Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Willingtown Square
Willingtown Square honors Thomas Willing and the original name of the town he helped found in 1731. The four brick structures, built between 1748 and 1801, represent the types of houses common in early Willingtown. Buildings like these often served as both businesses and residences. Each has only one or two rooms per floor. Large families both lived and worked in these small spaces.
By the 1960s and 1970s the older neighborhoods in which these houses originally stood had decayed and were slated for urban renewal. A determined effort by preservationists rallied support to move the buildings to a site on Market Street from which four commercial buildings had been removed. The houses were moved in 1976 and the area renamed Willingtown Square. The Historical Society of Delaware accepted the responsibility for preserving the houses and now uses them for offices and meeting rooms.
[Captions:]
The city removed abandoned buildings, that once housed a wig salon, a bike shop, a drugstore, and the Towne Theater to establish Willingtown Square in 1976.
The houses were lifted onto flatbed trailers and towed to Willingtown Square in 1976.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1731.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 44.501′ N, 75° 33.037′ W. Marker was in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. Marker was at the intersection of North Market Street and West 5th Street, on the right when traveling south on North Market Street. The marker is opposite Old Town Hall. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 515 N Market St, Wilmington DE 19801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Willingtown Square (here, next to this marker); Cook-Simms House, 1778 (here, next to this marker); Old Town Hall (a few steps from this marker); Grand Lodge of Delaware A.F.&A.M. (a few steps from this marker); Tatnall Bell, 1800 (a few steps from this marker); Jacob and Obadiah Dingee Houses, 1771 and 1773 (a few steps from this marker); Coxe Houses, 1801 (within shouting distance of this marker); Jacobs House, 1748 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker which has a slightly different inscription.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,140 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on January 25, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.