Do Water and Water Incidents Shape Wilmington?

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

Pack up your SERVPRO bags take a vacation and let our team restore your water damaged Wilmington home.

When You Need to Choose from Water Restoration Companies, Select SERVPRO

Water and the topography around Wilmington have shaped the development of our city since the very beginning. Our city rests directly on the fall line which divides the hilly areas of the west from the coastal plains in the east.

From the Marshlands to Market Street

Market Street is a perfect example of it. To the east of it are the low lying marshy areas that line both sides of the Christina River. On the west side, the land quickly rises to a high point and designates the watershed of the Christina and Brandywine Rivers. This line runs west and parallels Delaware Avenue from 10^th and Market. This higher area is healthier than the coastal plain and marshes, so it was much more attractive when the first residents began building Quaker Hill in the mid-1700s.

Early Days – Foundation and Development

Four different countries established colonies on what is now Wilmington.

• Sweden and Finland – Their agent, Thomas Willing was the developer who planned the first colony in 1638 and named it Willington after himself.
• The Netherlands – The Dutch took control of the area in 1655 but made no significant improvements before handing everything over to the British
• United Kingdom – After languishing for a time, George II granted the struggling colony a borough charter in 1739. This changed the name to Wilmington for Spencer Compton, the Earl of Wilmington, and helped to increase commerce and growth. 

Development, Growth … and More Growth

Wilmington continued to prosper before and after the War of Independence. No major battles were fought here, so there was no accompanying despoiling of the area either. Farming and shipping greatly expanded to serve the new country. In 1837, the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad set up shop which introduced new industries to Wilmington and helped quickly bring in new workers and their families. This included shipbuilding and by 1868, Wilmington was the largest builder of warships in the U.S.

Modern Times and Modern Industries

Today, Wilmington does not lead in shipbuilding, but the city is still a hub for national and international commerce. Throughout the 1980s, the state passed laws friendly to bringing in financial agencies and set-up their corporate headquarters. Our city is now known as the home of such institutions like Bank of America, Barclays, Capital One, and Chase Bank.

Water Restoration Requirements Today

Water still directs our actions, regardless if it is storm run-off or the failure of a sprinkler system that sends hundreds of gallons throughout a business closed for the weekend. SERVPRO specialists have access to an extensive inventory of cleaners and equipment to quickly handle these issues:

• Remove standing water inside the home
• Dry carpets and draw water out of wood floors
• Eliminate the musty odors water generates
• Draw water out of building material such as wall and ceiling panels
• Replace damaged items like floor trim 

When you need water restoration, call SERVPRO of Hockessin / Elsmere today at (302) 992-0104. We are here for you.