Hockessin, Delaware borders Pennsylvania and Maryland with a population of 12,902 according to the 2000 census. Pronounced �HOE-kessin� the name is derived from the Lenape word �hokesa� which means �pieces of bark�.

Hockessin, Delaware can trace its start back to 40 families that laid the foundation to the village in 1688. These European settlers were attracted to its rolling hills and scenic country, reasons that still attract many residents today. In 1738 Hockessin Friends Meeting House was built and became a center of Colonial religious social life. Hockessin continued to grow with the building of the historic Tweed�s Tavern, the Trolley Service that ran from Wilmington to West Chester, PA and had a stop in Hockessin (1906 to 1926) and the opening of the Sunny Hills School in 1930 which later was renamed the Sanford School were just some of the reasons settlers started moving to the Hockessin area.

In 1930 Hockessin�s population was 421 according to the News Journal archives dated June 28, 1931. Once known for its kaolin clay pits and snuff mills to mushroom and diary farms it is now transforming into an affluent residential community. Today, Hockessin is one of Delaware�s fastest growing areas. Since 1990 the population has tripled. Hockessin still has the rolling hills, farmscapes and scenic country roads, but many newer communities have sprung up. The easy commute for residents to Wilmington or Newark continues to make it a popular place to live.

The main road artery of Hockessin is Lancaster Pike (Route 48) that was used by farmers to bring produce into the city of Wilmington. In the early days it was a toll road and in the late 1700s Delaware farmers cut off the road for competing farmers from Lancaster County, PA. The road would later become a public road without tolls and in the 1920�s would be designated Route 48. Today the road is going through a $6 million transformation that will help alleviate traffic and make the road safer for motorists.

The community continues to define itself with the building of the Hockessin Public Library in 1994. It is a 14,600 square foot building providing nearly 160,000 items. Delaware welcomed its second Police Athletic League �PAL� in Hockessin in March 2001. PAL�s mission is to reach out to youth with programs which address citizenship, self-esteem, substance abuse and respect for law and order. Today this branch has gathered 5,000 members since its opening. They offer a Homework Club, tutoring, internet access computer room, game room, weight room and open gym. This community asset continues to give back to the residents of Hockessin.

Residents of Hockessin, Delaware enjoy large personal tracts of land; however their town is adorned with 4 parks. The Swift Park is within the core of the village. This park provides play equipment, three little league baseball fields, a Babe Ruth baseball field, a soccer field and a walking trail. The Smith Property located on Grant Avenue also provides additional soccer fields and walking trails. Hockessin Park I and II are two smaller parks for residents. The Hockessin Park I is a three-acre passive park behind Mr. Docs with Hockessin Park II adjacent to the PAL center and sports a baseball field. The newest park to Hockessin is the Valley Road Park which is approximately 30 acres and is located at the intersection of Limestone and Valley Roads. This park will provide a new home for the relocated historic Tweeds Tavern and includes other recreational fields, bicycle trails and pedestrian paths to nearby residential communities.

Residents also enjoy the renowned Ashland Nature Center, part of the Delaware Nature Society. At Ashland one can explore four self-guiding nature trails traversing 81 acres of rolling terrain through meadows, woodlands and marshes. The nature center manages more than 1,110 acres of wildlife habitat for the preservation of future generations. More than 1.3 million children, teens and adults have attended their educational programs that help visitors better enjoy and appreciate our natural environment. Throughout the year, they offer more than 300 hands-on nature programs geared to every age group from toddlers to mature adults.

Residents love the fresh premium ice cream of Woodside Farm Creamery, one of Delaware�s few remaining Centennial Farms, the traditional 4th of July Parade, nature walks and local shopping in the Shops of Hockessin Corner or Lantana Square. This truly is a quant suburb that appeals to the people looking for all the quiet rural life with all the amenities of the modern world!

Police Athletic League

Ashland Nature Center

Woodside Farm Creamery