Lewes, Delaware

Lewes was the site of the first European settlement in Delaware, a whaling and trading post that Dutch settlers founded on June 3, 1631, and named Zwaanendael (Swan Valley).Munroe, John A.: Colonial Delaware: A History: Millwood, New York: KTO Press; 1978; pp. 9–12. The colony had a short existence, as a local tribe of Lenape Indians killed all 32 settlers in 1632.

The area remained rather neglected by the Dutch until, under the threat of annexation from the colony of Maryland, the city of Amsterdam made a grant of land at the Hoernkills (the area around Cape Henlopen, near the current town of Lewes) to a group of Mennonites for settlement in 1662. A total of 35 men were to be included in the settlement, led by a Pieter Cornelisz Plockhoy of Zierikzee and funded by a sizable loan from the city to get them established. 41 persons came with Plockhoy from the Netherlands to the Hoernkill onboard the Dutch ship the Sint Jacob, one of whom was Otto Wolgast from the town of Wolgast, Pomerania. The settlement was established in 1663, and lasted until the very next year; in 1664, the English captured New Netherland from the Dutch, and they ordered the settlement razed with reports indicating that “not even a nail” was left there.Scharf, Thomas J., History of Delaware, 1609–1888, 1888

The Dutch colonists proved slow to regroup, but a new settlement gradually regrew around the Hoernkills. In late December 1673, when the area was briefly held again by the Dutch, the settlement was attacked and burned down again by a group of Maryland colonists. In 1680, under the authority of the Duke of York, who had been granted such authority by his brother, King Charles II, the village (and county) was reorganized and known for two years as New Deale, Deale County, Delaware. A log courthouse was authorized to be built at this time. An Anglican congregation was established by 1681 and a Presbyterian church was built in 1682.

In 1682, the Delaware colonies were given to William Penn by King Charles II as payment for a family debt. When Penn arrived in the New World later that year, he renamed the county as Sussex and the Hoernkills settlement as Lewes, in commemoration of the county and town in England. Lewes became and remained the county seat of Sussex County until 1791, when it was moved to a more west-central county location, the current town of Georgetown.History of Lewes Delaware and Vicinity, Colonel David Hall Chapter, DAR The town was also known as "Lewistown" or "Lewestown".{{Cite web|url=https://www.capegazette.com/article/1813-lewes-was-town-war/44195|title = In 1813, Lewes was a town at war}}https://warof1812.delaware.gov/reports/lewistown/camp_lewistown_1814.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}https://warof1812.delaware.gov/reports/lewistown/officers_at_lewes_town_station_1813.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://delawaretoday.com/life-style/discovering-the-hidden-history-of-lewes/|title = Discovering the Hidden History of Lewes|date = 23 June 2014}}

On April 6 and 7, 1813, during the War of 1812, Royal Navy vessels led by HMS Poictiers under the command of Captain Sir John Beresford briefly and ineffectually bombarded the town. A cannonball from the bombardment is lodged in the foundation of Cannonball House, which now serves as the town's maritime museum.

Lewes was incorporated by an act of the state assembly on Feb. 2, 1818. The act provided for five persons to be chosen as commissioners to be known as "Trustees of the Town of Lewes."Scharf's History of DelawareJournal of the Lewes Historical Society, Vol. 1, Dec. 1998

In 1941, the United States built Fort Miles on Cape Henlopen, immediately east of Lewes, to defend Delaware Bay and the Delaware River and the oil refineries and factories on its shores, as well as the city of Philadelphia.

Fort Miles never saw any major action; except for range practice, it fired its guns only once between its establishment and the end of World War II. Fort Miles ceased operation altogether in 1991 and was deeded to the State of Delaware.

File:lightshipoverfalls.jpg, preserved as a tourist attraction.]]

In addition to Fort Miles, the Cape Henlopen Archeological District, Coleman House, Cool Spring Presbyterian Church, De Vries Palisade, Delaware Breakwater and Lewes Harbor, Fisher Homestead, Fisher's Paradise, Col. David Hall House, Hopkins Covered Bridge Farm, Lewes Historic District, Lewes Presbyterian Church, Lightship WAL 539, Maull House, National Harbor of Refuge and Delaware Breakwater Harbor Historic District, Pagan Creek Dike, Roosevelt Inlet Shipwreck, William Russell House, St. George's Chapel, Lewes, Townsend Site, and Wolfe's Neck Site are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.{{NRISref|version=2010a}} Lightship WAL 539 is also listed as a National Historic Landmark.

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Six men who served as Delaware governor were born in or made their home in Lewes. Three of those men lived on Lewes' Second Street. Brothers Daniel and Caleb Rodney, sons of John Rodney, first cousin of Caesar Rodney, each served as governor of Delaware. Each a member of the Federalist Party, Daniel served from 1814 to 1817, while Caleb served as acting governor from 1822 to 1823. Ebe Walters Tunnell moved to Lewes in 1873 to enter the drug and hardware business in part of the old Caleb Rodney House on Second Street. Tunnell worked his way up the state government hierarchy before unsuccessfully running for governor in 1892. Four years later, the Democrat won the election, and served from 1897 to 1901.Journal of the Lewes Historical Society, Vol. 2, Nov. 1999

As Lewes was the earliest settlement in the state, and Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, the town refers to itself as "The First Town in the First State."{{cite web |title=Lewes Chamber of Commerce |url=http://www.leweschamber.com/ |access-date=2011-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612091915/http://www.leweschamber.com/ |archive-date=2011-06-12 |url-status=live }} Lewes is named after the town of Lewes in England,{{cite web|url= http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=9053|title= Profile for Lewes, Delaware, DE|publisher= ePodunk|access-date= September 19, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130209120952/http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=9053|archive-date= February 9, 2013|url-status= dead}} which is situated in a county named Sussex (from which Sussex County, Delaware, takes its name).Katy Rice, 'Across the Pond', in Sussex Society, September 2011, p. 28 Lewes, Sussex, England, also has the same seal.

Lewes is located at {{Coord|38|46|28|N|75|08|22|W|type:city}} (38.7745565, –75.1393498).{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}

File:The Ryves Holt House is the oldest surviving house in the U.S. state of Delaware.jpg, the oldest structure in Delaware]]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|4.3|mi2}}, of which {{convert|3.7|mi2|abbr=on}} is land, and {{convert|0.6|mi2|abbr=on}} (14.7%) is water.

File:Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) - LEWES, DE.svg

Situated on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, Lewes's weather is moderated by the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware Bay. Lewes has a mild humid subtropical climate (Cfa) consisting of hot, humid summers and mild winters. The average daytime high in July is {{Convert|87.7|F|1}} and a low of {{Convert|70.6|F|1}}; in January, the average high is {{Convert|46.2|F|1}} with an average low of {{Convert|30.2|F|1}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/19958 |title=Average Weather for Lewes, DE – Temperature and Precipitation |publisher=Weather.com |access-date=2013-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819061735/http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/19958 |archive-date=2014-08-19 |url-status=live }} The month of highest average rainfall is July with {{Convert|4.95|in|1}} of rain, while February is historically the driest month, receiving an average of only {{Convert|3.17|in|1}} of rain.

The highest official temperature ever recorded in Lewes was {{Convert|102|F|1}} in 1997. The lowest official temperature ever recorded in Lewes was {{Convert|-11|F|1}} in 1982.

{{Weather box

|location = Lewes, Delaware (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1945–present)

|single line = yes

|Jan record high F = 78

|Feb record high F = 86

|Mar record high F = 89

|Apr record high F = 92

|May record high F = 97

|Jun record high F = 102

|Jul record high F = 101

|Aug record high F = 101

|Sep record high F = 98

|Oct record high F = 92

|Nov record high F = 88

|Dec record high F = 77

|year record high F = 102

|Jan avg record high F = 67.4

|Feb avg record high F = 68.3

|Mar avg record high F = 76.1

|Apr avg record high F = 84.1

|May avg record high F = 89.4

|Jun avg record high F = 94.9

|Jul avg record high F = 96.8

|Aug avg record high F = 95.3

|Sep avg record high F = 89.2

|Oct avg record high F = 82.7

|Nov avg record high F = 74.7

|Dec avg record high F = 67.5

|year avg record high F = 97.8

|Jan high F = 46.2

|Feb high F = 48.1

|Mar high F = 55.2

|Apr high F = 66.2

|May high F = 74.6

|Jun high F = 83.4

|Jul high F = 87.7

|Aug high F = 85.5

|Sep high F = 79.6

|Oct high F = 69.3

|Nov high F = 58.7

|Dec high F = 49.9

|year high F = 67.0

|Jan mean F = 38.2

|Feb mean F = 40.0

|Mar mean F = 46.3

|Apr mean F = 56.3

|May mean F = 65.3

|Jun mean F = 74.5

|Jul mean F = 79.2

|Aug mean F = 77.3

|Sep mean F = 71.7

|Oct mean F = 60.9

|Nov mean F = 50.4

|Dec mean F = 42.4

|year mean F = 58.5

|Jan low F = 30.2

|Feb low F = 31.9

|Mar low F = 37.5

|Apr low F = 46.4

|May low F = 56.0

|Jun low F = 65.7

|Jul low F = 70.6

|Aug low F = 69.2

|Sep low F = 63.7

|Oct low F = 52.4

|Nov low F = 42.2

|Dec low F = 35.0

|year low F = 50.1

|Jan avg record low F = 14.2

|Feb avg record low F = 17.5

|Mar avg record low F = 22.2

|Apr avg record low F = 33.1

|May avg record low F = 43.3

|Jun avg record low F = 53.2

|Jul avg record low F = 61.6

|Aug avg record low F = 59.2

|Sep avg record low F = 50.2

|Oct avg record low F = 37.3

|Nov avg record low F = 27.0

|Dec avg record low F = 19.3

|year avg record low F = 12.2

|Jan record low F = −11

|Feb record low F = 0

|Mar record low F = 9

|Apr record low F = 18

|May record low F = 27

|Jun record low F = 39

|Jul record low F = 47

|Aug record low F = 47

|Sep record low F = 37

|Oct record low F = 26

|Nov record low F = 16

|Dec record low F = 0

|year record low F = −11

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 3.38

|Feb precipitation inch = 3.17

|Mar precipitation inch = 4.21

|Apr precipitation inch = 3.45

|May precipitation inch = 3.38

|Jun precipitation inch = 3.77

|Jul precipitation inch = 4.95

|Aug precipitation inch = 4.31

|Sep precipitation inch = 4.49

|Oct precipitation inch = 4.41

|Nov precipitation inch = 3.59

|Dec precipitation inch = 4.17

|year precipitation inch = 47.28

|Jan snow inch = 2.0

|Feb snow inch = 6.5

|Mar snow inch = 1.0

|Apr snow inch = 0.0

|May snow inch = 0.0

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.0

|Oct snow inch = 0.0

|Nov snow inch = 0.0

|Dec snow inch = 1.0

|year snow inch = 10.5

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 11.1

|Feb precipitation days = 10.0

|Mar precipitation days = 11.2

|Apr precipitation days = 11.3

|May precipitation days = 10.9

|Jun precipitation days = 9.5

|Jul precipitation days = 10.4

|Aug precipitation days = 9.1

|Sep precipitation days = 8.9

|Oct precipitation days = 9.8

|Nov precipitation days = 10.4

|Dec precipitation days = 11.5

|year precipitation days = 124.1

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 0.9

|Feb snow days = 1.2

|Mar snow days = 0.4

|Apr snow days = 0.0

|May snow days = 0.0

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.0

|Nov snow days = 0.0

|Dec snow days = 0.4

|year snow days = 2.9

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=phi

|title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = June 18, 2021}}

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00075320&format=pdf

|title = Station: Lewes, DE

|work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = June 18, 2021

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230808084315/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00075320&format=pdf

|archive-date = 2023-08-08}}

|date=June 2017}}

{{Weather box |width=auto

|location = Lewes, Delaware (Ocean Water Temperature)

|single line = Y

|Jan mean F = 37

|Feb mean F = 36

|Mar mean F = 41

|Apr mean F = 51

|May mean F = 60

|Jun mean F = 68

|Jul mean F = 73

|Aug mean F = 76

|Sep mean F = 72

|Oct mean F = 62

|Nov mean F = 52

|Dec mean F = 44

|year mean F= 56

|source 1 = NOAA {{cite web|url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/all_meanT.html|title=Weather Data|publisher=NOAA|access-date=June 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905202557/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/all_meanT.html|archive-date=September 5, 2017|url-status=live}}

|date=June 2017

}}

{{US Census population

|1870= 1090

|1900= 2259

|1910= 2158

|1920= 2074

|1930= 1923

|1940= 2246

|1950= 2904

|1960= 3025

|1970= 2563

|1980= 2197

|1990= 2295

|2000= 2932

|2010= 2747

|2020= 3303

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2016}}

}}

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}} of 2000, there were 2,932 people, 1,338 households, and 797 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|801.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,368 housing units at an average density of {{convert|647.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 87.3% White, 9.9% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.0% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 1,338 households, out of which 15.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.53.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 13.6% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 18.0% from 25 to 44, 31.5% from 45 to 64, and 33.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 55 years. For every 100 females, there were 78.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $66,387, and the median income for a family was $72,605. Males had a median income of $39,500 versus $35,227 for females. The per capita income for the city was $36,685. About 3.1% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.

File:UD Windmill.jpg's wind turbine seen from Canary Creek]]

Lewes is served by the Cape Henlopen School District.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st10_de/schooldistrict_maps/c10005_sussex/DC20SD_C10005.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616210718/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st10_de/schooldistrict_maps/c10005_sussex/DC20SD_C10005.pdf |archive-date=2021-06-16 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Sussex County, DE|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=2021-06-15}} The Lewes School District was consolidated into the Cape Henlopen district in 1969.{{cite web|last=MacArthur|first=Ron|url=https://www.capegazette.com/article/cape-henlopen-high-school-bridges-past-present-dedication-cornerstone/8713|title=Cape Henlopen High school bridges past to present with dedication of cornerstone|newspaper=Cape Gazette|date=2010-11-11|accessdate=2021-06-17}} Lewes is zoned to:

• Richard Shields Elementary SchoolElementary school zoning: {{cite web|url=https://www.capehenlopenschools.com/site/Default.aspx?PageID=3567|title=Boundary Descriptions|publisher=Cape Henlopen School District|accessdate=2021-06-15}} and {{cite web|url=https://www.capehenlopenschools.com/cms/lib/DE02211722/Centricity/Domain/536/ES_Feeder_Patterns_21-22.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031035151/https://www.capehenlopenschools.com/cms/lib/DE02211722/Centricity/Domain/536/ES_Feeder_Patterns_21-22.pdf |archive-date=2021-10-31 |url-status=live|title=ES_Feeder_Patterns_21-22.pdf|publisher=Cape Henlopen School District|accessdate=2021-06-15}}
• Cape Henlopen High School (in an unincorporated area with a Lewes address), the sole comprehensive high school of the district

Sussex Consortium, a school for students with autism previously in the former Lewes School, is now in an unincorporated area with a Lewes address.

The University of Delaware's Hugh R. Sharp Campus is also within the city. This is home to the University's College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment.

Lewes students are also eligible to enter Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences, which is not in the city but is in the nearby city of Georgetown.

The Lewes School first opened as a multi-grade school in 1921 and became Lewes High School by 1946. It initially held Cape Henlopen High School when it opened in 1969. Lewes School will be repurposed as the new Richard A. Shields Elementary.{{Cite web|url=https://www.capegazette.com:443/article/lewes-high-school-it-appeared-1940s/207324|title=Lewes High School as it appeared in the 1940s|newspaper=Cape Gazette|date=2020-08-25|accessdate=2021-07-04}}

File:The Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes, Delaware.jpg building in Hoorn, the Netherlands, used as a women's club starting 1930, now the Zwaanendael Museum]]

Lewes serves as a vacation and resort spot popular with residents of Washington, D.C., and the surrounding suburbs. Even though the city limits primarily sit on the lower reach of the Delaware Bay, it is nonetheless considered an ocean resort, particularly as the ocean is nearby at Cape Henlopen. Lewes is among those communities which have banned smoking in its public parks.{{cite news

|title=Delaware cities: Smoking still legal on Rehoboth Beach |author=Molly Murray

|url=http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20110416/NEWS02/104160354/-1/NLETTER01/Smoking-still-legal-on-Rehoboth-Beach

|newspaper=The News Journal |publisher=Gannett |date=16 April 2011 |at=DelawareOnline |access-date=16 April 2011 }}

Lewes is the home of the Zwaanendael Museum, which features exhibits about Delaware's history. Savannah, Second and Front Streets are the town's main streets and have many shops, restaurants, parks and historical venues. Fisherman's Wharf is a dock that stretches along the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal. It features multiple restaurants and bait shops, and in season the dock hosts hundreds of boats from all over.

The Lewes Historical Society promotes the preservation, interpretation and cultural enrichment of the Lewes region through museum exhibits, educational programs, historical research and publications. Visitors can try colonial cocktails at the recreated Sussex Tavern, sing shanties at shanty nights, and learn about the town's rich history at the Historic Lewestown Campus. {{cite web|url=http://www.historiclewes.org|access-date=3 July 2014|publisher=Historic Lewes|title=Lewes Historical Society Home Page|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714133838/http://www.historiclewes.org/|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=live}}

Lewes in Bloom is an organization that promotes and maintains the beauty of Historic Lewes. Lewes in Bloom won America in Bloom's contest in 2003, 2005, 2010 and 2015 for cities with population under 5,000. In 2012 and 2015 Lewes in Bloom was honored in the AIB “Circle of Champions”.{{cite web|url=http://www.americainbloom.org/Home.aspx|title=America in Bloom|access-date=2013-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017171703/http://www.americainbloom.org/Home.aspx|archive-date=2013-10-17|url-status=live}}

Image:Harbor of Refuge.JPG]]

United States Lightship Overfalls (LV-118/WAL-539), one of nine surviving lightships at museums in the United States, is moored in Lewes along the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal

Lewes is home to several iconic Lighthouses in the Delaware Bay. Just offshore lies the National Harbor of Refuge which is home to the Delaware Breakwater East End Light and the Harbor of Refuge Light.

{{Clear}}

Image:Lewes Beach from Savannah Road.JPG

File:Lewes Beach in Delaware.jpg

Lewes is adjacent to Cape Henlopen State Park.

Lewes also maintains several parks within the city limits:

• Blockhouse Pond Park
• Stango Park
• Zwaanendael Park & Herb Garden
• 1812 Memorial Park (Cannonball Park)
• Mary Vessels Park
• George H.P. Smith Park
• Canalfront Park & Marina
• Lewes Beach
• Great Marsh Park{{cite web|url=http://capegazette.villagesoup.com/p/lewes-adds-great-marsh-park/1304573|title=Lewes adds Great Marsh Park|access-date=2015-09-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706220832/http://capegazette.villagesoup.com/p/lewes-adds-great-marsh-park/1304573|archive-date=2015-07-06|url-status=live}}

DNREC maintains a boat ramp just outside the city limits along the Broadkill River, adjacent to the Roosevelt Inlet.

Lewes is primarily policed by the Lewes Police Department and Delaware State Police. For EMS Lewes is serviced by the Lewes Volunteer Fire Department. The town also see the occasional Delaware Natural Resource Police officer patrolling the waterways, and the state park. Lewes also has a United States Coast Guard Marine safety detachment

File:Lewes Ferry port.JPG

Delaware Route 1 (DE 1) passes just outside city limits at Five Points where DE 1, U.S. Route 9 (US 9), DE 404, DE 23 and DE 1D (Plantation Road) intersect. There are three main arterial roads that connect Lewes to DE 1: New Road, Savannah Road (US 9 Business) and King's Highway (US 9). US 9 passes to the southeast of downtown on the Theodore C. Freeman Memorial Highway.{{Delaware road map|year=2008|access-date=May 26, 2016}} Parking meters are in effect for on-street parking and parking lots in the downtown area between May 1 and October 14 and at parking lots at Lewes Beach between May 1 and September 30.{{cite web|title=City of Lewes General Questions|publisher=City of Lewes Delaware|url=http://www.ci.lewes.de.us/index.cfm?ref=17100|access-date=May 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102195133/http://www.ci.lewes.de.us/index.cfm?ref=17100|archive-date=January 2, 2017|url-status=dead}}

File:2022-07-07 18 34 35 View west along U.S. Route 9 (Cape Henlopen Drive) just east of U.S. Route 9 Business and Theodore C. Freeman Highway in Lewes, Sussex County, Delaware.jpg

The southern terminus of the Cape May–Lewes Ferry is located in Lewes. The ferry provides passenger and automobile ferry service between southern Delaware and southern New Jersey, crossing the Delaware Bay to North Cape May, New Jersey, and serves as part of US 9. The ferry crossing is {{convert|17|mi|km}} long and takes 85 minutes.{{cite web|url=http://cmlf.com/AboutUs/tabid/101/Default.aspx|title=Welcome Aboard|publisher=Cape May-Lewes Ferry|access-date=September 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530161428/http://cmlf.com/AboutUs/tabid/101/Default.aspx|archive-date=May 30, 2014|url-status=live}} Cape Water Tours & Taxi operates a round-trip water taxi service between Lewes and Dewey Beach via the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal on Friday evenings in the summer months, offering access to dining and nightlife in Dewey Beach.{{cite web|title=Water Taxi Service Is Available On Friday Nights|publisher=Cape Water Tours & Taxi|url=https://www.capewatertaxi.com/services/water-taxi-service-friday-night-only.html|access-date=December 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231103445/https://www.capewatertaxi.com/services/water-taxi-service-friday-night-only.html|archive-date=December 31, 2017|url-status=dead}}

DART First State operates the Lewes Transit Center park and ride just outside Lewes along DE 1. The transit center serves local bus routes providing service across Sussex County, with expanded Beach Bus service to the Delaware Beaches in the summer months, and inter-county bus service to other part of Delaware. This park and ride serves the Route 201 bus to the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk, the Route 204 bus which heads along Savannah Road into Lewes to Cape Henlopen Drive and the Cape May–Lewes Ferry terminal and south to Rehoboth Beach, the Route 206 bus to Georgetown, and the Route 208 bus to Ocean City, Maryland. The Route 305 "Beach Connection" bus provides service on weekends and holidays in the summer to the Lewes Transit Center Park and Ride from Wilmington, the Christiana Mall, Middletown, and Dover. The Route 307 bus provides year-round service to Milford, Frederica, and Dover.{{cite web|url=http://www.dartfirststate.com/information/routes/index.shtml|title=Routes and Schedules|publisher=DART First State|access-date=2013-08-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815034410/http://www.dartfirststate.com/information/routes/index.shtml|archive-date=2013-08-15|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dartfirststate.com/information/routes/pdfs/summer/rt997.pdf?date=1526829609838|title=DART Beach Bus - DART To The Beach|publisher=DART First State|access-date=May 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521021636/https://www.dartfirststate.com/information/routes/pdfs/summer/rt997.pdf?date=1526829609838|archive-date=May 21, 2018|url-status=live}} The Delaware Department of Transportation built the Lewes Transit Center Park and Ride, with groundbreaking taking place on March 9, 2016 and the park and ride opening in May 2017.{{cite web |url=https://publicmeetings.delaware.gov/meeting/18137 |title=State of Delaware Workshop - Lewes Park & Ride and Transit Maintenance Facility |publisher=State of Delaware |access-date=May 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516103313/https://publicmeetings.delaware.gov/meeting/18137 |archive-date=May 16, 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite press release|title=Groundbreaking for Lewes Transit Center Celebrated Today|publisher=DART First State|date=March 9, 2016|url=http://www.dartfirststate.com/dtc.ejs?command=PublicDTCPressReleaseDisplay&id=5941|access-date=December 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222131348/http://dartfirststate.com/dtc.ejs?command=PublicDTCPressReleaseDisplay&id=5941|archive-date=December 22, 2016|url-status=live}} The Delaware River and Bay Authority operates a shuttle bus route in the summer months that connects the Cape May–Lewes Ferry to the Tanger Outlets and Rehoboth Beach.{{cite web|url=https://www.cmlf.com/getting-here-getting-around|title=Getting Here & Getting Around|date=20 April 2017|publisher=Cape May-Lewes Ferry|access-date=June 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816154333/https://www.cmlf.com/getting-here-getting-around|archive-date=August 16, 2017|url-status=live}} The city of Lewes formerly operated the Lewes Line bus service serving points of interest in the city daily from May to September.{{cite web|title=Lewes Line|publisher=City of Lewes|url= https://www.ci.lewes.de.us/363/Lewes-Line|access-date=May 23, 2022}}{{cite news|last=Clark|first=Kirstyn|title=Lewes Line Ends One Year Early Following Council Vote|publisher=WBOC-TV|location=Salisbury, MD|date=February 14, 2024|url=https://www.wboc.com/news/lewes-line-ends-one-year-early-following-council-vote/article_33970124-cb90-11ee-bd9c-8f6d79e4c911.html|access-date=February 14, 2024}}

Lewes was served by a branch of the Delaware Coast Line Railroad that originated in Georgetown, whereupon transfers could be made to trains north to Dover and Wilmington. Passenger trains operated on this branch by its predecessor company, the Pennsylvania Railroad, but ended between 1936 and 1938.Official Guide of the Railways, August 1936, Pennsylvania Railroad sectionOfficial Guide of the Railways, August 1938, Pennsylvania Railroad section The Maryland, Delaware & Virginia Railway operated a passenger train route from Lewes that followed a path to the north of the DCL route. It followed a path through Milton, Ellendale, Greenwood, crossing the state border into Maryland, then continuing further west to Love Point, whereupon travelers would connect with a ferry to Baltimore.Official Guide of the Railways, [unknown month] 1921, Maryland, Delaware & Virginia Railway section This service was replaced by bus service by early 1932.Official Guide of the Railways, February 1932, Maryland, Delaware & Virginia Railway section

A rail with trail known as the Georgetown-Lewes Trail opened along the railroad line on October 19, 2016, with future plans to extend the trail to Georgetown.{{cite news|last=Murray|first=Molly|title=New connector trail opens in Lewes|work=The News Journal|location=Wilmington, DE|date=October 19, 2016|url=http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2016/10/19/new-connector-trail-opens-lewes/92412072/|access-date=November 27, 2017}} In 2017, it was announced the Delaware Coast Line Railroad would be abandoned between Cool Spring and Lewes after the swing bridge over the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal was closed due to being structurally unsound and repairs were determined to be too costly.{{cite news|url=http://www.capegazette.com/article/cool-spring-lewes-railroad-be-decommissioned/137466|title=Cool Spring to Lewes railroad to be decommissioned|last=Roth|first=Nick|date=July 11, 2017|newspaper=Cape Gazette|access-date=August 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825020841/http://www.capegazette.com/article/cool-spring-lewes-railroad-be-decommissioned/137466|archive-date=August 25, 2017|url-status=live}} The Junction and Breakwater Trail is a rail trail for bicyclists and hikers that connects Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, running {{convert|6|mi|km}} mostly along a former Penn Central Railroad right-of-way.{{cite web|title=Junction & Breakwater: Biking and Hiking Trail|publisher=Lewes Chamber of Commerce|url=https://www.leweschamber.com/trails/junction-breakwater-biking-and-hiking-trail|access-date=February 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207123405/https://www.leweschamber.com/trails/junction-breakwater-biking-and-hiking-trail|archive-date=February 7, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Junction Breakwater Trail|publisher=Visit Delaware|url=https://www.visitdelaware.com/listings/junction-breakwater-trail/2494/|access-date=February 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207182803/https://www.visitdelaware.com/listings/junction-breakwater-trail/2494/|archive-date=February 7, 2018|url-status=live}}

File:Lewes Town Clock.jpg

The Lewes Board of Public Works (BPW) provides electricity, water, and sewer service to the city. The BPW was established by an act of the Delaware General Assembly on March 15, 1901.{{cite web|title=Home|publisher=Lewes Board of Public Works|url=http://lewesbpw.delaware.gov|access-date=June 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619052113/http://lewesbpw.delaware.gov/|archive-date=June 19, 2017|url-status=live}} Lewes formerly had a power plant that generated electricity for the city, but the plant's usage was reduced as the city brought in power from outside and the plant was shut down in the 1970s due to rising fuel costs. Lewes currently purchases power from Constellation which is transmitted to the city over Delmarva Power lines.{{cite web|title=About BPW|publisher=Lewes Board of Public Works|url=http://lewesbpw.delaware.gov/2014/10/30/about-lewes-bpw/|access-date=June 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626160425/http://lewesbpw.delaware.gov/2014/10/30/about-lewes-bpw/|archive-date=June 26, 2017|url-status=live}} The BPW is a member of the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation.{{cite web|title=Members|publisher=Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation|url=http://www.demecinc.net/Members/|access-date=August 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815063425/http://www.demecinc.net/Members/|archive-date=August 15, 2017|url-status=live}} Trash collection is provided by the city while recycling collection is provided under contract by Republic Services.{{cite web|title=Trash Collection|publisher=City of Lewes Delaware|url=http://www.ci.lewes.de.us/index.cfm?ref=40200&ref6=18|access-date=September 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906091442/http://www.ci.lewes.de.us/index.cfm?ref=40200&ref6=18|archive-date=September 6, 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Recycling|publisher=City of Lewes Delaware|url=http://www.ci.lewes.de.us/index.cfm?ref=40200&ref6=19|access-date=September 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906091005/http://www.ci.lewes.de.us/index.cfm?ref=40200&ref6=19|archive-date=September 6, 2017|url-status=dead}} Natural gas service in Lewes is provided by Chesapeake Utilities.{{cite web|title=Delmarva Service Territory|publisher=Chesapeake Utilities|url=http://www.chpk.com/delmarva-service-territory/|access-date=August 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815063806/http://www.chpk.com/delmarva-service-territory/|archive-date=August 15, 2017|url-status=live}}

Beebe Healthcare Medical Center is located in Lewes, founded in 1916 by the brothers, Drs. James Beebe and Richard C. Beebe.{{cite web|url= http://www.beebemed.org/html/about.cfm|title= About Beebe Healthcare Medical Center|publisher= Beebe Medical Center|access-date= October 14, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121013081220/http://beebemed.org/html/about.cfm|archive-date= October 13, 2012|url-status= live}} The hospital's name was changed to Beebe Healthcare in 2013 and 2016 marked its 100th anniversary.{{cite web|url=http://www.beebehealthcare.org/about-beebe-healthcare|title=About Beebe Healthcare - Beebe Healthcare|website=beebehealthcare.org|access-date=2015-09-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905114850/http://www.beebehealthcare.org/about-beebe-healthcare|archive-date=2015-09-05|url-status=live}}

• Eugene Bookhammer, politician and 18th lieutenant governor of Delaware.
• Jay Fleming, photographer
• David Hall, politician and 15th governor of Delaware.
• Joseph Maull, physician, politician and 34th governor of Delaware.
• Pieter Corneliszoon Plockhoy, early menonite reformer and settler to Lewes in 1663.
• Betsy Rawls, an American LPGA Tour professional golfer, she won eight major championships and 55 LPGA Tour career events, becoming a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
• Caleb Rodney, politician and 23rd governor of Delaware.
• Daniel Rodney, politician and 19th governor of Delaware.
• Ebe W. Tunnell, politician and 50th governor of Delaware.
• Otto Wolgast, early settler to the Zwaanendael who helped found Lewes in 1663.

On August 21, 2013, a helicopter reportedly dumped $10,000 in multiple dollar bill denominations over Lewes Harbor in the fulfillment of a deceased local resident's last wish.{{cite web |url=http://www.hlntv.com/article/2013/08/21/money-dropped-helicopter-ten-thousand-last-wish?sr=fb082213helicoptermoneydrop430p |title=Look, up in the sky! It's... money!? |publisher=HLN News |access-date=2013-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826065613/http://www.hlntv.com/article/2013/08/21/money-dropped-helicopter-ten-thousand-last-wish?sr=fb082213helicoptermoneydrop430p |archive-date=2013-08-26 |url-status=live }}

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{{portal|Delaware}}

{{Commons category}}

{{EB1911 poster|Lewes (Delaware)|Lewes, Delaware}}

• {{wikivoyage inline|Lewes (Delaware)|Lewes, Delaware}}
• {{Official website|http://www.ci.lewes.de.us/ }}
• [http://www.historiclewes.org/ The Lewes Historical Society]
• [http://www.delmarvabeachguide.com/lewes/index.html Lewes, DE Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080211084546/http://www.delmarvabeachguide.com/lewes/index.html |date=February 11, 2008 }}
• [http://www.city-data.com/city/Lewes-Delaware.html City-Data.com] Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Lewes

{{Sussex County, Delaware}}

{{Delaware}}

{{Salisbury metropolitan area}}

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Category:Cities in Sussex County, Delaware

Category:Populated places established in 1631

Category:Cities in Delaware

Category:Former county seats in Delaware

Category:Beaches of Delaware

Category:Salisbury metropolitan area

Category:1631 establishments in the Dutch Empire

Category:Populated coastal places in Delaware