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Hockessin, DE

Frequently asked questions

Hockessin, DE

Hockessin is a census-designated place (CDP) in New Castle County, Delaware, United States.

Hockessin came into existence as a little village in 1688 when several families settled in the area. The village was named after the Lenape word hokes, meaning good bark or good bark hill. There is a second and more likely origin for the name. While the word Hockessin does look like a Native American word, the name Hockessin did not show up on any early maps until many years after the Hockessin Meeting House was built and what is now the Village of Hockessin was never settled by the Native Americans, while they did have a hunting camp nearby. There was no town named Hockessin and the area was referred to as Mill Creek Hundred. The actual name is believed to be derived from one of the first settled properties which was named Occasion and settled by William Cox in 1726 and also the location of the first Quaker meetings in the area before Hockessin Meeting House was built a few years later. The earliest known use of the word Occasion was in 1734 in a property deed for this property. The road to the Hockessin Meeting House, currently Old Wilmington Road, was written as Ockession Road on a map in 1808. The first Roman Catholic church in Delaware was located in Hockessin. Missionary priests from Maryland established the Coffee Run Mission in 1790.

The A. Armstrong Farm, Coffee Run Mission Site, Hockessin Friends Meetinghouse, T. Pierson Farm, Public School No. 29, Springer Farm, and Wilmington and Western Railroad are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. More recently added sites to the National Register of Historic Places include Tweed's Tavern, the home of Negro League baseball player James "Nip" Winters, Colored School #107C, St. John the Evangelist Church, the Daniel Nichols house, and the Cox/Phillips/Mitchell Agricultural Complex.

The community is near the northwestern border of Delaware, within 1.2 mi (1.9 km) of the Pennsylvania border on the east bank of Mill Creek. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 10.0 square miles (26 km2), of which 10.0 square miles (26 km2) is land and 0.10% is water.

Health and wellness are priorities in Hockessin, with multiple facilities and initiatives promoting a healthy lifestyle. The city offers different health and wellness centers and services for its residents. Hockessin Chiropractic Centre offers chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, and nutritional counseling. Truly Yoga provides various yoga classes for all levels, including vinyasa, Hatha, and restorative yoga. Hockessin Athletic Club is a fitness center offering a range of wellness services such as personal training, group fitness classes, and massage therapy. Therapeutic Wellness Group provides holistic health services including chiropractic care, nutritional counseling, and wellness workshops. Hockessin Holistic Health offers chiropractic care, physical therapy, massage therapy, and nutritional counseling for comprehensive wellness care. Beebe Healthcare operates a walk-in urgent care center in Hockessin, providing convenient medical services for non-life-threatening conditions. ChristianaCare Primary Care at Hockessin offers comprehensive primary care services to patients of all ages. 

Top sites in Hockessin, DE are Lantana Square, Marshall Steam Museum, and Auburn Valley State Park.

Population: 13,608 (2023). ZIP code: 19707. Area code: 302. Elevation: 259 ft (79 m). Area: 10.05 sq mi (26.02 km2).

FAQs

What is Hockessin, DE known for?

There are so many things to do in Hockessin, Delaware, it is one of those little towns that hide some most amazing secrets. But this shouldn’t be surprising; almost all of Delaware’s population lives in a small town (rather than our one “big city” of Wilmington). Hockessin is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, who love to visit the Ashland Nature Center. It's one of the best things to do in Hockessin, DE. Delaware's most beautiful butterfly house is located at this natural preserve.

What is the history of Hockessin, DE?

Hockessin, Delaware began as a village around the year 1688, shortly after William Penn took possession of his new land grant to the north. The name may have roots in the Lenape word “hokes,” but is most likely related to the first properties named Ocasson settled by William Cox around the year 1726. The Hockessin Friends Meetinghouse at 1501 Old Wilmington Road was built in 1738; the date marker in the stone structure stands below a gable roof with a cornice and crown molding at the roof line. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The Coffee Run Mission started as a log cabin built in 1790. It was the first Catholic church in Delaware, a precursor to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.

What makes Hockessin, DE a historical place?

A tavern dating back to the late 18th century still stands, as does a place of worship which started its life 38 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed. Unknown to many people, Hockessin was a major conduit for escaping slaves on the Underground Railroad. The Hockessin Historical Society highlights many of these structures and welcomes visitors from all who want to learn about the region’s rich heritage. Tweed’s Tavern dates back to the year 1790. It was originally known as the “Mudfort.” Measuring 21 feet by 27 feet, the two-story log structure is listed in a colonial-era tax assessment as a large building with a cookery (kitchen), barn, and stables.

Sources

New Castle County DE

Wikipedia 

GH Life Magazine 

Only in Your State

Marshall Steam Museum

Lantana Square

Auburn Valley State Park

Hockessin Chiropractic Centre

Truly Yoga

Hockessin Athletic Club

Therapeutic Wellness Group

Hockessin Holistic Health

Beebe Healthcare

ChristianaCare Primary Care at Hockessin

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