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Delaware Township

116 Wilson Hill Road
570-828-2347

Delaware Township's resources begins with its residents. As Supervisors, we are humbled by the diversity of skills and talents that exist within our community. Many committees and local organizations have been established because of one idea, from one individual who was determined to bring that idea to fruition. In turn, those local committees and organizations proved to supply unique and beneficial services to countless Delaware Township residents.

Delaware Township has a populace of 6500 residents, all living within a picturesque area of 44.2 square miles or 28,288 acres. We welcome planned growth that adheres to the environmentally sound lifestyle we all desire. 

Delaware Township has its own Municipal Building, Road Department, Library and Recreation Facility. The facility boasts several baseball / football fields, hiking trails, a playground and pavilion. Our school district, Delaware Valley, challenges its students to maximize their intellectual, emotional, social, and physical potential through a variety of educational opportunities.

Dingman's Falls Johnny Bee Road Delaware Township consists of rolling hills and beautiful vistas, pristine waterfalls and sparkling lakes, charming communities, quaint shopping areas, and an array of outdoor sports, including hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, baseball and football.

Our Township has much to offer, making it a wonderful place to live, raise a family, work or visit. We proudly invite you to explore our home: Delaware Township.

History:

Delaware Township's recorded history began about 1766, making it the oldest of Pike County's townships. It receives its name from its only natural border, the Delaware River. Many of its bordering townships were once all or part of Delaware Township. In 1829, Delaware Township gave birth to Lehman Township; and in 1851, part of Delaware Township became Porter Township.

Dutch settlers had been utilizing the fertile lands on both sides of the river since 1682. In 1735, an adventurous young man, Andreas Dingman, selected the rich river bottom land of Pennsylvania. His site become known as Dingman's Choice.

Andreas Dingman built a flat boat to cross the Delaware River to his land. Later, he operated a ferry, charging others a small fee to cross the river. By 1834, this ferry gave way to the Dingman's Bridge, and was chartered for both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Still in operation, the bridge is run by the descendants of Andreas Dingman. It is the one of a few privately owned and operated bridges in the United States. The Ferry House, which stands beside the bridge, was built in 1803 by Judge Daniel Dingman, and is the oldest building in Dingmans Ferry. In 1979, both the bridge and its Ferry House became classified as Pike County Historical Sites.

Dingman's Choice, which originated as one young man's dream, gradually became known as The Village of Dingman's Ferry. Since 1776, or for 200 years, the village was the heart of Delaware Township. Families lived amid the mills, hotels, restaurants, grocery shops, beauty shop, laundry, garages, school, fire and telephone companies, and three churches. Just as today, baseball, fishing, and hunting were favorite pastimes in the area. Beyond everyday life and trials, townspeople gathered for carnivals and other festivities, solidifying the community.

In 1955, two hurricanes hit the region within one week's time, causing a freak flood in the area. With flood waters quickly rising, bridges became impassable.

In the aftermath, one hundred had perished, and millions of dollars in damage resulted. Thus, the Tocks Island Dam project was born, to prevent any future flooding. The Village, to be included in the stretch to be flooded and dammed would, after 200 years, cease to exist.

The government cited Eminent Domain, and Congress authorized the project. The entire village was wiped out, in preparation of a dam that would never exist; the property eventually becoming Federal park land.