Wilmington’s Waterfront

Wilmington’s Waterfront tells the story of what has happened along the Brandywine and Christina rivers in Wilmington.

These two rivers encompass downtown Wilmington and have been the lifeblood of the city ever since they provided a pathway for its Swedish settlers. With their perpetual rise and fall of tide, ceaseless source of power, and never-ending supply of water, the rivers have seen the growth and decline of industry, nurture and neglect by government, and respect and rejection by residents.

In 1979 and 1980, the authors visited every inch of both sides of the rivers, taking photographs, making notes, and doing historical and environmental research. Their efforts resulted in Project R.O.W. (Reclaim Our Waterfront), a detailed report funded by a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In this book, Priscilla M. Thompson and Sally O'Byrne invite you to join them on a pictorial tour of Wilmington’s waterfront. Through their collection of photographs, etchings, and lithographs showing waterfront recreation and industries, you will discover shipbuilding companies, steamboat excursions, parks, waterworks, bridge dedications, and all the landmarks and activities that are a part of the Wilmington waterfront’s past.