Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
State bird
Blue hen chicken
Driving distances
Wilmington to Dover 52 miles, Dover to Rehoboth Beach 43
miles
History
In colonial days Delaware was the subject of an aggressive land feud between Dutch,
Swedish and British settlers. The former imported classically northern European middle-
class concepts, the latter a plantation-based aristocracy, which is partly why Delaware re-
mains a typically mid-Atlantic cultural hybrid today.
The little state's big moment came on December 7, 1787, when Delaware became the
first state to ratify the US Constitution and thus the first state in the Union. It remained in
that union throughout the Civil War, despite supporting slavery. During this period, as
throughout much of the state's history, the economy drew on its chemical industry.
DuPont, the world's second-largest chemical company, was founded here in 1802 as a
gunpowder factory by French Immigrant Eleuthère Irénée du Pont. Low taxes drew other
firms (particularly credit-card companies) in the 20th century, boosting the state's
prosperity.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Delaware Beaches
Delaware's 28 miles of sandy Atlantic beaches are the best reason to linger. Most busi-
nesses and services are open year-round. Off-season (outside June to August) price bar-
gains abound.
Lewes
In 1631 the Dutch gave this whaling settlement the pretty name of Zwaanendael, or val-
ley of the swans, before promptly getting massacred by local Nanticokes. The name was
changed to Lewes (pronounced Loo-iss) when William Penn gained control of the area.
Today it's an attractive seaside gem with a mix of English and Dutch architecture.
you to sights such as the
Zwaanendael Museum
(102 Kings Hwy;
10am-4:30pm Tue-Sat,
