Georgetown Travel Guide

On May 9, 1791, 10 state appointed commissioners headed by President of the State Senate George Mitchell negotiated the purchase of 76 acres in central Sussex County and Commissioner Rhodes Shankland began the survey by laying out "a spacious square of 100 yards each way." Eventually the Town was laid out in a circle one mile across, centered on the original square surveyed by Shankland and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Courthouse was constructed on the southeastern side of the Town square as was the Jail and on October 26, 1791, the Seat of Justice was officially moved to the new county seat and named Georgetown in honor of George Mitchell. Lots were laid out measuring 60 by 120 feet and sold to recoup the State's investment. The original Courthouse was replaced by the present structure in 1837,

Today, Georgetown remains the county seat of Sussex County.  Located at the junction of US 113 and US 9, Georgetown is home to a campus of Delaware Technical and Community College and the University of Delaware.