Date Posted: Friday, June 6th, 2014

Last week, Delaware Public Archives staff dedicated a new historic marker at the New Castle County Workhouse at Greenbank. The Workhouse dates back to 1901 and  holds the unique distinction of being the first penal institution in the United States to employ armed female guards.

Nicknamed “Annie Oakleys” for their excellent shooting ability with the machine guns and rifles they carried, the women were first introduced to the Workhouse in 1943 as a solution to the loss of many male guards due to the war effort. They were chosen from a pool of more than 50 applicants who responded to a newspaper advertisement for “women, age 21 to 35 for outside guard duty in towers.” All of those hired were Delawareans; many were married with children and made their home either in Wilmington or in the suburbs. Stationed in the Workhouse’s three towers, the female guards worked 8-hour shifts, 48 hours per week and were compensated with a monthly salary of $110.00. Out of concern for their safety, the names of the eleven guards were not released; as of 2013 only four guards had been successfully identified. 

 

Warden Elwood Wilson on the steps of the New Castle County Workhouse Delaware in World War II Photograph Collection RG 1325.206 Image #2962
Warden Elwood Wilson on the steps of the New Castle County Workhouse
Delaware in World War II Photograph Collection
RG 1325.206
Image #2962

 

The Delaware Public Archives operates the Historic Markers Program as part of its Outreach Services Section and places markers at historically significant locations and sites throughout the state. For more information about this program, please contact Kate Fair, Historic Markers Coordinator, at 302-744-5016.


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