Welcome To KEY TO THE CITY's Page For
Fenwick Island
Sussex County, Delaware
ZipCodes
19944
Motto
"The Quiet Resorts"
Page Contents for Fenwick Island, Delaware
History & History-related items
Chamber of Commerce.
Statistics & Facts
The Delaware state capital is Dover.
The population of Fenwick Island is approximately 235 (2000), 379 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 201 (2010).
The amount of land area in Fenwick Island is 0.889 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0.367 sq kilometers.
The distance from Fenwick Island to Washington DC is 115 miles.
The distance to the Delaware state capital is 54 miles. (as the crow flies)
Fenwick Island is positioned 38.46 degrees north of the equator and 75.05 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Fenwick Island elevation is 4 feet above sea level.
Location
in the southeast corner of Delaware on the border with Maryland. Here is a map page for the island.Return to Index
History & History Related Items
The island was named after Thomas Fenwick who was a wealthy Virginia landowner who purchased the land in 1686. At that time there was quite a dispute between Pennsylvania and Maryland over whose jurisdiction in which the island was located. In 1751, the conflict was ended when the Transpeninsular Line placed Fenwick Island in Delaware.
James and Jacob Brasure, local residents, began to extract salt from the ocean in 1775. This became a large business in the area until around 1825. After World War I, Fenwich Island became popular as a resort and vacation place.
Fenwick was both founded and incorporated in 1953. The Fenwick Island Lighthouse is still a working lighthouse. It is located on the Maryland-Delaware border. The Transpeninsular Line for east to west ran though the lighthouse site in 1751. The lighthouse and monument are open for visiting during special hours and days. Please call ahead to make sure it is open.
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Attractions
The DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum
708 Ocean Highway
Fenwick Island, Delaware 19944
Phone: 302-539-9366
See hundreds of artifacts from shipwrecks and the colonial past of the area.
Sussex County area information
Things to do in the area
Fenwick Island Lighthouse
First lit on 1 August 1859, this lighthouse has played an important role in this isolated community. Please call ahead for hours of operation so you aren't disappointed when you arrive.
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Fenwick Island City Government
Town of Fenwick Island800 Coastal Highway
RR3, Box 370
Fenwick Island, DE 19944
Phone: (302) 539-3011
Fax: (302) 539-4279
Fenwick Island Chamber
Bethany Beach - Fenwick Island Chamber of CommerceP.O. Box 1450
Bethany Beach, DE 19930
Phone: (302) 539-2100
Toll-free: (800) 962-7873
Fenwick Island Organizations
Bethany Beach - Fenwick Island Chamber of CommerceP.O. Box 1450
Bethany Beach, DE 19930
Phone: (302) 539-2100
Toll-free: (800) 962-7873
Fenwick Island Schools
Children of Fenwick Island attend schools in the Indian River School District.
Indian River School District
31 Hoosier St.
Rte. 2, Box 156
Selbyville, DE 19975
Phone: 302-436-1000
Fax: (302) 436-1034
The Indian River School District serves the towns of Selbyville, Frankford, Dagsboro, Gumboro, Fenwick Island, Bethany Beach, Ocean View, Millsboro and Georgetown. It is one of the largest districts in the state.
Fenwick Island Miscellany
The population of Fenwick Island was:
1990 - 186
2000 - 235
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