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Timeline of Wilmington, Delaware

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Timeline of Wilmington, Delaware

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Wilmington, Delaware, USA.

Contents

Prior to 19th century

  • 1638
  • March 29: Peter Minuit and others arrive at what is known today as Swedes' Landing, in the Swedish colony of New Sweden.
  • Fort Christina built on behalf of the Swedish South Company; settlement known as Christinaham.
  • 1655 - Fort taken from Swedes by Dutch forces of Peter Stuyvesant.
  • 1664 - English in power.
  • 1682 - New Sweden becomes part of the English colonial Province of Pennsylvania.
  • 1698 - Holy Trinity Church (Old Swedes) built.
  • 1731 - Landowner Thomas Willing names his property "Willingtown" (renamed "Wilmington" around 1739).
  • 1739
  • William Shipley becomes burgess of Wilmington.
  • Shipbuilding industry begins (approximate date).
  • 1740 - First Presbyterian Church built.
  • 1748 - Wilmington Friends School established.
  • 1777 - September 11: Battle of Brandywine fought near town.
  • 1785 - Delaware Gazette newspaper begins publication.
  • 1788 - Wilmington Library Company founded.
  • 1798
  • Yellow fever outbreak.
  • Town Hall built.

    • 19th century

  • 1802 - DuPont gunpowder manufacturer in business at Eleutherian Mills on Brandywine Creek near Wilmington.
  • 1809 - Borough of Wilmington expanded.
  • 1814 - Harmonic Society formed.
  • 1824 - "First public opinion poll" taken in Wilmington during the U.S. presidential election campaign.
  • 1832
  • Borough of Wilmington becomes a city per state charter.
  • Richard H. Bayard becomes city mayor.
  • 1835 - Wilmington Whaling Company incorporated.
  • 1837
  • Board of Trade and Wesleyan Female Seminary established.
  • Betts, Pusey & Harlan railcar manufactory in business.
  • 1838 - Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad begins operating.
  • 1840
  • Democratic Free Press newspaper begins publication.
  • Population: 8,367.
  • 1849 - Harlan and Hollingsworth shipbuilder and railcar manufactory in business.
  • 1855 - Customshouse built.
  • 1864
  • Horse-drawn railway begins operating.
  • Historical Society of Delaware headquartered in Wilmington.
  • John Merrick House built.
  • 1868 - Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington established.
  • 1871 - Grand Opera House built.
  • 1877 - Wilmington Club for men incorporated.
  • 1880 – Population: 42,478.
  • 1881 - New Castle County Court House built.
  • 1886 - Brandywine Park established.
  • 1889 - Rockford Park and New Century Club for women established.
  • 1890
  • Delaware Hospital opens.
  • Population: 61,431.

    • 20th century

  • 1900 – Population: 76,508.
  • 1905 - Brandywine Zoo established.
  • 1910 – Population: 87,411.
  • 1911 - Majestic Theatre opens.
  • 1917 - Rodney Square established.
  • 1920 – Population: 110,168.
  • 1921 - City fire department established.
  • 1923
  • Wilmington Marine Terminal built.
  • Monument to Caesar Rodney installed in Rodney Square.
  • 1928 - Rodney Court apartment building constructed.
  • 1929 - Wilmington Dry Goods in business.
  • 1930 - Population: 106,597.
  • 1937 - Main Post Office built.
  • 1942 - Crest Theater in business.
  • 1950 – Population: 110,356.
  • 1961 - Burton v. Wilmington Parking Authority lawsuit decided by U.S Supreme Court, broadening the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment.
  • 1965 - Wilmington Medical Center active.
  • 1981 - State legislature passes the "liberalizing" Financial Center Development Act, influencing the relocation of many banks to the Wilmington area.
  • 1991 - Cinemark cinema in business.
  • 1995 - MBNA Corporation headquartered in city.
  • 1996 - City website online (approximate date).

    • 21st century

  • 2001 - James M. Baker becomes mayor.
  • 2013 - Dennis P. Williams becomes mayor.

    • References

    Timeline of Wilmington, Delaware Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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