New signs mark history of Wilmington’s Rodney Square

  • Hunter Landon (center) heads to the finish line of the 5K race.

    Hunter Landon (center) heads to the finish line of the 5K race. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Runners cross the Schuylkill River during the last leg of the 5K race.

    Runners cross the Schuylkill River during the last leg of the 5K race. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Runners head for the finish line of the 5K event during the Race for the Cure.

    Runners head for the finish line of the 5K event during the Race for the Cure. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Runners take off from the starting line at the 5K race during the Race for the Cure.

    Runners take off from the starting line at the 5K race during the Race for the Cure. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Race for the Cure participants gather on Eakin's Oval

    Race for the Cure participants gather on Eakin's Oval. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Participants in the Survivors Parade of Pink and the Salute to Forever Fighters walk down the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

    Participants in the Survivors Parade of Pink and the Salute to Forever Fighters walk down the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Jane Lopoten School of Dance members entertain participants.

    Jane Lopoten School of Dance members entertain participants. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Participants in the Survivors Parade of Pink and Salute to Forever Fighters prepare to walk down the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

    Participants in the Survivors Parade of Pink and Salute to Forever Fighters prepare to walk down the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Breast cancer survivor Sherri Kramer (third from left) poses with family members Mia Rodriguez, Jayli Rodriguez, and Britney Kramer.

    Breast cancer survivor Sherri Kramer (third from left) poses with family members Mia Rodriguez, Jayli Rodriguez, and Britney Kramer. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Mother and daughter Maureen and Rebecca Beall during the national anthem. Maureen Beall is a 10 year cancer survivor. Rebecca is a 1 year survivor.

    Mother and daughter Maureen and Rebecca Beall during the national anthem. Maureen Beall is a 10 year cancer survivor. Rebecca is a 1 year survivor. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Breast cancer survivors stand at the top of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

    Breast cancer survivors stand at the top of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Julia Wylie recently completed her final chemotherapy treatment.

    Julia Wylie recently completed her final chemotherapy treatment. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Voices of Gwynedd perform on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

    Voices of Gwynedd perform on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Noel Murray (left) and Lavon Mason set up the balloon arches on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

    Noel Murray (left) and Lavon Mason set up the balloon arches on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Noel Murray blows up balloons for the balloon arches that cancer survivors walk through on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

    Noel Murray blows up balloons for the balloon arches that cancer survivors walk through on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Printed signs await team members at the start.

    Printed signs await team members at the start. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Runners in the 5K Race for the Cure take off from the starting line.

    Runners in the 5K Race for the Cure take off from the starting line. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Participants in the Survivors Parade of Pink and Salute to Forever Fighters wave to supporters on Eakins Oval during the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event.

    Participants in the Survivors Parade of Pink and Salute to Forever Fighters wave to supporters on Eakins Oval during the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

Wilmington officials unveiled a new marker commemorating the history and importance of Wilmington’s Rodney Square.

Like most things in Wilmington, Delaware, the history of the the city’s Rodney Square can be traced back to the DuPont Company. The center city block that now serves as transit hub for DART buses and home for the the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival was once home to the city’s water reservoir. The reservoir provided drinking water to city residents from 1827 until 1877, when Cool Spring Reservoir opened.

Eventually, under the guidance of DuPont leaders, Rodney Square became the center point of downtown Wilmington. The one and a half acre grassy park was soon surrounded by the new headquarters building for the chemical giant and other buildings that drew hundreds of workers and residents to the block every day. Those other structures included the Wilmington Public Building, which housed city and New Castle County government offices. The Wilmington public library and the post office bookended the block.

In 2011, the Rodney Square landscape and buildings, including the statue commemorating Caesar Rodney;s historic ride to Philadelphia and DuPont’s Nemours Building were placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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On Monday, Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and other leaders dedicated a marker recognizing Rodney Square’s significance in Wilmington’s history and touting it’s future. Purzycki recently announced plans to refurbish the park in cooperation with the Friends of Rodney Square group. That refurbishment will include changes to the park’s look and feel. More grass will be added and the park’s long unused water features will be repaired. New lighting will be installed as well.

 

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