Back in the 1700s, Cantwell’s Bridge was a bustling Delaware town where travelers along the railroad could stop for the night. It was established on the banks of the Appoquinimink Creek, and quickly became a valuable port town where agricultural goods were shipped out to the Delaware Bay. In the 1800s, the town was renamed Odessa (after the Ukrainian port city).

Right now, the town is home to fewer than 300 residents, but visitors still come through to see the Odessa Historic District!
Flickr / Lee Cannon
The district encompasses most of the town, with 82 commercial and residential historic buildings recognized by the National Register of Historic Places.
Flickr / Lee Cannon
Most of the homes are large brick Colonial-style buildings, but there are some interesting stand-outs, like the bright red Corbet-Sharp house!
Flickr / Lee Cannon

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The Old Academy is one of the most recognizable buildings in town, and it is absolutely a work of art.
Wikimedia Commons / Smallbones
Many of the historic homes have beautiful gardens that visitors can walk through. They're hidden treasures in the spring and summer!
Flickr / Lee Cannon
After a visit to Odessa, be sure to pop into the original stagecoach stop tavern! The building dates back 300 years, and Cantwell's Tavern has recently re-opened to serve delicious colonial fare.
Flickr / Jimmy Emerson, DVM

To learn more about this small historic town in Delaware, visit the Historic Odessa Foundation online. You can plan a visit, mark your calendar for a tour, or just read more about the history of this important Delaware town!

We love historic towns – and if you do, too, you’ll want to read about 9 historic Delaware towns that will transport you to the past and plan a trip visiting the most storied cities and towns in the First State. What are you waiting for — let’s go!

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