The Christina River’s History Discussed in New Book

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. - Oct. 21, 2013 - PRLog -- The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s popular Images of America series is Along the Christina River from local author William Francis. The book boasts more than 200 vintage images and memories of days gone by along this Delaware river.

For centuries, the Christina River, an approximately 35-mile-long tributary of the Delaware River that cuts across northern Delaware, has played a role in the development of Newark, Christiana, Newport and Wilmington.

Near its mouth, it welcomed European settlers from Sweden and Finland. The Port of Wilmington, opened in 1923, handles international cargo and trade. The river was home to shipbuilding operations that once made Wilmington the busiest shipbuilding city in the United States. The river encouraged people to open businesses in the area. Industries like the Krebs Pigment Plant, Jackson & Sharp railroad manufacturers and Pusey & Jones shipbuilders flourished.

Farther downstream, in Newark, the river’s history includes the only Revolutionary War battle fought on Delaware soil. Through vintage photographs, Along the Christina River shares the river’s rich heritage and traces the history of this great waterway.

Highlights of Along the Christina River include:

•Discusses the history of the University of Delaware.
•Rarely seen images of the Pushmobile Derbies hosted in Newark.
•Photos of Newport before the “Concrete Monster” divided the town.
•Shares the story of how Fort Christina in Wilmington, was Sweden’s only attempt at colonizing the New World.

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or online.

Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States.  Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places.  Have we done a book on your town?  Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com.