Swedes' Landing facts for kids
Swedes' Landing is a historic area in Wilmington, Delaware. It's located along a small river called Minquas Kill, very close to the larger Delaware River. This spot is super important because it's where the first Swedish settlers landed in North America. It marks the beginning of the New Sweden colony.
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The First Journey to New Sweden
In late 1637, the very first Swedish trip to North America began. It was led by a man named Peter Minuit. His group set sail from the port city of Gothenburg in Sweden. They traveled on two ships, the Fogel Grip and the Kalmar Nyckel.
Arriving in Delaware
After a long journey, the ships sailed into Delaware Bay. This area was already claimed by the Dutch West India Company. But the Swedish explorers continued. On March 29, 1638, they dropped anchor at a rocky spot on Swedes' Landing.
Building Fort Christina
Right there at Swedes' Landing, the settlers started building a fort. They named it Fort Christina. This fort was named after Queen Christina of Sweden. It became the main settlement for the new Swedish colony.
Swedes' Landing Today
Today, Swedes' Landing Road is a short street in Wilmington. It runs from 4th Street to 7th Street. At the end of the road, you can see a large, two-story mural. This mural shows the history of the area. It starts from before the Swedes arrived and goes all the way to the modern Wilmington waterfront.
Right next to the mural, you'll find the entrance to the Fort Christina National Historical Site. This site is part of the First State National Historical Park System. It helps people remember the important history of the first Swedish settlers in America.
