This article will discuss the population and steets of New Wilmington. It will give a general idea of the city's past and present. Wilmington was known as the home of DuPont and was a hub for businesses and banks. Before incorporating as a borough, Wilmington was known as Willington. Its population grew as immigrants came to work in textiles, brickyards, and on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
Wilmington grew rapidly during the late nineteenth century, thanks to the industries that supported it, including ship building and gunpowder production. Its population grew by nearly a third between 1870 and 1880, from 30,000 to over 42,000! The city developed blocks stretching from the Christiana River to the Brandywine Creek. It was also home to a large steel mill, which was responsible for the town's rapid growth.
The Wilmington area was originally home to Lenape Indians, whose tribes lived along the Delaware River and traded with European settlers. In 1638, Swedish colonists built Fort Christina between the Brandywine and Christina rivers, which fed the Delaware River. In 1669, Governor Francis Lovelace chartered the Christina Ferry service. The Christina Ferry service became popular and the city grew into an industrial center.
Wilmington's population was steadily increasing during the nineteenth century. It had the largest population in 1850 and was home to many of the country's largest shipyards. In addition to producing iron ships, the city was a leader in gunpowder production, leather products, and carriages. As the city grew, its merchants and manufacturers began expanding westward. The first horsecar line was completed along Delaware Avenue.