The dnrec division of parks and recreation takes a monthly census of birds using the colony, let by counter chris bennett. Fort delaware, the union fortress dating back to 1859, once housed confederate prisoners of war. Fort delaware to present program on the heronry on pea. Explore the shops of this quiet riverside town, take a ferry to pea patch island to tour fort delaware state park, or hike and bike along the chesapeake and delaware canal trail iconic eats. Delaware city is port town on the eastern terminus of the chesapeake and delaware canal and is the location of the ferry to fort delaware on pea patch island in the delaware river. Fort delaware state park, delaware find information. Visit the aba headquarters american birding association. Delaware city is a city in new castle county, delaware, united states. Visitors take a halfmile ferry ride from delaware city to pea patch island. Fort delaware on pea patch island picture of fort delaware state. Fort delaware, delaware city, delaware page 2 legends. Fort mott returns as stop for delaware river passenger ferry. This particular structure is built in a pentagonal manner and reflects that of a military structure.
Fort delaware is wellknown for ghostly activity and has been featured on ghost hunters and other television shows. Fort delaware pea patch island fort delaware state park. Pea patch island is displayed on the delaware city usgs quad topo map. Access to pea patch island is by ferry from either delaware city or fort mott, new jersey.
Pea patch island, delaware river, new castle county, delaware. Historic fort delaware pea patch island, delaware river. Visitors can take the night ferry from delaware city to pea patch island where fort delaware is located to participate in a threehour recreational paranormal investigation, led by. Pea patch island is a summer home to nine different species of herons, egrets, and ibis. Visitors will get a taste of the paranormal investigative experience with the help of the diamond state ghost investigators, a. Fort delaware, situated on pea patch island in the delaware river, was a harbor defense facility built to protect the ports of wilmington, delaware and philadelphia, pennsylvania. Delaware city is a small city, more like a village actually, with a population of just 1,453 at the 2000 census. Fort delaware state park delaware city 2020 all you.
Tour detail fort delaware state park, delaware city. Paranormal investigations at fort delaware prove that it is. De56 pea patch island delaware city vicinity new castle county delaware photographs written historical and descriptive data historic american engineering record national park service northeast region u. According to folklore, it received its name after a ship carrying peas ran aground here, spilling its. It is a small port town on the eastern terminus of the chesapeake and delaware canal and is the location of the forts ferry crossing to fort delaware on pea patch island.
Fort delaware on pea patch island, one mile from delaware city, delaware. The delaware citysalem ferry operates between delaware city, del. A jitney provides transport from the island dock to the granite and brick fortress. So this is fort delaware, built back in the 1800s and used as a prison and to defend the delaware river. Herons, egrets, and ibis leaving and returning to the colony are tallied. It is a low, marshy island, located in new castle county, facing delaware city on the delaware shore, and finns point on the new jersey shore. In 1794, the french military engineer pierre charles lenfant surveyed the island as an ideal location for a river defense fort. Here, costumed interpreters take you back to the summer of 1864. Fort delaware, delaware city, delaware legends of america.
The post is well known for its use prison camp during the civil war, housing more than 12,000 confederate prisoners at one time. Can buy tickets at the pier in delaware city credit or cash or on the ferry itself. Sep 21, 2018 more than 30,000 confederate troops would eventually be sent to pea patch island. Delaware birding trail, fort delaware state park, pea. Paranormal investigations october 3, 4 october 10, 11 october 17. The passenger ferry, owned by the delaware river and bay. Fort delaware pea patch island fort delaware state park, delaware city, delaware official website fort delaware state park ferry information forts ferry crossing directions you can leave from the pier at fort mott state park in pennsville, nj or. Fort delaware state park delaware city 2020 all you need to. The ferry will now operate on varying schedules between delaware city, del. Fort delaware, delaware city, delaware page 2 legends of. Fort delaware is located on pea patch island in delaware and is considered to be a haunted prison. Delaware birding trail, fort delaware state park, pea patch.
Society interpretive projects scale model of pea patch island. Fort delaware and pea patch island south jersey trails. If this is your first time here, we would like to extend our warmest welcome. Every afternoon, in the waning daylight hours, there is a steady procession of these elegant waders moving along the river.
Delaware city is a historic waterfront community that has rich history and great charm. My 3xgreat uncle, john thomas conn, a confederate soldier from georgia, was held as a prisoner of war here in 1863, during abraham lincolns war to prevent southern independence. Paranormal investigations at fort delaware prove that it. Prior to the program, bennett will be on the pea patch island pier for bird watching beginning at 1. A new book uses previously unreported information to cast doubt on the prisons infamous reputation. Jul 01, 2015 fort delaware state park, located on pea patch island, was part of a chain of three forts that defended philadelphia for well over 100 years. It is a low, marshy island, located in new castle county, facing delaware city. This abandoned fort in delaware is one of the most haunted places in the world. Same day tickets may be purchased on a firstcome, firstserved basis at our ticket office. Delaware city delaware city is a small city, more like a. Drive east for four miles hwy 72 will become hwy 9. The ferry will not operate during thunderlighting events, or during high winds. Fort delaware is situated 960 feet northwest of pea patch island.
Fort delaware is also known for its ghostly activity and paranormal tours are offered in the fall. Delaware city june 28, 2012 the heronry on pea patch island supports one of the largest populations of wading birds on the east. Laura lee or becky webb, fort delaware state park, 3028347941. Tickets now on sale for paranormal adventures at fort delaware. The ticket office and ferry dock are located at 45 clinton street in delaware city. If this is your first time here, we would like to extend our warmest welcome and invite you to take a tour of what our community has to offer. During the american civil war, the union used fort delaware as a prison for confederate prisoners of war, political prisoners, federal convicts, and privateer officers. Access to pea patch island and fort delaware is by ferry only. Delaware state parks situated on pea patch island, a 10minute passenger ferry ride from delaware city, fort delaware is a majestic civil warera masonry fort. Delaware state parks situated on pea patch island, a 10minute passenger ferry ride from delaware city, fort delaware is a.
Located in the delaware river, just one mile from delaware city, access to pea patch island and fort delaware is by ferry only. Delaware citysalem ferry expands operating schedule. Legend has it that pea patch island was formed when a cargo of peas sank in the shallows of the delaware river just downstream of new castle, delaware, a riverbank settlement colonized by the dutch in 1651. Fort delaware, sitting on pea patch island in the middle of the delaware river, has a rich history that you may have learned about on a school field trip. Smaller groups than the paranormal adventures, and you investigate more areas of the fort. Henry gale which sits in the delaware river, between delaware city, delaware and fort mott, new jersey. Pea patch island is in the islands category for new castle county in the state of delaware. Facebook fort delaware usually, on these more mild tours, the horrifying conditions of the fort delaware prison are downplayed a bit, for the crowds.
Fort delaware stands on pea patch island in the delaware river. Explore the shops of this quiet riverside town, take a ferry to pea patch island to tour fort delaware state park, or hike and bike along the chesapeake and delaware canal trail. Pea patch island is a small island, approximately 1 mi 1. It is a small port town on the eastern terminus of the chesapeake and delaware canal and is the location of the ferry to fort delaware on pea patch island.
A second masonry star fort was built of brownstone with a wooden interior starting in 1819. De56a pea patch island delaware city vicinity new castle county delaware photographs written historical am descriptive data historic american engineering record national park service northeast region u. Pea patch island, delaware city vicinity, new castle county, delaware usgs 7. The wet peas sprouted and grew, catching sand and silt, eventually transforming the bar into an island. Sep 19, 2016 fort delaware is located on pea patch island and is a frequent spot for school field trips and historic tours. Pea patch island is famous as the home of fort delaware, but for more than a century it has also been one of the countrys largest heronries, hosting thousands of nesting herons and egrets. Sunset cruises to pea patch island fort delaware state park is proud to partner with the american birding association to bring sunset river cruises back for another year to offer you a fun, enjoyable, and educational experience on the delaware river. Tour detail fort delaware state park, delaware city ferry. Bidders and interested parties shall meet at the dnrec office located at 45 clinton street, delaware city, delaware and they will be ferried to the island. There are several properties in delaware city available for purchase. The fort is just offshore from delaware city, reached via the three forts ferry. Historic communities in the city are the delaware city historic district, chelsea, eastern lock of the chesapeake and delaware canal, fairview, and fort delaware on pea patch island. Visitors can take the night ferry from delaware city to pea patch island where fort delaware is located to participate in a three.
Fort delaware is a former harbor defense facility, designed by chief engineer joseph gilbert totten and located on pea patch island in the delaware river. Fort delaware to present program on the heronry on pea patch. Pea patch island improvements at fort delaware state park. Visitors take a 12 mile ferry ride from delaware city to pea patch island. Fort delaware on pea patch island check out tripadvisor members 362 candid photos and videos of fort. Fort delaware, pea patch island, delaware city, new castle. Totten and construction was supervised by captain samuel babcock. The first fortifications were built at the end of the war of 1812, and the bulk of the present fort was built before the civil war. A mandatory prebid meeting will be held on tuesday, october 29, 2019 at 1. Fort delaware, pea patch island, delaware city, new castle county. At one point in mid1863, the crowded prison population of 12,000 included all captured at gettysburg. Custom house 200 chestnut street philadelphia, pa 19106.
Pea patch island emerged from the depths of the delaware river as a mud bank sometime in the early 19th century. The star fort was designed by army engineer joseph g. Originally built to protect wilmington and philadelphia, it became infamous during the civil war as a jail for confederate pows. It was originally built to protect the ports of wilmington and philadelphia. Fort delaware state park delaware city 2020 all you need.
This hotel, down on harbor st, was about the most city like we could find when driving through town. The fort is located in the middle of the delaware river and a ferry takes you tofrom delaware city out to the island also know as pea patch island. Pea patch island emerged from the depths of the delaware river as a mud bank sometime in the. Here, costumed interpreters take you back to the summer of. Pea patch island, located just off delaware city, hosts one of the largest breeding colonies of herons and egrets in the midatlantic region. Pea patch island, as it was known to the locals, was a private hunting ground for dr. Pea patch island heron survey delaware ornithological. Private boats are not permitted to dock on the island. Fort delaware to present program on the heronry on pea patch island.
227 1544 1029 370 1339 939 1202 44 1117 1300 1200 454 667 625 632 1385 708 969 1551 695 858 487 1235 964 409 297 275 866 1069 1276 1272 424 3 516 654 1340 950 503 867 965 371