What is The Oldest Residential Street in Delaware?

While it's difficult to definitively name the single "oldest street" in Delaware, as many thoroughfares evolved from early paths and trails, the streets of Historic New Castle and the area around The Strand in Lewes are widely regarded as among the oldest in the state.

The Two Strongest Claims to Delaware's Oldest Street

The distinction of "oldest street" can be complex, as many of the state's earliest roads were simply dirt paths that were later paved and named. However, two towns, New Castle and Lewes, have the strongest claims to the oldest continuously used streets in Delaware, both with roots dating back to the 17th century.

• The Streets of Historic New Castle: Founded as Fort Casimir by the Dutch in 1651, New Castle is one of the oldest continuously occupied towns in the Delaware Valley. The streets in its historic core, including Delaware Street, The Strand, and the network of cobblestone lanes that surround the original town green, were laid out in the 17th century. These streets have been in continuous use for over 350 years, having witnessed the arrival of Dutch, Swedish, and English settlers, and played a central role in the colonial government of Delaware. The New Castle Court House Museum, built in 1732, stands on Delaware Street, further cementing the area's historic significance.

  
  
  

• The Area Around Second Street and Pilottown Road in Lewes: Lewes holds the title of the "First Town in the First State," with its origins dating back to the Dutch whaling colony of Swanendael, established in 1631. While the original settlement was destroyed, the town was re-established, and the streets in its historic center have been in use since the latter half of the 17th century. Second Street is home to the Ryves Holt House, which was built in 1665 and is considered the oldest surviving house in the state. This, along with nearby Pilottown Road, which leads to the site of the original Dutch settlement, gives this area a strong claim as one of Delaware's oldest streetscapes.

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While it is nearly impossible to name one single street as the absolute oldest, the historic streets of New Castle, particularly those around the town green, and the area of Second Street and Pilottown Road in Lewes, are without a doubt the oldest and most historic thoroughfares in the state of Delaware.

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Sources:

• The Delaware Historical Society
• The New Castle Historical Society
• The Lewes Historical Society
• The National Park Service (First State National Historical Park)
• State of Delaware Archives
• Local and state historical publications

State of Delaware