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Ebright Azimuth

Ebright Azimuth is the highest benchmark monument in the U.S. state of , located on Ebright Road near the border and marked by a geodetic survey disk denoting an of 447.85 feet (136.50 meters) above . Situated in a residential neighborhood north of Naamans Road and east of Delaware Route 202 in New Castle County, it represents the state's highest monumented , though nearby terrain reaches up to approximately 450 feet based on data. Determined as Delaware's pinnacle by the Delaware Geological Survey (DGS) and the National Geodetic Survey (NGS), it supplanted the former candidate of Centreville (elevation 445.58 feet) following precise surveys. As a drive-up highpoint requiring no hiking, Ebright Azimuth ranks as the second-lowest among the 50 highpoints, trailing only Florida's at 345 feet. A historical marker, installed in 1989 by the Delaware Public Archives (ID: NCC-85), commemorates the site at the intersection with Winterset Road in Wilmington.

Geography and Location

Elevation and Topography

The Ebright Azimuth benchmark monument stands at an official of 447.85 feet (136.50 meters) above , as measured by the National Geodetic Survey (NGS). This precise measurement establishes it as the highest monumented point in , situated along Ebright Road near the border. Geologically, Ebright Azimuth occupies a low rolling hill within Delaware's , an area of eroded metamorphic and igneous rocks overlain by a mantle of soil and sediment. The terrain features no significant rock outcrops or distinctive formations, typical of the province's subdued landscape, with elevations gradually increasing northward from the adjacent Atlantic Coastal Plain to the south. The of the hill is 40 feet (12 meters), indicating a modest rise relative to the surrounding low-relief countryside. While the denotes the official state highpoint, surveys reveal nearby terrain in an adjacent park reaching approximately 450 feet (137 meters), though the NGS marker remains the recognized reference for Delaware's maximum elevation.

Coordinates and Boundaries

Ebright Azimuth is situated at precise coordinates 39°50′09″N 75°31′09″W in , approximately 6.5 miles north of Wilmington. The site lies about 500 feet south of the Pennsylvania-Delaware state line, embedded within a residential neighborhood near High School at the intersection of Ebright Road and Ramblewood Drive. It is marked by a geodetic disk (NGS designation: EBRIGHT AZI) embedded in a monument, which serves as the defining reference at this . A commemorative sign highlights the site's importance, accompanied by landscaping and a curb extension for improved visibility, all set amid suburban development with adjacent roads and housing that sets it apart from more isolated state highpoints.

History and Development

Benchmark Establishment and Naming

The Ebright Azimuth benchmark was established in 1933 by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, predecessor to the National Geodetic Survey, as a horizontal and vertical control point to support regional surveying efforts. The site served as a reference for precise measurements in the expanding national geodetic network, which relied on such markers to map topography and boundaries across the United States. The name "Ebright Azimuth" honors James and Grant Ebright, local landowners whose property hosted the benchmark installation, while "Azimuth" denotes its specific function in determining directional angles for in geodetic work. The brass monument disk, stamped "EBRIGHT AZI 1933," explicitly references this azimuthal purpose, distinguishing it from standard elevation benchmarks. In 1985, the National Geodetic Survey and Geological Survey first identified the Ebright Azimuth as 's highest monumented point, with its elevation of 447.85 feet above confirmed through National Geodetic Survey data. This recognition solidified its status amid ongoing topographic assessments, though natural elevations nearby were later refined in 2007 using data. The original 1933 benchmark disk remains embedded in a post along the north side of Ebright Road, preserving its historical integrity despite subsequent developments on the site. In 1989, the Delaware Public Archives erected a state historical marker nearby to commemorate its significance as the state's highest . The marker was later relocated across Ebright Road to its current position on the south side, approximately 100 feet from the original .

Radio Tower Construction and Use

The radio tower at Ebright Azimuth was erected in 1947 by Western Union as the Brandywine microwave relay station, forming a key link in a chain of relay sites connecting New York City to Washington, D.C., for transmitting telegraph messages and early telephone signals. The site's selection leveraged the prior establishment of the Ebright benchmark, which confirmed its status as the highest elevation in Delaware and offered a strategic advantage for line-of-sight microwave transmission across the relatively flat Mid-Atlantic terrain. The original structure measured 100 feet in height, optimized for reliable signal propagation in this microwave network developed in the post-World War II era. By the 1980s, the tower was decommissioned from its primary microwave relay function as the widespread adoption of fiber optic cables provided a more efficient and higher-capacity alternative for long-distance communications. In the 1990s, Western Union divested the site amid broader shifts in the telecommunications industry, leading to its repurposing for VHF and UHF antennas that now support local television and radio broadcasting, as well as emergency communication services. This evolution extended the tower's height to approximately 240 feet to accommodate additional equipment, enhancing its utility for modern wireless applications while preserving the site's elevated position. The construction and subsequent modifications of the tower did not impact the benchmark's recorded elevation of 447.85 feet above , as the geodetic marker remains at ground level. However, the structure has become emblematic of Ebright Azimuth's role in regional communications infrastructure. No longer under ownership, the tower is currently maintained by private entities, including Tower Service, which leases space to broadcasters and other users.

Significance and Access

Status as Delaware Highpoint

Ebright Azimuth is officially designated as the highest point in Delaware by the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) and the Delaware Geological Survey, with its benchmark monument (NGS disk EBRIGHT AZI) measured at an elevation of 447.85 feet above sea level. This recognition is based on precise geodetic surveying, establishing it as the state's paramount benchmark for elevation. In the national context, Ebright Azimuth ranks as the 49th highest among the 50 highpoints, making it the second-lowest overall and surpassed only by Florida's at 345 feet. It forms a key part of the "Lower 48" highpointing challenge, where enthusiasts seek to visit the highest natural points across the , highlighting Delaware's modest topography in contrast to extremes like Alaska's at 20,310 feet. The status of Ebright Azimuth has sparked debate regarding the true highest natural point in , as 2007 LiDAR data indicates nearby terrain west of Ebright Road reaches up to approximately 450 feet. However, official surveys by the NGS and Delaware Geological Survey uphold Ebright Azimuth's primacy as the highest monumented elevation, emphasizing the reliability of established benchmarks. Culturally, Ebright Azimuth symbolizes Delaware's predominantly flat and exemplifies "urban highpointing," where the state's apex lies in a suburban neighborhood rather than a remote . It has been featured in highpointers' guides and recognized by organizations like the Highpointers Club since the 1980s, when the activity gained traction among outdoor enthusiasts compiling lists of state summits.

Visitation and Public Access

Ebright Azimuth is easily accessible by car, with visitors able to reach the site via Ebright Road off Interstate 95, approximately 10 minutes north of . From I-95 northbound, take Exit 8 onto U.S. Highway north for about 5 miles, then turn right onto Delaware Route east (Naamans Road) for 1.1 miles, followed by a left onto Ebright Road for 0.6 miles to the intersection with Ramblewood Drive. No permit is required, and the site is open 24/7 as it lies along a public road shoulder in a suburban . The approach involves a short, easy 0.2-mile out-and-back walk along a paved from a area near the , featuring minimal of 0 feet and taking an average of 3 minutes to complete. Parking is available for free along Ebright Road or adjacent Ramblewood Drive, with visitors advised to park legally and respectfully in the neighborhood to avoid blocking driveways. The path winds through landscaped areas amid suburban homes, leading directly to the geodetic benchmark. At the site, visitors encounter a embedded in the sidewalk marking the point, accompanied by a Delaware Public Archives historical marker that notes its status as the state's highest benchmark at 447.85 feet above . The area offers views of a nearby radio tower and the surrounding neighborhood, with a bench available along the route for resting. Daytime visits are recommended for safety due to uneven terrain in some spots and limited lighting after dark. The compact site can be fully explored in under 5 minutes, making it popular among highpointing enthusiasts who travel dedicated routes to visit state summits. Nearby attractions include Brandywine Valley parks, providing options for extended outings in the region.

References

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