The Strangest Road Names in Delaware and How They Got Them
Venture about 30 minutes south of Wilmington, Delaware, and you’ll find yourself in the charming town of Middletown, home to a peculiar stretch of road called Chicken Alley. This narrow lane winds through the historic district, where century-old brick homes stand alongside modern shops. The odd name dates back to a time when farmers used to drive their flocks along this path to market, and locals half-jokingly dubbed it Chicken Alley. Walking or biking this route in spring reveals budding dogwoods and the sounds of songbirds, making it a quaint, offbeat detour from more trafficked thoroughfares.
Drive roughly 20 minutes northeast of Dover, the state capital, and explore the picturesque Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna. Here, a road named Slaughter Neck Road leads visitors through tidal marshes and mudflats teeming with migratory birds. The name derives not from violence, but from a Native American term corrupted by early settlers. Today, the refuge is a sanctuary for bird watchers and photographers, especially in fall migration when thousands of snow geese blanket the skies. The road itself offers a scenic, peaceful drive flanked by salt marsh grasses that shimmer in the morning light.
In the coastal town of Rehoboth Beach, about two hours south of Wilmington, curious travelers often notice a street called Gills Neck Road. This road runs parallel to the Rehoboth Bay shore, providing a serene route to the nearby Cape Henlopen State Park. The name “Gills Neck” is a nod to an old maritime family who once owned land here and were renowned boatbuilders. Cycling along this road in early fall allows visitors to catch breathtaking views of golden marshes and the distant Atlantic, especially near the park’s Gordons Pond Trail, known for its easy 3.5-mile loop and salt marsh vistas.
Heading northwest from Newark, a half-hour drive from Wilmington, you’ll find Hares Neck Road tucked into the woods near White Clay Creek State Park. The park is a haven for hikers and nature lovers, with trails ranging from gentle strolls to rugged scrambles. Hares Neck Road snakes through quiet farmland and forest edges, its odd name possibly linked to the native hare populations once abundant here. Springtime is ideal for exploring this area when wildflowers burst along the trails and the creek’s rushing waters sparkle under the sun.
Travel about 15 minutes north of the coastal city of Lewes, and you come upon Love Point Road, located in the quiet community of Harbeson. This road’s romantic moniker is tied to a local legend of star-crossed lovers who met secretly along this stretch. Nearby, the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge offers a striking contrast—wild marshes and tidal creeks attracting rare birds and wildlife. Autumn mornings here are magical, with mist hovering over the wetlands and the golden light spotlighting the road’s bucolic charm.
In the heart of Wilmington itself, the small but historically rich neighborhood of Little Italy boasts a street named Munchkin Street. Just east of the downtown Riverfront, this quirky name stands out amid an area known for its Italian-American heritage and vibrant festivals. Walking this street during the summer’s Festa Italiana immerses visitors in lively music, traditional foods, and colorful stalls, tying the whimsical road name to a community rooted in cultural celebration and warmth.
Finally, a drive about 40 minutes south of Dover through the rolling landscapes of the town of Felton introduces you to Twelfth Street Road. Despite sounding ordinary, the road’s name has puzzled locals for decades, tied to an old survey grid that uniquely numbered roads instead of naming them after families or landmarks. This rural corridor offers access to the nearby Killens Pond State Park, where visitors can paddle the lake, hike shaded trails, or picnic under towering pines. The late afternoon light here softens the landscape beautifully, inviting a quiet reflection on how even the most unassuming names hint at the layers of Delaware’s rich history.