Rodney Square: Wilmington's Civic Heart
Discover Rodney Square, Wilmington's historic civic center, a hub of events and beautiful Beaux-Arts architecture.
Rodney Square, located in the heart of Wilmington, Delaware, is a testament to urban planning and civic pride. This historic square, named after Caesar Rodney, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, has been the symbolic center of Wilmington since the early 20th century. Originally, the 1.5-acre area was home to Wilmington's first water reservoir from 1827 to 1877, and later the New Castle County Courthouse from 1881 to 1919. In the early 1910s, Pierre S. du Pont and John Jacob Raskob envisioned transforming the space into a civic center, drawing inspiration from the “City Beautiful Movement”. This movement aimed to improve social order by introducing beauty into urban landscapes, fostering civic engagement. Construction of Rodney Square, initially named Rodney Square Park, began in 1915 and was completed in 1921. The square's design included fountains and bronze lanterns. Rodney Square and its surrounding buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. Today, Rodney Square hosts various events, including the Downtown Wilmington Farmers' Market, the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, and holiday celebrations.
Local tips
- Visit Rodney Square during the Downtown Wilmington Farmers' Market (May-October on Wednesdays) for local produce, crafts, and food.
- Check out the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival held annually in June at Rodney Square.
- Explore the architecture surrounding the square, including the DuPont Building and the Wilmington Institute Free Library.
A brief summary to Rodney Square
- 1000 N Market St, Wilmington, Delaware, 19801, US
- +1302-576-3810
- Visit website
- Monday 12 am-12 am
- Tuesday 12 am-12 am
- Wednesday 12 am-12 am
- Thursday 12 am-12 am
- Friday 12 am-12 am
- Saturday 12 am-12 am
- Sunday 12 am-12 am
Getting There
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Walking
From the Wilmington Train Station, head north on French Street towards 10th Street. Turn left onto 10th Street and walk four blocks west. Rodney Square will be on your right, surrounding N Market St.
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Public Transport
DART First State bus routes serve Rodney Square. Check the DART First State website or app for the most up-to-date schedules and routes. Many bus lines stop near Rodney Square North, including lines 002, 009, 013, and 018. A one-zone fare is $1.15. Exact change is required.
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Parking
Several parking garages are located near Rodney Square. Garages such as Park BPG Garage (1101 Orange St) and Tatnall Garage (253 W. 11th St) are within walking distance. Hourly parking rates typically range from $4 to $8. Monthly parking options are available in some garages for around $170.
