Bethel, Delaware facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bethel, Delaware
|
|
|---|---|
Ship-Carpenter's House
|
|
Location of Bethel in Sussex County, Delaware.
|
|
 Bethel, Delaware
Location in Delaware
Bethel, Delaware
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Delaware |
| County |  Sussex |
| Settled | 1840s |
| Incorporated | April 4, 1907 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.44 sq mi (1.14 km2) |
| • Land | 0.44 sq mi (1.14 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 23 ft (7 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 239 |
| • Density | 543.18/sq mi (209.50/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
19931
|
| Area code(s) | 302 |
| FIPS code | 10-05820 |
| GNIS feature ID | 213641 |
Bethel is a small town located in Sussex County, Delaware, United States. It is a quiet community with a rich history. In 2020, about 239 people lived there. Bethel is part of the larger Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware area.
Contents
What is Bethel Known For?
Bethel is famous for its history as a shipbuilding and trading center. In the 1800s, skilled carpenters built wooden sailing ships here. These ships were used for trade until the early 1900s.
The Chesapeake Sailing Ram
One special type of ship built in Bethel was the Chesapeake sailing ram. These ships were designed to be affordable. They had a flat bottom and three masts. They needed only a small crew to operate. Rams were mainly used to carry goods along the coast, especially in the Chesapeake Bay. Between 1871 and 1918, about 30 of these rams were built in Bethel's shipyards.
How Bethel Got Its Name
Bethel was once known by other names, like Lewis' Wharf and Lewisville. The area was first settled in the 1720s. In 1795, a man named Kendal Major Lewis bought land here. He started a trading spot that grew into a busy community. By the 1840s, it was called Lewisville.
Lewisville became an important place for building ships. The nearby forests provided lots of wood like pine, oak, and cypress. In 1869, Jonathan Moore built a major marine railway here. This was a system to pull ships out of the water for repair or building.
In 1880, the village wanted its own post office. But there was already another Lewisville in Delaware. So, the town changed its name to Bethel.
Bethel's Historic District
The Bethel Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. This means it's a special place with important historical buildings. It helps protect the town's unique past.
Where is Bethel Located?
Bethel is located in Sussex County, Delaware. It covers a total area of about 0.4 square miles (1.1 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
How Many People Live in Bethel?
The population of Bethel has changed over the years.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 298 | — | |
| 1890 | 378 | 26.8% | |
| 1910 | 370 | — | |
| 1920 | 222 | −40.0% | |
| 1930 | 219 | −1.4% | |
| 1940 | 245 | 11.9% | |
| 1950 | 271 | 10.6% | |
| 1960 | 236 | −12.9% | |
| 1970 | 219 | −7.2% | |
| 1980 | 197 | −10.0% | |
| 1990 | 178 | −9.6% | |
| 2000 | 184 | 3.4% | |
| 2010 | 171 | −7.1% | |
| 2020 | 239 | 39.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 184 people living in Bethel. There were 78 households and 56 families. Most residents were White (96.20%). A small number were African American (2.72%) or Asian (1.09%).
The average age of people in Bethel in 2000 was 44 years old. About 20.7% of the population was under 18.
Schools in Bethel
Children in Bethel attend schools in the Laurel School District. The local high school is Laurel High School.
Getting Around Bethel
People in Bethel mostly travel by road. There are no major state highways that go directly through the town. However, Delaware Route 24 is nearby. You can reach Bethel from this highway using Shell Bridge Road.
See also
In Spanish: Bethel (Delaware) para niños
