Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-01-02
ISSO-ISOO,
Cursory Gtanco ht lhe city, Prog
reAk During the Past Decade.

-
cntsory Gianco "A. the CIty's frok-
reHs DnrinR Lhe Fast Decado'
The past decade has made many
changes In Wilmington, and the progress
OF the city has been material In every re-
spect. Ten years ago to-day local paper
III an article reviewing the three previous
decades and venturing prediction about
the decade 70 come estimated the popula-
ton OF Wilmington FOR that year ~
4e,ooo ana predicted ~, o0o Tor ioou. Inc
census 81 1851 did no. come up 20 .h AZ
expectation, as 1t showed population OF
only $4,000, but the generally accepted
idea that this years census Will SHOW
population OF from 6O,o00 to 6o,Ooo Is
likely TO prove correct.
On January Isl, 1880, the city was d.
vided into 10 wards. since then, by the
acquisition OF new territory, TWO more
have been added. Then the asse ssed
Valuation OF real estate, for the purposes
OF city taxation, was, IN Icund Numbers,
S23, O0O,U now it is 1888 900 ,0UO.
A gratifying contrast Is In the matter
OF police arrests, which mum oered 2,4l3
for 1879. The arrests last year num-
bered but 2,639i an increase that Is NOT
even proportlonste with the increase OF
population, showing oonoluslveiy COM
msndable growth in morals, temperance
and regard for law and order.
The new buildings OF 1879 numbered
1853, the estimated value OF which was
GOO,OOOi those OF last year numbered
bl9, with an estimated value OF over
Sl,O0O QUO. Some OF last years buildings,
notably the new Central National Bank,
ore prominent and substantial additions
to the architectural ornaments OF the city.
The county court house,in loIJ was only q
oheerful contemplation, now II ID pleas
ing fact.
In 1879 there were 10 pubic SCHOOLS;
now there are 20, including the magnlh-
cent new high school, at Eighth and
Adams streets, III which manual train
ing school for boys hes been successfully
established during the past year.
The churchts OF the city have Id
creased from III in 1873 to ~ last year.
In 1879 there were scarcely q dozen
places where entertainments OF public
character could be held, and now there
are 20, not including the halls OF the fire
department engine houses. There were
bat three railroad stations within the city
limits in 1879, and now there are nine,
including three large and handsome new
structures, while q new trunk line rail-
road gives Wilmington additional faciii.
ties OF communication with oil parts Of
the country.
The only line OF street railway in Will
mington in 1879 extended tropi the T.,
w. * b. railroad station to Rising Sun.
Now the Front d Union streets line is IN
active operation; the Wilmington City
Passenger ksilwRy's lines extend over
Eleventh street bridge and out to River
view cemetery, while the new Eighth
street electric branch, running to Fifth
and Union streets, WAS in eucceFsful ope.
ration before the close of the year.
Tho industrial development of the de-
cade has been particularly rapid. Among
the new ventures are the Pullman works
the South Wilmington plant OF the Lob
dell Oar Wheel Company, the Ooob Nut
oanite Oompany's underground wire
works, the Hopes u Townsend Dom
pauy's works, j. Edward Addieks' new
gas works, half dozen or more new
and large morocco manufactures, tht
Christiana Window Glass Company
works, besides tremendous additions t
the plants and appurtensnces OF al
the old standard establishments tina
have made record for Wilmington
In the industrial world for owe
half century. Then there ar
the telephone, phonograph and cleo