The river constitutes in part the boundaries of the states of pennsylvania, new york, new jersey and delaware. Parks, museums, piers, restaurants and more call the delaware river waterfront home in philadelphia and the countryside. The 15 best things to do in delaware river region 2020. Annie jump cannon 18631941, astronomer oh, be a fine girlkiss me. Winter programs listed on our upcoming events calendar take place at alternate offsite locations until ferry service resumes in april. Although delaware is rich in history, it is the only state without a dedicated national park and has just national historical landmarks. Lifeblood of the northeast map of the delaware river watershed, showing major tributaries and cities. Delaware fast facts united states senator tom carper. Henry hudson, is credited with delawares discovery in 1609. This name was adopted as the official state nickname on may 23, 2002 following a request by mrs. Howard pyle 18531911, author of the merry adventures of robin hood, artist, illustrator, and teacher. Due to the lenient banking laws of delaware, over half of all publicly traded corporations in the united states are incorporated in delaware.
The first state flag bearing the state coat of arms was authorized by the general assembly in 1799. Plan on reading them as you travel through this great state. Each letter comes with a four line rhyme about that respective letters fact or subject. It dates back to the paleozoic era 543 to 248 million years ago, and there is evidence that the flow of the ancient susquehanna was established early enough that it predated the formation of the appalachian mountains over 300 million years ago. Delaware the nations second smallest state also has the distinction of having become the first state, since it was the first to ratified the united states constitution.
The first state delawares official nickname is the first state. The history of a great american river hal taylor on. The gap constitutes the southern portion of the delaware water gap national recreation area, which is used primarily for recreational purposes, such as rafting. The book is a welltold recreation of the historical facts. Below are a stalk of corn, an olive branch, and a draped red ribbon that reads,virtue, liberty, and independence. Since we havent always kept track of the source, be sure to cross check the fact if you use it. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in delaware river region, new jersey on tripadvisor. Future president james monroe and chief justice john marshall were both part of the army at the time of the crossing. Rising in two branches in new york states catskill mountains, the river flows 419 miles 674 km into delaware bay where its waters enter the atlantic ocean near. The delaware river is a major river on the atlantic coast of the united states. If you did, you probably fell asleep about three pages into the book, because as much as i love history, books on this subject have been chock full of facts, a little. The delaware river is a large river estuary in the northeast united states.
The atlantic coastal plain crosses the extreme southeastern corner of the state consisting of low, level area that gradually slopes down to meet the delaware river. Its population was increasing, westward migration had begun, and business was booming. It stretches just under 100 miles long, and is only 35 miles at its widest point. It drains an area of 14,119 square miles 36,570 km 2 in five u. One of delawares most important transportation arteries is the chesapeake and delaware cana l, which has been deepened and straightened for ocean shipping. The border was drawn at the time of the original land grants to william penn from king charles ii and the duke of york. Constitution is unanimously ratified by all 30 delegates to the.
The nanticoke lived along the nanticoke river in the southwestern part of the state. The ultimate list of childrens books about delaware. An illustrated history of the delaware river colonies. Founded in 1631 by dutch colonists, it was the first white settlement along the delaware river.
The state of delaware deeded pea patch island, located in the delaware river between delaware and new jersey, to. We know that delaware is beautiful and home to some of the best beaches on the east coast, but there is so much more to know about this great state of ours. This post has 20 books about delaware that will rock your homeschool. Delaware pictures and facts national geographic kids. Delaware fun facts, state symbols, photos, visitor info. It is bordered by maryland w, s, and there is a short border with pennsylvania n. Delaware is often called the small wonder here are some interesting facts about.
The illustrated delaware river is such a great mix of history and story telling. Delaware state flag delaware adopted the current state flag on july 24, 19. Its watershed drains an area of 14,119 square miles 36,570 km 2 in five u. He would lead the main body of his army across the delaware river and. Filled with 140 finely crafted original drawings and paintings, this book is designed to. Rising in two branches in new york states catskill mountains, the river flows 419 miles 674 km into delaware bay where its waters enter the atlantic ocean near cape may. Delawares government consists of the general assembly, comprised of a senate and house of representatives, the governor, and the judiciary. I found it to be a treasure trove of obscure historical facts, laced with mr. Fort delaware is closed for the season and will reopen on april 25, 2020. The upper delaware valley is an ideal habitat for the bald. There are lots of amazing ways to discover the scenic river destinations, but here are few suggestions to spend a beautiful day in the delaware river towns. The delaware river drains fourtenths of one percent of the total land area of.
The city was founded in 1683 by william penn and became the states capital in 1777. We all know the standard delaware facts like it was the first state, the second smallest state, and all about fort delaware. New jersey e is across the delaware bay and delaware river. At an upcoming event at the prallsville mills in stockton, theyll talk about the. Many of these interesting facts were borrowed from the brita water filter site.
Poor roads and unnavigable rivers could no longer meet the young nations needs. Washington crossing historic park, pennsylvania trail of history guide. The delaware water gap is a water gap on the border of the u. Delaware is the secondsmallest state in the country. An act of the general assembly of june, 1907, standardized the flag and required that the blue field match the blue of old glory. It all started out with a wolf, a turtle, and a turkey arguing till they got to a river and saw food on the other side. The books on this subject have been chock full of facts, a little.
Delawares state flag celebrates its status as the nations first state. The delaware river and the delaware bay both predate. Geologically, the susquehanna river is considered the oldest major river system in the world. In the center are two harnessed draft horses surrounding a shield picturing a ship, a plow, and 3 sheaves of wheat. Delaware shares a semicircular border with pennsylvania. New castle, kent, and sussex are the only counties in delaware. It lies at the mouth of delaware bay just west of cape henlopen state park, where it is protected by delaware breakwater built 182835.
Pennsylvania state information and fun facts at internet 4. A brief history of the delaware canal friends of the. It begins in the catskill mountains in southeast new york state and ends at. This is a story of why the turtle clan is the best. It begins in the catskill mountains in southeast new york state and ends at the atlantic ocean at delaware bay. The delaware river which flows south past bucks, philadelphia and delaware counties on its way to delaware bay and the atlantic ocean offers lots of waterfront fun in philadelphia. Interesting facts about delaware funny laws and silly stuff. The history of the settlement of the delaware valley starts not at the beginning of the river, but at its end. An intimate book store with a wide variety of used books, and an extensive database. Lambertville founded in 1705, lambertville is a new jersey town along the delaware home to wellpreserved federal town homes, victorianera architecture, and of course, plenty to do.
List of books and articles about delaware history online. Delaware s state flag celebrates its status as the nations first state. Delaware river, river of the atlantic slope of the united states, meeting tidewater at trenton, new jersey, about miles 210 km above its mouth. Lewes, city, sussex county, southeastern delaware, u.
These fun, factfilled books are perfect for young researchers. The appalachian ridge and valley region crosses from the southcentral border with maryland to the eastern border with new jersey. Every year on christmas day the crossing of the delaware is reenacted at washington crossing. How well do you know about the capital of delaware. Downstate is also known as lower delaware, but upstate is not called upper delaware thats a section of new york. Delaware s government consists of the general assembly, comprised of a senate and house of representatives, the governor, and the judiciary. Before the american revolution was even thought of, dover was making big waves in the new world. The lenape indians lived along the delaware river english settlers later called them the delaware. Pennsylvanias state flag is composed of a blue field on which is embroidered the state coat of arms. I expected this book to be dry, but it was light and full of dad jokes. Delaware was the first state to ratify, or sign, the.
Steeped in history, dripping with scenic beauty, and essential to the existence of some of the most significant communities along the eastern seaboard, the delaware river undeniably contributes its share to the lifeblood of the nation. Delaware facts symbols, famous people, tourist attractions. The state of delaware takes its name from the river and bay. River facts the uplands the delaware river s uplands extend from the catskill and pocono mountains where it bubbles forth as cool mountain springs and trickling streams, to hancock, ny where its east and west branches meet to form the main stem, which flows down to the delaware water gap where it enters the piedmont section of the watershed. Delaware was the first state to rafify the new constitution of the united states of america on december 7, 1787. The upper delaware river is an important part of the atlantic flyway. Filled with 140 finelycrafted original drawings and paintings, this book is designed to. One of delaware s most important transportation arteries is the chesapeake and delaware cana l, which has been deepened and straightened for ocean shipping. Over time, weve collected numerous facts on rivers, which were willing to share. There are no major lakes in delaware but there are some major rivers including the delaware river, nanticoke river, and the mispillion river. The nations first scheduled steam railroad began in new castle in.
It was the original route 1 a highway that brought modern civilization to a pristine wilderness. In 1610 explorer samuel argall named the delaware river and bay for the. Secrets to summer fun on the delaware delaware river towns. I dont have a mind for history, and have trouble getting through books full of dates and names. Nov 28, 2015 the illustrated delaware river is such a great mix of history and story telling. Interesting facts on delaware in the colonies synonym. Delaware, maryland, new jersey, new york and pennsylvania. Delaware was the first state to ratify the united states constitution. It forms the border or part of the border between the states of pennsylvania and new york, pennsylvania and new jersey and also between delaware and new jersey. The history of delaware during colonial period involves european settlers mainly fur traders. Check out some of these fun facts and let us know if you knew any of them. River facts the uplands the delaware rivers uplands extend from the catskill and pocono mountains where it bubbles forth as cool mountain springs and trickling streams, to hancock, ny where its east and west branches meet to form the main stem, which flows down to the delaware water gap where it enters the piedmont section of the watershed.
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