National Register of Historic Places

Collins Potato House

Laurel, Sussex County, Delaware
Listed
November 15, 1990
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
90001692

About this property

The Collins Potato House is located near Laurel, Delaware, one of the last surviving examples of its building type. The southern part of Delaware saw a sweet potato boom from 1900 until blight struck in the 1940s. In order to store the crops, potato houses were built. The Collins house was the first to be built in the Little Creek Hundred region and dates to the late 19th century. Measuring 19 feet (5.8 m) by 30 feet (9.1 m), the two-story balloon-frame structure consists of a central aisle flanked by bins on both levels. There are five bins per side. An interior stair provides access to the first floor. Freeze protection was provided by a coal stove. Wall construction is in three layers, with interior planking, sheathing and weatherboard siding. The front elevation on the west side features door at the first and second floors, while the rear elevation has a door at the first floor and a window at the second. Small windows are in both gables for ventilation. The Collins Potato House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 15, 1990.

Location

Laurel, Sussex County, Delaware
38.52655, -75.60465

Categories

AGRICULTUREARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Native Heritage
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Nearby Historic Sites

Wright Potato House
Industrial
0.5 mi
Ralph Potato House
Industrial
2 mi
Phillips Potato House
Industrial
2.1 mi
Laurel Historic District
Listed
2.8 mi
Spring Garden
Industrial
3.3 mi

Questions about this property

When was Collins Potato House listed on the National Register?

Collins Potato House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 15, 1990.

What type of historic resource is Collins Potato House?

Collins Potato House is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Collins Potato House?

The period of significance for Collins Potato House is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Collins Potato House?

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