Wilmington History

Wilmington, the largest city in Delaware, is known as the "chemical capital of the world," because of the Du Pont family's long association with the area. Eleuthere du Pont built his first powder mill on Brandywine Creek in 1802, providing an expertise in chemistry and gunpowder production at a time when American-made gunpowder was of poor quality. His company, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company grew into one of the largest and most successful corporations in the U.S.

The Wilmington area was first settled by a Swedish expedition in 1638. Peter Minuit, leader of the expedition, purchased the land from the Lenni-Lenape natives and established a settlement named New Sweden. The colony endured until 1656, when it was overtaken by the Dutch. The army of New Amsterdam laid siege to the Swedes, forcing their surrender. In 1664, the area came under British rule.

Around 1730, a large tract of land was deeded to Thomas Willing, who founded a settlement named Willingtown. This tiny farming community prospered with the arrival of the Quakers, who invested in property and helped the town to grow. King George II granted a charter to the town in 1739, but it was addressed to "the People of Wilmington." It's not known if the name of the town was simply misspelled in the charter, or if the king decided to name the settlement after his friend, Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington. But the new name stuck and the city has since been known as "Wilmington."

Brandywine Springs Park was the site of a popular resort and amusement park until 1923, when the land was converted into a county park. Remnants of the original rides and attractions remain, buried or overgrown by weeds. A local group has recently revived interest in the old amusement park, and efforts are currently underway to excavate the long forgotten site. This park was also the location of the Council Oak, a massive oak tree under which Washington met with Lafayette prior to the Battle of Brandywine in 1777. The 330-year old tree was toppled in 1993, leaving a 20-foot stump.