Delaware City, Odessa & Middletown

Delaware City, Odessa, and Middletown all within 15 miles or less of each other comprise the southern-most end of the Greater Wilmington area and take you approximately 30 minutes outside of the City of Wilmington.

Delaware City can trace its origins back to 1801 when the Newbold family from New Jersey purchased a tract of land that became known as Newbold's Landing. The Newbolds drew plans for the town in 1826 with the expectation that it would eventually grow to rival Philadelphia as a Delaware River port and commercial center. Today, Delaware City is a quaint riverfront community situated at the eastern end of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal on the Delaware River.  The city encompasses only 1.3 square miles and boasts an historic district with more than 200 buildings constructed during the 19^th-and early 20^th-century.

Odessa was first settled by the Dutch in the 17th century and was originally named Appoquinimink, after a neighboring creek.  British settlers gradually replaced the Dutch, and in 1664 the Appoquinimink area was confiscated and deeded to Captain Edmund Cantwell.  Today, Odessa's footprint is a mere .5 square miles with an approximate 286 residents.  However, it does boast some of the finest examples of 18^th- and 19^th-century architecture and lifestyles in the Brandywine Valley.  Five of the town's most unique properties are known collectively as the Historic Houses of Odessa operated by the Historic Odessa Foundation and are open year-round for tours.  The houses include the Corbit-Sharp House (circa 1774), the Wilson Warner House (circa 1769), the Collins-Sharp House (circa 1700), the Brick Hotel (circa 1822) and the Odessa Bank (circa 1853).

Incorporated in 1861, Middletown, Delaware developed as an early crossroads town and tavern stop.  Today, annexations of the land have stimulated Middletown's growth, and have made it the fastest growing area in Delaware.   Many affluent housing developments surround the town's center have sprung up and have played a role in the growth by attracting high-income families relocating from neighboring areas such as Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York City. 

Popular Attractions

• Christmas in Odessa
• City of Delaware City
• Delaware Main Street - Middletown
• Fort Delaware
• Historic Houses of Odessa
• Lums Pond State Park
• Frog Hollow Golf Club

Area Restaurants

• Crabby Dick's at Fort Delaware
• The Café at Saint Georges
• The Den at Frog Hollow

Hotels & Lodging

• AmericInn Lodge & Suites of Bear/Newark
• Hampton Inn - Middletown