10 Abandoned Places in Delaware That Nature is Reclaiming
As the oldest state in the nation, having ratified the Constitution in 1787, Delaware’s history goes back…way back. The state has seen its share of buildings come and go, from traditional colonial establishments, to agricultural buildings, to industrial sites. We found images of these 10 abandoned places in Delaware that have been turned over to Mother Nature.
We know that some of these places are up for demolition soon, so we figured we should share the photos with you before the places themselves are gone forever. So here, in no particular order, are 10 photos of places in Delaware that are abandoned but not forgotten by the photographers who found them.
Dating back to the year Delaware became a state, this site has been the location for many mills along the Brandywine River. The buildings officially closed in 1961, but certain portions have been renovated into condominiums.
If you haven't seen this beauty along Route 1 south of Dover, take a peek now. It is slated for demolition soon. The main part of the house dates back to 1771, before Delaware was a state. Reed was considered to be a pioneer of Delaware agriculture.
This range light is still in use, but was automated many years ago, so the structures around it are in disrepair. Built in the early 1900s, this and other range lights built along the Delaware coast helped with navigation upon the dredging of a new channel for the Delaware Bay.
While the Gibraltar Mansion looks oddly beautiful taken over by wisteria, the hope is that it won't look like this for much longer. Built back in the mid-1840s, the mansion was abandoned years later and in 1997 efforts slowly started to restore the mansion and gardens to their original beauty.
The history of Ship John Shoal Light is long and complex. Marking the north side of the shipping channel of the Delaware Bay off the coast from Bombay Hook, the light is now automated. In 2011, the federal government made it available for free to any organization or person willing to restore it.
7. Caretaker's House, Delaware Breakwater Rear Range Light
While the actual lighthouse that was at the west end of Lewes was relocated to Florida in 1927 after being disassembled in 1919, some of the supporting buildings still remain.
In the early 19th century, there were over 15 mills within a 4 mile radius of Millsboro, due to its situation at the headwaters of the Indian River. Remnants of these old mills are still found in the area.
Superstorm Sandy put this pier out of commission back in 2012, but it sure looks beautiful in this photograph.
Have you stumbled upon abandoned places in Delaware? We’re now on a mission to take photos of others that we see peeking out from behind trees along the roadways.
Katy is a life-long Delaware resident who grew up on a small grain farm and spent her summers enjoying time at the beach. A full time public relations professional by day and a content specialist with OIYS at night, Katy loves sharing her love of her home state with fellow Delawareans and others. Loves: local food, dachshunds, horseshoe crabs, hiking, farmers markets, bourbon.
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