The Oldest Town in Delaware Is 145 Years Older Than America Itself

Delaware is a very small state that borders Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Delaware has a rich history and many of the oldest towns and settlements in the United States. Let’s find out about its oldest town, its history, location, activities, and more.

What is the Oldest Town in Delaware?

The oldest town in Delaware is Lewes, the first European settlement in the state. It was a popular whaling and trading post founded by the Dutch on June 3, 1631, making it 392 years old. The original town was named Zwaanendael, which means Swan Valley. The town, however, didn’t last long. Local Lenape Indians killed the 32 Dutch settlers a year later. Still, this wasn’t the end for Lewes. Even today, about 3,300 people call Lewes, Delaware home.

Where is Lewes, Delaware Located on a Map?

The town of Lewes is located in Sussex County, Delaware, on the Delmarva Peninsula, where the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean meet at Cape Henlopen. It is next to Kings Highway, Lewes, and Johnnie Walker Beaches, and close to Rehoboth Beach. The Lewes Lighthouse, a popular tourist attraction, can be found off Highway 9.

The History of Lewes

Lewes has a difficult start. Founded by the Dutch in 1631, the original settlers were massacred by the Lenape tribe a year later. In 1662-63, the Dutch allowed Mennonite colonists to settle there, but they were wiped out in a battle with the British in 1664. In 1673, another Dutch group tried to reclaim the area but were burned out by a group of Maryland colonists. In 1680, the British took over, and in 1682 gave the territory to William Penn, of Pennsylvania fame, in payment of a royal debt to him.

Although known as Lewes now, the town has had many names. For example, in the 1700s, the town was called Lewistown or Lewestown. Hundreds of years later, buildings from the late 1600s and early 1700s still stand in Lewes. Some are even open to the public. Lewes was incorporated on February 2, 1818.

The Geography of Lewes, Delaware

Lewes is a small coastal town. The surface area of this town is 5.11 square miles. Only about 14% of the town is made up of water. The town is quiet but sees tourists during summer because of its mild, humid, subtropical climate. Winters are mild and summers are generally hot and humid. The record high temperature in Lewes is 102 °F, while the lowest is -11 °F. Snowfall isn’t very common. If it does snow, it’s typically from December to March. February receives the most snowfall with an average of 1.2 inches.

Things to Do in Lewes

Lewes, often called the First Town in the First State, has many things to do and see! This historical town is small but mighty. Taking a walk or driving through the town can look like going back in time as some buildings still stand from the late 1600s. While visiting Lewes, you can see the Zwaanendael Museum. This museum’s building models the former City Hall in Hoorn, Netherlands. Although the building is beautiful, it’s what’s inside that is impressive. The museum includes a lot of local history and artifacts surrounding the town.

Apart from this museum, you can also go to the Historic Shipcarpenter Street Campus. Here you can find nine historic buildings each with their own stories. The oldest house on the campus is the Early Plank House, which was built in 1690. The only building though in its original form and location is the Hiram Rodney Burton House. 

Not only can you visit museums and historic buildings, but beautiful parks and beaches. Lewes is also within Cape Henlopen State Park. The park has more than just a beach though, it also protects a forest and dunes. While in the park you can camp, hike, bike, swim, and visit the Seaside Nature Center.

Wildlife You’ll Find in Lewes

Lewes has many parks, walking trails, and opportunities to view wildlife. This small town is home to many animals. Although many aren’t dangerous, you should never purposefully bother or interact with an animal in the wild. They can carry diseases and react aggressively when afraid. Keep reading to discover some animals you may encounter on your next visit to Lewes.

Red Fox

The first animal on our list is the red fox. This animal is very common throughout the state. Although they are wary and shy around humans, they occasionally wander into neighborhoods looking for food. Red foxes are also common near farms or homesteads with poultry. They are active at night and easy to spot. Red foxes are vivid animals with black feet, red and black tails, and white bellies and necks. Red foxes are found all over the world. You can find them as far as the Arctic Circle. While they are common animals, you won’t find them in harsh deserts. Red foxes are very social and form connections with other foxes. They are monogamous and care for their young.

North American River Otter

North American river otters are one of the most common animals in Delaware. They live in fresh and brackish water. North American river otters are best known for their playfulness and social behaviors. They commonly wrestle and play, sometimes with other animal species. North American river otters are great swimmers. Their fur is thick, helping them keep warm while swimming. Although not all river otters, some can reach about 2 to 3 feet long. Apart from Delaware, these unique animals are found throughout North America. Typically, river otters live in dens with underwater entrances, which they use to avoid predators.

Silver-haired Bat

Another mammal you can find in Lewes is the silver-haired bat. They are medium-sized migratory bats with silverish wings and black bodies. Silver-haired bats are common throughout North America. Although these bats mainly live in forests, they travel far and sometimes feed in urban neighborhoods. You can sometimes see them flying and eating along roadsides. Silver-haired bats mainly consume soft insects. They also hibernate in forests and prefer dead trees or trees with cavities.

American Bullfrog

The next animal on our list is the American bullfrog, which is native to eastern North America. These frogs mainly live near bodies of water like creeks, marshes, rivers, lakes, and ponds. American bullfrogs are large and loud frogs. They make a bull-like bellowing sound during breeding. Bullfrogs, although native to eastern North America, are also found in Japan, China, and parts of South America. They are dark green, with patches of light green underneath their bodies and lips. Some American bullfrogs have a mottled appearance, which helps them hide from predators. These large frogs reproduce quickly and are considered invasive in Europe.

Eastern Box Turtle

The eastern box turtle is native to the eastern part of the United States, like the American bullfrog. This frog is found as north as Maine and as south as Florida. Interestingly, the diet of these animals changes depending on where they live. They are opportunistic feeders that consume food like snails, berries, seeds, insects, flowers, and slugs. Eastern box turtles are also pets. However, typically the eastern box turtles in pet stores are captive-bred. These turtles have beautiful and strong shells. They are important in many states. The eastern box turtle is the official state reptile of North Carolina and Texas.

Red-bellied Snake

Last but not least on our list of animals near the oldest town in Delaware is the red-bellied snake. The red-bellied snake is native to North America. It’s non-venomous but delivers a powerful bite when threatened. They are sometimes also called redbelly snakes. Typically these small snakes only reach about 4 to 10 inches long. They are brown, black, or grey, with bright red underbellies. Red-bellied snakes consume slugs as their teeth are best designed for slimy prey.

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