Zoar, Delaware Explained

Zoar, Delaware
Settlement Type:Unincorporated community
Pushpin Map:USA Delaware#USA
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within the state of Delaware
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Delaware
Subdivision Type2:County
Unit Pref:Imperial
Population As Of:2000
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Coordinates:38.6469°N -75.2972°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP codes
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:216261

Zoar is an unincorporated community located in Sussex County, Delaware, United States.

Geography

Zoar is located in the central part of Sussex County, where Delaware Route 30 crosses Zoar Road. The community lies between Stockley and Hollyville. It is near Mount Joy.

History

The Zoar Methodist Church was founded in the late 18th century. Originally a log building, around 1802, the original Zoar Church was replaced by a cypress-shingle structure. The church was incorporated in 1810. A fire destroyed the second church in 1910, and the present structure was built. A historical marker was placed by the Delaware Public Archives in 1994.[1] This church still operates, and is now known as the Zoar United Methodist Church.

According to the State Archives, Zoar camp meetings began being held soon after the 1802 land purchase. These religious revival meetings were held in the grove adjoining the church. By 1893, the Zoar Camp was being called one of the oldest and most successful camps in Sussex County.[2] The last meeting was held in 1918.[3]

By the middle of the 20th century, Zoar had become a settlement,[4] located 5.5 miles southeast of Georgetown.[4] County Road 48 is now known as Zoar Road[5] in honor of the community. This road forms part of the boundary of Delaware's 19th Senate district,[6] bisecting the community.

In 2019, Delaware Electric Cooperative announced plans to build a second substation in Zoar.[7] By 2020, plans had shifted, and the original Zoar substation would be replaced; according to representatives, the upgrades were necessary due to the rapid population growth in the area, and were projected to cost between $5 million and $6 million.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Zoar United Methodist Church . Delaware Public Archives . en-US. 2021-07-29.
  2. News: Aug 19, 1893 . Religious Enthusiasm . en . 1 . Wilmington Evening Journal . 2021-07-30.
  3. Web site: Camp Meetings . 2012 . Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley . Maynard, W. Barksdale . 2021-07-31.
  4. Web site: L.W. Heck . A.J. Wraight . D.J. Orth . J.R. Carter . L.G. Van Winkle . Janet Hazen . Delaware Place Names . 1966 . U.S. Department of the Interior . 2021-07-29.
  5. Web site: Sussex County Road Lookup Table . 2018 . 2021-07-29.
  6. Web site: Title 29 – State Government . Delaware.gov. 2021-07-29.
  7. Web site: Co-op Invests in Reliability Projects – Delaware Living . 2021-07-30 . Delaware Living.
  8. Web site: Transmission Project to Improve Reliability – Delaware Living . 2021-07-30. Delaware Living.