Timeline of Wilmington, Delaware facts for kids

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

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

Map of Wilmington, Delaware, 1874

• 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.
• 1900 – Population: 76,508.

20th century

• 1905 - Brandywine Zoo established.
• 1910 – Population: 87,411.
• 1911 - Majestic Theatre opens.
• 1917 - Rodney Square established.
• 1919 - Wilmington, Delaware race riot of 1919
• 1920 – Population: 110,168.
• 1921 - City fire department established.
• 1922 - WDEL and WILM radio begin broadcasting.
• 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.
• 1968 - Wilmington Riot of 1968
• 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.