# Timeline of Wilmington, Delaware

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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

* 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.