Tiny town with a big history on the C and D Canal

Settlement of Saint Georges Delaware began in the late seventeenth century when a bridge over Georges Creek was erected. This bridge became a link on what was an important north-south road between New Castle and Lewes beginning in the colonial period. In 1762, this route officially became part of the King’s Highway from Charleston to Boston. This road passed through a settlement on its main street. Because of its position on this road, Saint Georges was a stop on a regional stage coach line.

When the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal opened in 1829, Saint Georges entered a boom period that lasted until the 1880s. This east-west trade route substantially reduced the travel distance between the Delaware River and Chesapeake Bay. Local markets gained easier access to Philadelphia and Baltimore. A canal lock was located at Saint Georges, making it a point of activity along the water route. Both goods and passengers traveled the canal. The Ericsson Line of passenger steam ships was active on the canal from 1844 to circa 1920. Most of the buildings in the village were constructed during these peak years of activity on the canal.

Twentieth century change to the local transportation system slowed the growth of the village. In 1919, the federal government bought the canal and converted it to a sea level canal by 1927. Without the lock, there was no longer any reason for boats to stop at Saint Georges. But at the same time, changes in overland transportation brought a new focus to the village. The construction of DuPont Highway between 1916 and 1923 placed Saint Georges on Delaware’s first modern highway. The southbound lane followed Main Street, and Broad Street (see photo) was used as the northbound lane. These streets merged at the edge of the canal before crossing the bridge.

When this new highway was built, the northbound lane was constructed along the western edge of a property at the edge of the river which became a canal. Once holding two homes probably built at the same time around 1850, it is a home on this property, now backing to the modern Michael Castle Trail along the Chesapeake  and Delaware Canal which is now for sale. ( Photo: 9 Delaware St., North Saint Georges Delaware). On the right side of the photo is the separately deeded quarter acre lot which is also available.

Photos below show North Saint Georges Delaware today. The only business in town is the Saint Georges Country Store, which serves lunches and dinner and has live music 5 nights a week. Yes, Cajun food is alive and well in Delaware!

   If you would like to see the cottage at 9 Delaware Street, call or email Carolyn Roland, Your Older and Historic Homes Resource in Delaware and Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania.