Lewes, Delaware
Encyclopedia
Lewes is an incorporated city
in Sussex County
, Delaware
, USA, on the Delmarva Peninsula
. According to the 2010 census, the population is 2,747, a decrease of 6.3% from 2000.
As Lewes was the earliest settlement in the state, and because Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, the town refers to itself as "The First Town in the First State." Lewes is named after the town of Lewes
in England, which also is situated in a county named Sussex
(from which Sussex County, Delaware, takes its name). Lewes, Sussex, England, also has the same seal.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 4.3 mi2, of which 3.7 mi2 is land, and 0.6 mi2 (14.69%) is water.
, a whaling
and trading post that Dutch
settlers founded on June 3, 1631 and named Zwaanendael
(Swan Valley). The colony had a short existence, as a local tribe of Lenni Lenape Indians wiped out the 32 settlers in 1632.
On April 5 and 6, 1813, during the War of 1812
, British naval vessels led by HMS Poictiers
under the command of Captain Sir John Beresford
briefly and ineffectually bombarded the town. A cannonball from the bombardment is lodged in the foundation of Cannonball House, which now serves as the town's maritime museum.
In 1941, the United States built Fort Miles
on Cape Henlopen
, immediately south of Lewes, to defend Delaware Bay
and the Delaware River
and the oil refineries and factories on its shores, as well as the city of Philadelphia. It was one of the largest and most heavily armed coastal fortifications ever built. Fort Miles never saw any major action; except for range practice, it only fired its guns once between its establishment and the end of World War II. Fort Miles ceased operation altogether in 1991 and was deeded to the State of Delaware.
of 2000, there were 2,932 people, 1,338 households, and 797 families residing in the city. The population density
was 801.5 people per square mile (309.3/km²). There were 2,368 housing units at an average density of 647.3 per square mile (249.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.31% White, 9.89% African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.02% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.72% from other races
, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.67% of the population.
There were 1,338 households out of which 15.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples
living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.53.
In the city the population was spread out with 13.6% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 18.0% from 25 to 44, 31.5% from 45 to 64, and 33.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 55 years. For every 100 females there were 78.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $66,387, and the median income for a family was $72,605. Males had a median income of $39,500 versus $35,227 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $36,685. About 3.1% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
Lewes is adjacent to Cape Henlopen State Park
and is close to the outlet malls of Rehoboth Beach
. Lewes is served by a branch of the Delaware Coast Line Railway that originates in Georgetown
.
It serves as a vacation and resort spot popular with residents of Washington, D.C., and the surrounding suburbs. Even though the city technically sits on the lower reach of the Delaware Bay
, it is nonetheless considered an ocean resort, particularly as the ocean is nearby at Cape Henlopen
. Lewes is among those communities which have banned smoking
in its public parks.
Lewes is the home of the Zwaanendael Museum
, which features exhibits about Delaware's history. Second Street is the town's main street and has many shops, restaurants, and historical venues. Fisherman's Wharf is a dock that stretches along the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal
. It features multiple restaurants and bait shops, and in season the dock hosts hundreds of boats from all over. Also, United States Lightship Overfalls (LV-118/WAL-539), one of seven surviving lightships at museums in the United States, is moored there.
Lewes is one terminus of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry
, which provides passenger and automobile ferry service between southern Delaware and southern New Jersey.
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in Sussex County
Sussex County, Delaware
Sussex County is a county located in the southern part of the U.S. state of Delaware. As of 2010 the population was 197,145, an increase of 25.9% over the previous decade. The county seat is Georgetown. The Seaford Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Sussex County.Sussex County is...
, Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
, USA, on the Delmarva Peninsula
Delmarva Peninsula
The Delmarva Peninsula is a large peninsula on the East Coast of the United States, occupied by most of Delaware and portions of Maryland and Virginia...
. According to the 2010 census, the population is 2,747, a decrease of 6.3% from 2000.
As Lewes was the earliest settlement in the state, and because Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, the town refers to itself as "The First Town in the First State." Lewes is named after the town of Lewes
Lewes
Lewes is the county town of East Sussex, England and historically of all of Sussex. It is a civil parish and is the centre of the Lewes local government district. The settlement has a history as a bridging point and as a market town, and today as a communications hub and tourist-oriented town...
in England, which also is situated in a county named Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
(from which Sussex County, Delaware, takes its name). Lewes, Sussex, England, also has the same seal.
Geography
Lewes is located at 38°46′33"N 75°8′32"W (38.775939, -75.142101).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 4.3 mi2, of which 3.7 mi2 is land, and 0.6 mi2 (14.69%) is water.
History
Lewes was the site of the first European settlement in DelawareDelaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
, a whaling
Whaling
Whaling is the hunting of whales mainly for meat and oil. Its earliest forms date to at least 3000 BC. Various coastal communities have long histories of sustenance whaling and harvesting beached whales...
and trading post that Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
settlers founded on June 3, 1631 and named Zwaanendael
Zwaanendael Colony
Zwaanendael or Swaanendael was a short lived Dutch colonial settlement in Delaware. It was built in 1631. The name is archaic Dutch spelling for "swan valley" or dale...
(Swan Valley). The colony had a short existence, as a local tribe of Lenni Lenape Indians wiped out the 32 settlers in 1632.
On April 5 and 6, 1813, during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, British naval vessels led by HMS Poictiers
HMS Poictiers (1809)
HMS Poictiers was a 74-gun Royal Navy third rate. This ship of the line was launched on 9 December 1809 at Upnor. She played a small role in the War of 1812. She was broken up in 1857.-Active service:...
under the command of Captain Sir John Beresford
Sir John Beresford, 1st Baronet
Admiral Sir John Poo Beresford, 1st Baronet, GCH was an officer in the Royal Navy who rose to the rank of Second Sea Lord. He was a Tory politician in the United Kingdom.-Naval career:...
briefly and ineffectually bombarded the town. A cannonball from the bombardment is lodged in the foundation of Cannonball House, which now serves as the town's maritime museum.
In 1941, the United States built Fort Miles
Fort Miles
Fort Miles was an American military installation located on Cape Henlopen near Lewes, Delaware. Although funds to build the fort were approved in 1934, it was 1941 before the fort was constructed. It was built to defend Delaware Bay and River and to protect domestic shipping from enemy fire within...
on Cape Henlopen
Cape Henlopen
Cape Henlopen is the southern cape of the Delaware Bay along the Atlantic coast of the United States. It lies in the state of Delaware, near the town of Lewes, Delaware...
, immediately south of Lewes, to defend Delaware Bay
Delaware Bay
Delaware Bay is a major estuary outlet of the Delaware River on the Northeast seaboard of the United States whose fresh water mixes for many miles with the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is in area. The bay is bordered by the State of New Jersey and the State of Delaware...
and the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
and the oil refineries and factories on its shores, as well as the city of Philadelphia. It was one of the largest and most heavily armed coastal fortifications ever built. Fort Miles never saw any major action; except for range practice, it only fired its guns once between its establishment and the end of World War II. Fort Miles ceased operation altogether in 1991 and was deeded to the State of Delaware.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,932 people, 1,338 households, and 797 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 801.5 people per square mile (309.3/km²). There were 2,368 housing units at an average density of 647.3 per square mile (249.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.31% White, 9.89% African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.02% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.72% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.67% of the population.
There were 1,338 households out of which 15.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.53.
In the city the population was spread out with 13.6% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 18.0% from 25 to 44, 31.5% from 45 to 64, and 33.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 55 years. For every 100 females there were 78.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $66,387, and the median income for a family was $72,605. Males had a median income of $39,500 versus $35,227 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $36,685. About 3.1% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
Features
Cape Henlopen State Park
Cape Henlopen State Park is a Delaware state park on on Cape Henlopen in Sussex County, Delaware, in the United States. William Penn made the beaches of Cape Henlopen one of the first public lands established in what has become the United States in 1682 with the declaration that Cape Henlopen...
and is close to the outlet malls of Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Rehoboth Beach is a city in Sussex County, Delaware, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population is 1,327, a decrease of 11.2% from 2000...
. Lewes is served by a branch of the Delaware Coast Line Railway that originates in Georgetown
Georgetown, Delaware
Georgetown is a town in Sussex County, Delaware, United States. According to 2010 census figures, the population of the town is 6,422, an increase of 38.3% over the previous decade...
.
It serves as a vacation and resort spot popular with residents of Washington, D.C., and the surrounding suburbs. Even though the city technically sits on the lower reach of the Delaware Bay
Delaware Bay
Delaware Bay is a major estuary outlet of the Delaware River on the Northeast seaboard of the United States whose fresh water mixes for many miles with the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is in area. The bay is bordered by the State of New Jersey and the State of Delaware...
, it is nonetheless considered an ocean resort, particularly as the ocean is nearby at Cape Henlopen
Cape Henlopen
Cape Henlopen is the southern cape of the Delaware Bay along the Atlantic coast of the United States. It lies in the state of Delaware, near the town of Lewes, Delaware...
. Lewes is among those communities which have banned smoking
Smoking ban
Smoking bans are public policies, including criminal laws and occupational safety and health regulations, which prohibit tobacco smoking in workplaces and/or other public spaces...
in its public parks.
Lewes is the home of the Zwaanendael Museum
Zwaanendael Museum
Built in 1931 in Lewes, Delaware, the Zwaanendael Museum was created to honor the 300th anniversary of Delaware's first European settlement, Zwaanendael, founded 1631. The museum models the former City Hall in Hoorn, the Netherlands. It has 17th century Dutch elements such as stepped facade gable,...
, which features exhibits about Delaware's history. Second Street is the town's main street and has many shops, restaurants, and historical venues. Fisherman's Wharf is a dock that stretches along the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal
Lewes and Rehoboth Canal
The Lewes and Rehoboth Canal is a canal in Sussex County, Delaware. It connects the Broadkill River to Rehoboth Bay, and forms a portion of the Intracoastal Waterway.-External links:* - Southern terminus - Northern terminus...
. It features multiple restaurants and bait shops, and in season the dock hosts hundreds of boats from all over. Also, United States Lightship Overfalls (LV-118/WAL-539), one of seven surviving lightships at museums in the United States, is moored there.
Lewes is one terminus of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry
Cape May-Lewes Ferry
The Cape May – Lewes Ferry is a ferry system that traverses a 17-mile crossing of the Delaware Bay to connect Cape May, New Jersey with Lewes, Delaware. The ferry doubles as a section of U.S. Route 9.-The system:...
, which provides passenger and automobile ferry service between southern Delaware and southern New Jersey.