Exploring Top 20 Delaware’s Abandoned Places

Delaware, the First State, may be small in size, but it’s big on history and hidden treasures. Beyond the bustling cities and coastal escapes lie forgotten relics of the past – abandoned places that whisper stories of days gone by. So, grab your adventurous spirit and join us on a laid-back journey to discover Delaware’s abandoned gems.

List of Abandoned Places in Delaware

Delaware, the First State, is rich in history, and its landscape is dotted with remnants of a bygone era. From abandoned industrial sites to forgotten amusement parks, these places offer a glimpse into the past and provide a unique opportunity to explore the hidden corners of the state.

1. NVF Factory (Hockessin)

Once a thriving manufacturer of fiberboard, the NVF Factory has stood vacant since the 1970s. The factory’s now-crumbling buildings, adorned with graffiti-covered walls, have become a magnet for urban explorers drawn to its haunting beauty.

2. Bancroft Mills (Wilmington)

For over a century, Bancroft Mills hummed with the activity of textile production. Today, the abandoned mill stands as a silent testament to the state’s industrial past. Its decaying structures, overgrown with vegetation, offer a glimpse into a time when industry reigned supreme.

3. Camp Wright (Smyrna)

During World War II, Camp Wright served as a vital military training camp. Now, the abandoned camp lies eerily still, its buildings slowly succumbing to nature’s embrace. The echoes of marching boots and barked orders seem to linger in the air, remnants of a time when the camp bustled with activity.

4. Brandywine Springs Amusement Park (Wilmington)

Once a beacon of joy and laughter, Brandywine Springs Amusement Park now stands as a relic of a bygone era. Its dilapidated rides and attractions, frozen in time, serve as poignant reminders of the park’s former glory. The silence that envelops the park is a stark contrast to the once-vibrant atmosphere that once filled its air.

5. Milford Middle School (Milford)

In 2013, Milford Middle School closed its doors for the last time, leaving behind an empty shell of a once-bustling educational institution. The school’s boarded-up windows and overgrown grounds paint a desolate picture of a place where young minds once thrived.

6. Cinemark (New Castle)

Cinemark, once a popular movie theater chain, shuttered its New Castle location in 2019. The abandoned theater, with its marquee still visible from the road, stands as a reminder of the changing landscape of entertainment.

7. Firestone (New Castle)

Firestone, a once-thriving tire and auto service company, closed its New Castle location in 2010. The abandoned building and its overgrown parking lot serve as a reminder of the rise and fall of once-prominent businesses.

8. JCPenney (Wilmington)

JCPenney, a household name in the retail industry, closed its Wilmington location in 2018. The abandoned department store, with its boarded-up windows, stands as a symbol of the changing retail landscape.

9. Abandoned Farm (Christiana)

Hidden amidst the trees and weeds near the JPMorgan data center in Christiana lies an abandoned farm. The farmhouse, in a state of disrepair, serves as a reminder of the state’s agricultural heritage.

10. Old Mill (Greenville)

Nestled near the Brandywine River in Greenville stands an old mill, its stone walls bearing witness to the passage of time. The mill’s ruins, slowly succumbing to the forces of nature, offer a glimpse into the state’s industrial past.

11. Fort DuPont State Park (Delcastle)

Once a bustling military base, Fort DuPont State Park now offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and a boat ramp. Yet, within the park’s boundaries lie several abandoned buildings, including a hospital and barracks, remnants of the site’s military past.

12. Edge Moor (Wilmington)

Edge Moor, once a thriving community, now stands as a ghost town. Abandoned in the early 20th century, the town’s crumbling buildings serve as a reminder of a forgotten era.

13. New Castle Historic District (New Castle)

Despite its well-preserved historic charm, the New Castle Historic District also harbors several abandoned buildings, including a school and a church. These structures stand as silent testaments to the district’s rich history.

14. Old Swedes Historic Site (Wilmington)

Old Swedes Historic Site, a museum dedicated to the Swedish colony in Delaware, also encompasses several abandoned buildings, including a church and a parsonage. These structures offer a glimpse into the lives of the early Swedish settlers.

15. Bellevue Hall (Wilmington)

Bellevue Hall, once a grand mansion, now stands abandoned and in a state of disrepair. Its decaying grandeur serves as a reminder of the opulence of a bygone era.

These abandoned places scattered across Delaware offer a unique window into the state’s rich history and cultural heritage. They serve as silent reminders of the rise and fall of industries, communities, and lifestyles, standing as testaments to the ever-changing nature of time.

16. Henry Clay Inn (New Castle)

The Henry Clay Inn, once a popular gathering spot and stagecoach stop, now stands as a shell of its former glory. The inn’s abandoned rooms and overgrown grounds offer a glimpse into the bustling days when travelers and locals alike frequented its halls.

17. New Castle Armory (New Castle)

Opens in a new window en.wikipedia.org

The New Castle Armory, once a hub of military activity, now stands silent and vacant. The armory’s decaying brick walls and empty drill halls offer a stark contrast to the days when soldiers trained and prepared for battle within its walls.

18. Edgewood Sanatorium (Greenville)

Opens in a new window en.wikipedia.org

The Edgewood Sanatorium, once a tuberculosis treatment facility, now stands as a haunting reminder of the medical struggles of the past. The sanatorium’s abandoned buildings, with their peeling paint and overgrown grounds, evoke a sense of melancholy and serve as a reminder of the devastating impact of tuberculosis on society.

19. P.S. DuPont Middle School (Wilmington)

Opens in a new window www.brandywineschools.org

P.S. DuPont Middle School, once a vibrant educational institution, now stands abandoned and eerily quiet. The school’s empty classrooms, with their torn posters and scattered desks, offer a poignant reminder of the days when young minds filled its halls.

20. Wilmington Public Library (Wilmington)

Opens in a new window townsquaredelaware.com

The Wilmington Public Library, once a cherished center of learning and community engagement, now stands vacant and forlorn. The library’s empty shelves and echoing silence serve as a stark contrast to the days when it hummed with activity, its walls adorned with books and its floors bustling with patrons.

These abandoned places, scattered across Delaware’s landscape, offer a unique opportunity to explore the state’s rich history and the ever-changing nature of time. They serve as silent reminders of the past, whispering tales of industries, communities, and lifestyles that have faded into the annals of time. While their abandoned state may evoke a sense of melancholy, they also hold a certain allure, inviting curious minds to explore their forgotten corners and piece together their stories. So, if you’re ever in Delaware, venture off the beaten path and seek out these abandoned places. You might just be surprised by the stories they have to tell.

Is it worth to visit the abandoned places in Delaware?

Exploring these abandoned places in Delaware is like stepping into a time capsule. It’s a chance to connect with the past, marvel at the endurance of historical structures, and capture the beauty of decay through your lens. Remember, though, to always respect private property and take only photos, leaving these hidden gems for future adventurers to discover. Delaware’s history is waiting to be uncovered, one abandoned place at a time.