Paul Laurence Dunbar School
The Paul Laurence Dunbar School educated African American students in Laurel in grades 1-11 from 1921-1965. Constructed as part of philanthropist Pierre S. du Pont’s school rebuilding program, the Dunbar School replaced a small wood-framed school in West Laurel built in 1867. The new building was named for black poet Paul Laurence Dunbar and also […]
Christ United Methodist Church
SC-145: 2022 Text:In the fall of 1831, Reverend Thomas Pearson came to Laurel to assist with the establishment of a Methodist Protestant congregation. The church became one of the first of this denomination in Delaware, with early meetings held in a schoolhouse. A church was constructed on West Street in 1832, and a cemetery established […]
Laurel
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 1799. Birthplace of Governor William H. H. Ross (elected 1850), and home […]
Governor Ross Mansion
SC-77: This residence was constructed by William Henry Harrison Ross. He was born in Laurel in 1814 and died in 1887. He served as Governor of Delaware (D) between 1851-1855. In 1859, Ross constructed this elaborate brick Italian Villa style structure featuring a three-story center entry tower on his 1,395 acre farm. Currently owned by […]
Nathaniel Mitchell (1752-1813)
This Federalist served as the governor of Delaware between 1805-1808. He was born in Laurel in 1752, attended Old Christ Church, and is buried in this churchyard. Mitchell was commissioned as adjutant of militia 1775, promoted captain in 1776, and appointed brigade major in 1779. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress between 1786-1788 […]
Old Christ Church
SC-63: Established on Broad Creek in 1770 as a “Chapel of Ease” of Stepney Parish, Maryland on land purchased by a levy of 80,000 pounds of tobacco. Building completed by Robert Holston in 1772 at a cost of £510. Installed in 1938. Sponsor: Public Archives Commission, 1938 Marker Photo Gallery: Resources Related to Laurel: Find […]
West Dover Hundred
KC-10: Originally part of St. Jones Hundred, renamed Dover Hundred, 1823, the boundaries being Little Creek on north and St. Jones Creek on south, extending from Delaware River to Maryland line. Dover Hundred was divided 1877 into two hundreds, called West Dover Hundred, and East Dover Hundred. Installed in 1932. Sponsors: Historical Markers Commission Marker […]
Laurel
RG# 7130 Before Mason and Dixon’s survey established the boundary between Delaware and Maryland, the location on the Broad Creek which would become Laurel was claimed by Maryland. In 1789, Barkley Townsend laid out 32 lots at Broad Creek Wading Place, an Indian settlement which had been abandoned, selling them to tradesmen. Ten years […]
Yearbooks at DPA
The Delaware Public Archives has a small collection of yearbooks researchers can use to learn about academic life through the 20th Century.
