The Historic Houses

The Corbit-Sharp House c. 1774, a National Historic Landmark, is a handsome example of the Philadelphia-Georgian style. Due to a recorded encounter at the Corbit-Sharp House between a fugitive slave named Sam and Daniel Corbit, an agent of the Underground Railroad, the Corbit-Sharp House is designated as part of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway and the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom of the National Park Service.

The Wilson-Warner House c. 1769 was constructed in the Delaware-Georgian style to affirm David Wilson's status as the town's most prosperous merchant. Today the house is furnished according to the "List of Sale" recorded in the family bankruptcy in 1829.

The Collins-Sharp House c.1700, one of Delaware’s oldest structures, is a center for educational programming. Hearth-cooking demonstrations feature documented recipes from the late 18th- and early 19th- centuries.

Local patron H. Rodney Sharp restored this and other buildings in Odessa in the middle of the last century, helping to preserve the community's unique legacy.

Philadelphia architect Samuel Sloan designed the First National Bank of Odessa, c. 1855. This stately structure serves as Historic Odessa's Visitors Center. The offices for the Historic Odessa Foundation are located on the second floor. The first floor is available for weddings, privates parties and special events. For more information, please call or email Jennifer Cabell (302) 378-4119.

The Pump House c. 1780 was built by William Corbit as housing for his tannery employees. The 18th century Cantwell’s Bridge was a rapidly growing community and the south side of Main Street was already heavily developed by 1780. This type of row construction was typical of Philadelphia and larger cities of the period and represented solidly built middle-class housing.

The Cantwell's Bridge Hotel and Tavern was built by prominent businessman, William Polk, in 1822 and was operated as such for the next 100 years. The simple, clean, classic Federal lines denote a sophisticated style rather than that of a "country" inn typical of small towns. Merchants, ship captains, and visitors to the busy port town of Cantwell's Bridge would have found comfort in the accommodations offered at this fine establishment. During Colonial times, most towns on busy travel routes had several taverns, and Odessa was no exception, with five taverns in addition to the beautiful