HISTORY

Ocean View is part of the vast area representing the ancestral homelands of the Lenape/Nanticoke tribes [1]. In the colonial period, this area was part of land known as the Baltimore Hundred, named for Lord Baltimore, and, prior to 1775, was part of Worchester County, Maryland [2]. Once state boundary lines were determined after the American Revolution, the Baltimore Hundred became part of Delaware’s Sussex County [2]. Some areas of Sussex county offered access to the Atlantic Ocean via the Indian River Bay [3].  Specifically, White Creek flows from south to the north into Indian River Bay and connects Assawoman Canal to the bay [3]. One Sussex County property, known as the Alvin Hudson farm, bordered White Creek [4]. In 1970, Jack and Naomi Hickman purchased the Hudson farm, and, in 1971, this property was merged with farmland owned by Jake Banks to create the 251-lot subdivision of White’s Creek Manor [4]. Mr. Hickman, a real estate broker, developed both the White’s Creek Manor community and White’s Creek Marina [4,5]. In 2002, Mr. Hickman sold the marina to Mike Jahnigen of Vines Creek Marina Limited Partnership, and it briefly remained under Mr. Jahnigen’s control until the requirements for incorporation were achieved [6,7].  

The history of White’s Creek Marina continues to untwine as more details are investigated. Suggestions for sourced revisions to the current historical understanding are encouraged and can be made by contacting whitescreekmarina@gmail.com. 

References:  

[1] The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape. (2007). Our Tribal History.The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape, An American Indian Tribe. https://nanticoke-lenape.info/history.htm

[2] Delaware.gov. (n.d.). Baltimore Hundred. Delaware Public Archives…your window to the past. https://archives.delaware.gov/delaware-historical-markers/baltimore-hundred-23/

[3] Delaware.gov. (2022. White Creek Dredging Project. https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/watershed-stewardship/waterways/white-creek-dredging/

[4] Several Residents of White’s Creek Manor Property Owner’s Association for The Board of Governors. (2007). Chapter 1 - In The Beginning. The History of White’s Creek Manor Circa 1971-1991, Revised 2007.

[5] Melson’s Funeral Services. (2011). Jack Hickman |1932-2011| Obituary. https://www.melsonfuneralservices.com/obituary/1177261

[6] ChamberOfCommerce.com. (2023). Vines Creek Marina. https://www.chamberofcommerce.com/united-states/delaware/dagsboro/marina/1247035-vines-creek-marina

[7] Vine’s Creek Marina Limited Partnership, by its general Partner, Little Red School House, Inc. (2002). Declaration Of Condominium For Whites Creek Marina.