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Wilmington. 1 City (1990 pop. 71,529), seat of New Castle co., NE Del., on the Delaware River and tributary streams, the Christina and the Brandywine; settled 1638, inc. as a city 1832. The state's largest city, it is a port of entry handling considerable domestic and foreign shipping. It has shipyards and railroad shops and is a major chemical and biomedical center. Wilmington is the headquarters of the huge Du Pont Co. and its research and experimental laboratories. Other manufactures include automobiles, rubber and leather products, textiles, iron and steel goods, and processed foods. Wilmington is also an important banking and financial services center. Fort Christina, built there by the Swedes in 1638 (the site is now a state park), was taken by the Dutch (1655) and then by the British (1664). In 1682, William Penn came into possession of the region. Shipping and manufacturing grew early, and industry was well developed when E. I. Du Pont established a powder mill on the Brandywine in 1802. Goldey-Beacom College and Wilmington College are in the city. Wilmington's many historic buildings include Old Swedes Church (1698). Other points of interest are Rodney Square (city center), the Delaware Academy of Medicine, the Delaware Art Center, the Riverfront Arts Center, and the nearby Hagley and Winterthur museums and Longwood Gardens.
2 Town (1990 pop. 17,654), Middlesex co., NE Mass., a suburb of Boston, on the Ipswich River; settled 1639, inc. 1730. Economic enterprises include space research and the manufacture of plastics, machinery, and electronics.
3 City (1990 pop. 55,530), seat of New Hanover co., SE N.C., a port of entry on the Cape Fear River, c.30 mi (50 km) from its mouth; settled 1732, inc. as a city 1866. It is the state's largest port, receiving domestic petroleum products and shipping tobacco, wood products, and scrap metal. Wilmington is also a tourist resort and a sports fishing center. Its manufactures include chemicals, plastics, machinery, rubber, paper, and metal products, yachts, building materials, apparel, and optical fibers; it has become a busy filmmaking center. The British Gen. Cornwallis held the town in 1781. During the Civil War, Wilmington was the last Confederate port to close; Confederate blockade runners used it until the fall of Fort Fisher on Jan. 15, 1865. Many large cargo ships were built there during World War II. The Univ. of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington College, and a technical institute are in the city. The U.S.S. North Carolina is moored in the river.
4 City (1990 pop. 11,199), seat of Clinton co., SW Ohio, in a farm (chiefly corn and hogs) area; settled 1810, inc. 1828. Tools, air compressors, castings, and auto parts are made. Wilmington College is there, and a state park is nearby.
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