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Rodney Square: Wilmington's Civic Heart

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Discover Rodney Square, Wilmington's historic civic center, where history, culture, and community converge in a beautiful, accessible urban space.

Rodney Square, the symbolic center of Wilmington, Delaware, has evolved from a water reservoir to a vibrant civic space. Named after Caesar Rodney, it reflects the City Beautiful movement and hosts various events throughout the year.

A brief summary to Rodney Square

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Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Rodney Square.

  • Check the InWilmington website for event listings in Rodney Square.
  • Visit the Downtown Wilmington Farmer's Market on Wednesdays from May to October.
  • Explore the architecture surrounding the square, influenced by the City Beautiful movement.
  • Take advantage of free parking after 6 PM and on weekends on the streets surrounding Rodney Square.

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Getting There

  • 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 Street.

  • Public Transport

    DART First State bus routes serve Rodney Square. Several bus lines stop near Rodney Square, including routes 2, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 18, 20, 25, and 301. Check the DART First State website or app for the most up-to-date schedules and route information. The minimum fare is $2. Exact change is required.

  • Taxi/Ride-share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Wilmington. A short trip from the Wilmington Train Station to Rodney Square typically costs between $8 and $15, depending on traffic and demand. Taxi stands are located at the Amtrak station.

  • Driving

    If driving, take I-95 to Wilmington. From the North, take Exit 7B straight onto N Jackson Street. Turn left at the light onto Delaware Avenue. Stay left at the fork onto 11th Street. Rodney Square will be on the right. From the South, follow signs for I-495 N towards Port of Wilmington. Take Exit 1 for US-13 Business. Continue straight from US-13/S Walnut Street onto N Walnut Street. Turn left onto E 10th Street. Rodney Square will be on the right. Several parking garages are located near Rodney Square, including Park BPG Garage, Mid-Town Garage and City-Center Garage. Parking rates vary, with monthly parking available for around $170. Street parking is free after 6 PM and on weekends.

Discover more about Rodney Square

Rodney Square, located at 1000 N Market St, Wilmington, DE, has been the symbolic center of Wilmington since the early 20th century. The square's history began between 1825 and 1832 when the Borough of Wilmington assembled six separate parcels of land. From 1827 to 1877, the square was the site of Wilmington's first water reservoir, along with the Water Department offices, a fire engine house, and the City Engineer's office. Following the relocation of the reservoir, the New Castle County Court House was built in the middle of the parcel, opening in 1881 and remaining until 1919. In the early 1910s, DuPont Company Vice President Pierre S. duPont and his personal assistant John Jacob Raskob developed a master plan for the Square that would transform the location into the civic center of Wilmington. Construction of Rodney Square Park began in 1915 and was completed in 1921. The defining symbol of the Square, the equestrian statue of Caesar Rodney created by James E. Kelly, was dedicated on July 4, 1923. Rodney Square's design was influenced by the “City Beautiful Movement,” an urban planning movement led by architects, landscape architects and civic reformers at the turn of the 20th century to improve social order by introducing more beauty in the urban landscape, thereby encouraging civic pride and engagement. The Rodney Square District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in November 2011. Today, Rodney Square hosts events such as the Downtown Wilmington Farmer's Market and the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival.

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