The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Wilmington, Delaware, United States.
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. 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. 2024 - John Carney becomes mayor.
See also Wilmington, Delaware history List of mayors of Wilmington, Delaware National Register of Historic Places listings in Wilmington, Delaware
References
Bibliography
Published in the 18th–19th c.
Published in the 20th c.
(fulltext) + chronology (fulltext) (fulltext)
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Published in the 21st c.
External links
Items related to Wilmington, Delaware, various dates (via Digital Public Library of America).