Swedes Landing in Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Fort Christina

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 31, 2021

1. Fort Christina Marker

Inscription. Fort Christina-This park commemorates New Sweden, the colony founded when Peter Minuit’s expedition landed from the Swedish ships Kalmar Nyckel and Fogel Grip on the natural wharf of rocks at the riverside about March 29, 1638. Fort Christina, built here, became the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley.

Erected by Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 29, 1638.

Location. 39° 44.281′ N, 75° 32.282′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Swedes Landing. It is on East 7th Street. This marker is mounted on the wall on the right inside Fort Christiana Park about 20 feet from the entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1138 E 7th Street, Wilmington DE 19801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the

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Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort Christina Monument (a few steps from this marker); The Park (a few steps from this marker); The Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); "The Rocks" and the Underground Railroad (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lifeboat 39 (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Lifeboat 39 (about 300 feet away); Escape by Sea (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 28, 2019

2. Fort Christina Marker

Fort Christina Monument located at the waters edge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 28, 2019

3. Fort Christina Monument located at the waters edge

Fort Christina-Mural on wall across the street from the park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 28, 2019

4. Fort Christina-Mural on wall across the street from the park

Fort Christina Mural-right side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 28, 2019

5. Fort Christina Mural-right side

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2019, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 838 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 1, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 3, 2019, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.