Willingtown Square is a collection of four historic buildings, dating from 1748 to the early 1800s. In 1976 these buildings were  moved to the 500 block of Market Street from various sites throughout Wilmington to save them from demolition. The four structures were built when mercantile and shipping activities were prevalent along the Christina River and grain mills lined the banks of the Brandywine. Willingtown Square is named after Thomas Willing, who in 1731 laid out the village that was to become the city of Wilmington. The houses found in Willingtown Square have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places

These buildings can be viewed from the outside, and the Willingtown Square Gallery is open with changing exhibits (please enter through the Library; only open during library hours), but the buildings themselves are not open to the public.

Thinking about hosting an out-door event? Call us at (302) 655-7161 for more information on renting the square for a  unique setting for your special affair.

  The Cook-Simms House, 1778

William Cook built this house at 101 East Fourth Street in what was then the heart of downtown Wilmington.

Dr. John Simms, who made and sold herbal medicines, bought the house in 1840 to serve as his shop and residence.  He updated the building with large windows and an awning.

The building displays Flemish-bond brick with a belt course between the first and second floors.

  The Coxe Houses, 1801

Thomas Coxe, who owned a brickyard, built these houses in 1801 for his two daughters Margaret and Catherine.  Built like Philadelphia "trinity" or "Band Box" houses then popular, each unit had only one room on each of its three floors.  Members of the Coxe family lived in these houses until 1957.  

Like other buildings in the square, these houses consist of Flemish bond brickwork, a molded water table and two belt courses separating the stories.

  The Jacobs House, 1748

The Jacobs House is a two story brick structure with pent eaves. Featuring Flemish bond brickwork with glazed headers and a molded water table, this house was built for Job and Mary Jacobs in 1748 by Griffith Minshall. Mr. Minshall included the Jacobs initials and the date of construction in the front wall of the house. The letters and dates are arranged in the form of a puzzle.

  Jacob and Obidiah
  Dingee Houses, 1771 and 1773

The Dingee brothers built their houses side by side.  Jacob's, 1771, uses old-fashioned glazed headers on its Flemish bond bricks.  The brothers were cabinet makers and likely used the first floor as a work shop, living upstairs.

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Updated 2008 Delaware Historical Society
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