New Castle, Delaware

 city, place with historical importance

City with an estimated population of 4,836 in 2006. Originally an Indian settlement called Tomakonck, the Dutch built a town here called Fort Casimir in 1651. Captured by the Swedes in 1654 and recaptured by the Dutch in 1655. Became a British possession from 1664-1673 before reverting again to Dutch control. It finally passed into British hands permanently in 1674. The area was technically part of Pennsylvania until 1704 when Delaware County became a separate colony. The city served as Delaware's colonial capital from 1704 until independence. It was the state capital until 1777 when the capital was moved to Dover to avoid British raiders on the river.

The spire on top of the Court House — Delaware's Colonial capitol and first state house — was used as the center of the 12-mile circle forming the northern boundary of Delaware and part of the Mason-Dixon Line. The Delaware River within this radius to the low water mark on the opposite shore is part of Delaware. Thus the Delaware Memorial Bridge was built as an intrastate span by Delaware, without financial participation by neighboring New Jersey.