Ellendale, Delaware facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ellendale, Delaware
Town
Ellendale Fire Company
Nickname(s):  The Gateway to Delaware's Resort Beaches
Location of Ellendale in Sussex County, Delaware (left) and of Sussex County in Delaware (right)
Ellendale, Delaware Location in Delaware Show map of Delaware Ellendale, Delaware Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Delaware
County	Sussex
Settled	1866
Incorporated	March 30, 1905
Area
• Total	0.42 sq mi (1.10 km2)
• Land	0.42 sq mi (1.10 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	49 ft (15 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	487
• Density	1,145.88/sq mi (442.65/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	19941
Area code(s)	302
FIPS code	10-24020
GNIS feature ID	213934

Ellendale is a small town in Sussex County, Delaware, United States. In 2020, about 487 people lived there. This was a big increase from earlier years! Ellendale is known as the "Gateway to Delaware's Resort Beaches." This is because it's located on important roads that lead to the popular beach areas. These roads are U.S. Route 113 and Delaware Route 16.

Discovering Ellendale's Past

How Ellendale Began

Long ago, the area where Ellendale now stands was a thick forest and swamp. It was a natural border between the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay. The Nanticoke Indian Tribe used to hunt here. Later, the Lenape tribe took over the area. A major Native American trade route, called the Lenape Trace, passed through Ellendale. It connected places like Pocomoke City, Maryland and Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania.

When Europeans arrived, the area was used by fur traders and hunters. In the early 1700s, people started farming and cutting down trees. This helped clear some of the swamp. The land where Ellendale was built was first recorded in 1740. It was called "Bennett's Pleasure."

The Black Camp Rebellion

In the 1700s, the Ellendale Swamp was a place where people sometimes hid from the law. This was partly because Delaware and Maryland were arguing over who owned the land. During the American Revolution, some people who supported the British (called Loyalists) gathered in the swamp. This happened during the 1780 Black Camp Rebellion.

These Loyalists were mostly from nearby areas. They formed groups like a militia. They believed that many people in the southern states had given up fighting against the British. They wanted Sussex County to do the same. However, a militia from Kent County stopped the rebellion. Some of the Loyalists were sent to serve in the American army. Others faced legal action.

By 1790, there were two small villages nearby: Fleatown and New Market. But these villages later disappeared when Ellendale was established.

Ellendale in the 1800s

During the early 1800s, the Old State Road was built. It connected the county seat of Georgetown with the state capital of Dover. After slavery ended, African Americans began new lives in the area. Railroads also arrived after the American Civil War.

Ellendale was officially surveyed in 1866–1867. It started near the Morris Tavern Crossroads. The town might have been named after a daughter of a state politician, the wife of a doctor who planned the town, or the daughter of a railroad engineer. In 1866, families moved east to settle around the Junction and Breakwater Railroad Depot. This helped the town grow.

Many businesses opened in Ellendale. These included sawmills, canning companies, and factories making baskets and buttons. The railroad was bought by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1905. That same year, Ellendale officially became a town. Another railroad, the Queen Anne's Railroad, also came through Ellendale in 1897. It connected the town to places like Baltimore and Rehoboth Beach. A post office was also built, which had a large room for a local group called the Independent Order of Red Men.

Ellendale in the 1900s and Today

Ellendale as surveyed in 1906

In 1918, the DuPont Highway was finished. This new road was great for the town at first. But over time, it led to fewer people using the railroad. This caused many of Ellendale's factories to close.

After several fires, the town decided to create a fire department in 1920. They bought a Ford Model T fire truck. A police department was also started in 1921.

New schools were built in the 1920s. The Ellendale School 125 was built for white students. The Ellendale Colored School 195C was built for black students. This was before schools were integrated. Later, in the 1950s, there were protests against school desegregation in the area. However, after desegregation, all students attended Ellendale School 125.

In 1927, the Lincoln and Ellendale Electric Company brought electricity to the town for the first time. The Ellendale State Forest was also created. It has grown much larger since then. In 1930, a huge forest fire burned many acres nearby. This led to new laws to protect forests and the building of a fire tower near Ellendale.

The Ellendale Town Square where town notices are posted.

Ellendale's police department was restarted in the 1970s and again in the 1990s. However, due to money problems, it has sometimes been reduced in size. In 2008, the town voted to add a new piece of land for businesses.

Two important places in Ellendale are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are the Ellendale State Forest Picnic Facility and Teddy's Tavern.

Ellendale's Location and Size

Ellendale is located in Delaware. The town covers a total area of about 0.42 square miles (1.10 square kilometers). All of this area is land.

Who Lives in Ellendale?

In 2020, 487 people lived in Ellendale. The town's population has grown quite a bit since 2010. Most people in Ellendale are White, but there is also a significant number of African American residents. Some people are from other races or have mixed backgrounds. About 6.6% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.

The average household in Ellendale has about 3.66 people. Many households have children under 18 living there. The median age in Ellendale is about 27.2 years old. This means half the people are younger than 27.2, and half are older.

The average income for a household in Ellendale was $55,268 in 2020. This was a big increase from 2010. The cost of living in Ellendale is generally lower than the average for the rest of the United States. Housing costs, in particular, are much lower.

Ellendale's Economy

Ellendale's economy used to rely heavily on its railroads. The town was built around where two train lines met. Today, one of these lines is still used for freight trains. It carries things like coal, fertilizer, and food products. Another train line, which used to go to Milton, is now mainly used to store train cars. However, there are plans to reopen it for more use.

Ellendale also has other businesses. These include a machine shop, a mental health facility, and a research laboratory for Perdue Farms.

Getting Around Ellendale

Roads and Public Transport

DE 16 through Ellendale

Delaware Route 16 runs right through Ellendale. It is called Main Street in town. This road is important because it connects Ellendale to the popular Delaware beaches. U.S. Route 113 also passes through the western part of Ellendale. It connects the town to Milford in the north and Georgetown in the south. These roads made it much easier to travel to and from Ellendale.

DART First State provides bus service to Ellendale. Route 303 connects Ellendale to Dover and Georgetown. From these cities, you can connect to other bus routes that go to places like Wilmington, Newark, and Rehoboth Beach.

Town Services

Delmarva Power provides electricity to Ellendale. Chesapeake Utilities supplies natural gas. Water for the older parts of town comes from individual wells. Newer areas get water from the Artesian Water Company or Sussex County. Sussex County also handles sewer services for the town. Trash and recycling are picked up by private companies. If new buildings want water or sewer services from Sussex County, they must become part of the town of Ellendale.

Learning in Ellendale

Ellendale is part of the Milford School District. This means students in Ellendale attend schools within this district.

Fun Places to Visit in Ellendale

The Ellendale War Memorial is a site dedicated to the citizens of Ellendale killed in various wars. It is located next to the Town Hall and Town Park.

Ellendale has some interesting spots for visitors. Cedar Bugs Pub, which used to be called Teddy's Tavern, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Ellendale War Memorial cannon is dedicated to one of the fallen citizens of Ellendale from World War II.

The Ellendale State Forest Picnic Facility is also on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. This was a program during the Great Depression that gave jobs to young men. The Ellendale State Forest is now part of the Redden State Forest, which is the largest state forest in Delaware.

This large forest has over 44 miles (71 km) of trails. People use them for hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, and bird watching. It's also a place for deer and small game hunting. The forest has primitive camping sites, a fishing pond, and an education center. Some local stories say there are ghosts in the forest, like a headless figure seen on US 113.

The Ellendale War Memorial plaque listing the names of the fallen Ellendale residents from World War II, the Korean War, and the Viet Nam Conflict.

The War Memorial honors soldiers from Ellendale who died serving their country. It is located near the Town Hall and Town Park.

You can also find several historical markers in Ellendale. These markers tell stories about the town's past. For example, there are markers about the railroads and the town's 100th anniversary.

See also

In Spanish: Ellendale (Delaware) para niños