 7, 1787 - the first state in the union, thus the nickname of "The First State". It is also dubbed "The Diamond State", "Blue Hen State", and "Small Wonder". The state's motto is "Liberty and Independence", and those words are printed on the state flag.
- Delaware ranks 49th in the nation with a total area of 1,982 square miles. There are only three counties in the state. New Castle County is 438 square miles. Kent County is 594 square miles. Sussex County is 950 square miles. Delaware is 96 miles long and varies from 9 to 35 miles in width.
- Song: "Our Delaware" (words by: George B. Hynson music by: M. S. Brown) became the official state song in 1925. The verses recognize each of Delaware's three counties.
- Largest Cities: Wilmington, Dover, Newark, Milford, Seaford, Middletown, Elsmere, Smyrna, New Castle, and Georgetown. Dover, located on the Saint Jones River in the central part of the state, is the seat of Kent County. Dover has been the state's capital since 1777. The capitol building, below, is commonly known as Legislative Hall.
- Highest elevation -- 447.85 ft. above sea level near Ebright Road in New Castle County. Lowest -- sea level along the coast.
- 2000 Population Estimate - 783,600; 45th among the states; Density: 401 persons per square mile. For additional information, go to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Delaware Economic Development Office, or the Office of Occupational and Labor Market Information.
- Delaware's climate is moderate year round. Average monthly temperatures range from 75.8 to 32.0 degrees. Average temperature in the summer months is 74.3 degrees. About 57% of the days are sunny. Annual precipitation is approximately 45 inches. Temperatures along the Atlantic Coast are about 10 degrees warmer in winter and 10 degrees cooler in summer. The average growing season varies from 170 to 200 days.
- On the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, Delaware is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay, as well as by the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Delaware's location affords easy access to the major metropolitan areas of the Northeast. Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Baltimore are all within a 2-hour drive.
- Chief Products: Agriculture -- broilers, soybeans, corn, milk. Fishing Industry -- crabs, clams. Mining -- sand and gravel, magnesium compounds. Manufacturing -- chemicals, food products, paper products, rubber and plastics products, primary metals, printed materials.
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Why Delaware? I can't begin to list all the reasons to visit Delaware, but for starters.....
Do you like water? Quiet, peaceful landscapes? Nature at its best? Do you like history? Like to shop? In Delaware you can shop tax-free because there's no sales tax!
Delaware may be the nation’s second-smallest state, but it packs plenty of first-rate opportunities for both vacation and relocation - after all, it didn't get its newest nickname (Small Wonder) by accident!
Let's just let a few pictures do the talking.
For history buffs, these are but a few examples of the rich history that is Delaware....
The historic Fort Delaware State Park on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River offers Civil War reenactments and displays of soldiers’ daily lives. Fort Christiana State Park includes a full-size replica of the Swedish settlers’ sailing ship, the Kalmar Nyckel.
The Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes, Delaware, is modeled after the town hall in Hoorn, the Netherlands, to commemorate Delaware’s first European settlement by the Dutch in 1631.
As I was searching Delaware's history, state symbols, and other facts, a page out of The Official Website for the First State caught my eye, especially since it's almost Halloween. (I chose a few of the pictures and their accompanying 'stories' below for you to enjoy.)
It starts like this:
Rumors and legends of hauntings have grown up around these locations for many years, but please remember as you view the images that seeing is not necessarily believing.
The Delaware Public Archives does not endorse or deny any of these legends, however, the continued existence of these stories is enough to make you wonder...
- Addy-Sea Inn, Bethany, Delaware...
Room 1 contains a bathtub that has been seen shaking violently. Room 6 has organ music heard within its walls. Room 11 is thought to be haunted by the ghost of Paul Dulaney, who worked for the Addys. Footsteps, thought to be of Kurtz Addy, can be heard on the roof and in the second floor hallway. Kurtz, the son of builder, John Addy fell to his death from the roof.
- Rockwood Mansion, Wilmington, Delaware...
Many orbs have been witnessed floating throughout the 45 rooms of this Victorian Mansion. Strange sounds have been reported by staff members. Although investigations have been done, none have been able to identify specific spirits.
- Ellendale State Forest, Ellendale, Delaware...
A headless figure has been seen walking along the highway that runs through the park. No one knows who he is, but there is a high rate of accidents reported along this road by the local police.
- Scotts Run Bridge, St. George's, Delaware...
The spirit of an old black man named Jacob is said to still play his fiddle by the bridge. Before the Civil War, he played his fiddle while he sat on the railing of the old wooden bridge. He died after falling into the Scott Run stream. It is said that you can still hear his fiddle playing while standing on the new bridge.
- Slaughter Neck, Slaughter Beach, Delaware...
The ghost of a man who committed suicide haunts this area. He apparently shot himself while sitting in a ditch. Another ghost that wanders the Boardwalk trail between Slaughter Neck and Broadkill Beach is thought to be that of Jonathan Morris. He owned a farmhouse that once stood near the trails. His spirit is most often felt by his grave, which is located in the old Morris Family Graveyard.
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