Smyrna Opera House and Town Hall
KC-77: In the spring of 1869, the Commissioners of Smyrna approved a plan to erect a Town Hall. Responding to the long-held desire of the citizens for a venue for public gatherings, architect Richard Mitchell designed the building to include a “hall” on the second floor. Ground was broken on July 15, 1869, and the […]
Site of Milford’s First Methodist Church
KC-65: The beginning of Methodism in this community can be traced to the organization of a local “society” in 1777. Early meetings were held in the homes of its members. On December 3, 1787, Joseph Oliver conveyed a lot of ground at this location for the purpose of “building a preaching house or church” for […]
Bethel Methodist Church
KC-64: The roots of Methodism in this community can be traced to the late 18th century, when Methodist pioneers such as Francis Asbury traveled throughout this area spreading the message of their faith. Over time some church members became dissatisfied with the organization and government of the established Methodist Episcopal Church. As a result, the […]
Dover
KC-38: County seat since 1680. William Penn, in 1683, ordered town site laid out and named Dover. Plotted in 1717. Temporary capital in 1777 and permanent capital since 1779. Federal Constitution ratified here in 1787, making Delaware first State in Union. State Constitutional Conventions held here in 1791-1792, 1831, 1852, and 1897. Installed in 1940. […]
Little Creek Hundred
KC-5: Originally embraced all lands south of Leipsic Creek and north of Little Creek from Delaware River to Maryland line. In 1869 western half was detached and joined to the western half of Duck Creek Hundred to form Kenton Hundred. Installed in 1932. Refurbished in 1966. Sponsors: Historic Markers Commission, 1932 Public Archives Commission, 1966 […]
Milford
SC-26: 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 County, new town in Sussex County. Home of Governors Rogers, Tharp, Causey, Burton, and Watson. […]
Dover Light Infantry Kent County, Delaware Militia, 1776-1777
KC-A9: The Light Infantry Company of Dover, a part of the 1st Battalion of Kent County, mustered in on 2 April 1776. Each militia volunteer was uniformly armed, equipped, and wore a standard military coat of green faced with red lapels, cuffs, and collar. From 14 December 1776 to 14 January 1777, Captain Thomas Rodney, […]
Ridgely House (Built 1728)
KC-A4: Dr. Charles Greenbury Ridgely: Member Colonial and State Legislative Assemblies; Delegate First State Constitutional Convention 1776. Nicholas Ridgely (the younger): Member of Convention that ratified Federal Constitution 1787; Delegate Second State Constitutional Convention 1791-1792; Attorney General 1791-1801; Chancellor of Delaware 1801-1830. Henry Moore Ridgely: Three times Secretary of State of Delaware; Representative in Congress […]
Caesar Rodney
KC-A2: Statesman, Soldier, and Patriot. Member of Stamp Act Congress and of First and Second Continental Congresses. Signer of Declaration of Independence. Member and Speaker of Colonial Assembly of “Three Lower Counties on Delaware.” Member of Council of Safety, Major-General of Delaware Militia, and President (Governor) of Delaware during American Revolution. Born 1728, died 1784. […]
Little Creek United Methodist Church
KC-124: Little Creek United Methodist was established in 1820 as Gum Swamp Methodist Episcopal. By 1832 the church operated and maintained a non-segregated school. In February 1875 the congregation relocated Gum Swamp ME to its current site and on May 30, 1875 the church reopened under the name Little Creek Methodist. The original church moved […]
