Facts
About Delaware
Facts about Delaware will help you to understand the historic background of this state.
Some of the information you may know, but I'm sure there will be a lot of information you may have never heard before.
Delaware is a small state but has much to it, which makes it stand out among the other states.
Delaware Facts:
Famous Facts about Delaware:
Famous facts about Delaware, is a mixture of information that may not be found in your history books but still puts this state in the spot light.
Famous Facts About Delaware
Birthplace of E.R. Johnson (Inventor of Phonograph)The inventor for the phonograph, Eldridge Reeves Johnson (1867 - 1945) was born in Wilmington, DE and grew up in Dover, DE.
He founded the Victor Talking Machine Company, which is known today as RCA.
You can see an oil painting of Nipper, the dog on the RCA trademark "His Master's Voice" at the Johnson Victrola Museum in Dover.
Fewest Counties
Delaware only has 3 counties:
- Kent County
- New Castle County
- Sussex County
This makes Delaware the only state with the fewest amount of counties.
Top
First Beauty Contest
The first beauty contest in the United States was held in 1880 at Rehoboth Beach.
The contest was called the "Miss United States" contest and Tomas Edison was one of the three judges.
This contest became the forerunner to the Miss America pageant that we know of today.
First Christmas SealsChristmas seals were introduced to the United States at Wilmington, Delaware in 1907.
Emily P. Bissell, an author from Delaware, was the designer.
Top
First Coastal Zone Act
Delaware passed the United States first Coastal Zone Act in 1971, which barred industries that pollute.
The Coastal Zone Act was passed to protect beaches and wetlands from falling victim to industrial pollution.
First State to fly Stars and Stripes Flag
One of the historical facts about Delaware is the 13 star flag that was first flown in the Battle of Cooch's Bridge on September 3, 1777.
This was the only Revolutionary battle fought in the state.
Top
First John Deere Tractor
The first tractor made by John Deere is at the Messick Agricultural Museum, Inc. located in Harrington, Delaware.
The museum also show treadmills, smokehouse equipment, old tractors, and more.
Address:
Messick Agricultural Museum, Inc.
One Vernon Road (DE 14W)
Harrington, Delaware 19952
302-398-3729
Top
Delaware is the First State
In December 7, 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the federal Constitution and becoming the first state in the Union.
Due to this, Delaware has the first position in national events such as the presidential inaugurations.
Home of John Dickinson
John Dickinson (1732 - 1808) wrote a series of letters that end up being published in a newspaper called Pennsylvania Chronicle.
The letters became known to represent the positions of American colonists that resisted the British policies on colonial taxation.
The writing of these letters made John Dickinson known as the "Penman of the Revolution."
Top
Home of Tax Free Shopping
One of my favorite facts about Delaware is that it has tax free shopping and other tax advantages in this state.
Delaware, Alaska, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon are the only five states in the United States that have tax free shopping.
Leader in Incorporations
One of the important facts about Delaware is it's favorable incorporations laws, which is why so many businesses from out of this state choose to incorporated here.
Over half of the United States Fortune 500 companies, in 1990, where incorporated in Wilmington, Delaware.
Top
Longest Twin Span Suspension Bridge
The Delaware Memorial Bridge holds the record for the longest twin span suspension bridge in the world.
The bridge connects Delaware to New Jersey and was opened in 1951.
Lowest State
Delaware has the lowest average altitude of any state, the average altitude is about 60 feet above sea level.
The highest point in Delaware, Ebright Azimuth, is 442 feet and is located at the junction of Ebright Road and Ramblewood Drive in Wilmington, Delaware.
This makes Delaware one of the two only states to have the lowest high points in the United State.
Florida is the other state that has a high point lower than Delaware.
Top
Most Ph.D.'s
As a percentage of the population, Delaware has more doctoral-level scientists and engineers than any other state.
There is also a higher rate of patent awards, per person, than any other state.
Nylon Capital of the World
DuPont Company's first nylon manufacturing plant was established in 1939 at Seaford, Delaware.
Top
Corporal Punishment
Delaware and Maryland became the last two states to use the whipping post as corporal punishment.
Corporal Punishment was abolished at Delaware in 1972.
One of the Oldest Churches
One of the oldest churches in the United States, Old Swedes, is still used today in Delaware.
Old Swedes (Holy Trinity Church) was built back in 1698.
Address:
Holy Trinity Church
606 Church Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
302-652-5629
Top
Only State North and East of Mason-Dixon
One of the big facts about Delaware is that it's the only state North and East of the Mason-Dixon Line.
The Mason-Dixon Line forms the United States southern and western borders.
The border of Delaware and Maryland runs through two towns, Delmar and Marydel, which names where combined to reflect both states.
Only State Without a National Park
Delaware is the only state in the United States that does not have a National Park.
Delaware does have state parks and a National Wildlife Refuge, called Bombay Hook.
Top
Largest Producer of Poultry
Sussex County, Delaware raises and produces the most broiler chickens than any other county in the United States.
Foremost Collections of American furniture and Arts
One of the other biggest facts about Delaware is that it has one of the foremost collections of decorative arts and American furniture at the Winterthur Museum.
The Winterthur Musuem has approximately two hundred rooms furnished in styles from 1640 - 1840.
Address:
Winterthur
Route 52 (5105 Kennet Pike)
Winterthur, Delaware 19735
Top
Second Smallest State
Ranked 49th in the nation, Delaware has a total land area of 1,955 square miles.
Delaware's population is also small at a count of 843,524, according to the Census Bureau for 2005, making it rank at 46th for the most populous states.
George Washington was Here
During the Brandywine campaign of the American Revolution, General George Washington and his staff met at the Hale-Byrnes House.
This 18th century brick building is located along White Clay Creek.
Address:
Hale-Byrnes House
606 Stanton-Christiana Road
Newark, Delaware 19713-2109
302-998-3792
General George Washington also stayed at the Robinson House, which was built around 1723.
Address:
Robinson House
Naaman's Road and Philadelphia Pike
Claymont, Delaware 19703
302-798-7335
Top of Facts about Delaware
Return from Facts about Delaware
to Escape-To-Delaware.com Homepage.
