Transcribed from Fort Casimir Papers of the Historical Society of Delaware, Volume 43, 1905 and forty five articles in The Sunday Star, 1906-1908 [With additions from the notebook of Alexander Cooper, 1906-1913]. And with early photographs, maps and drawings. Transcribed and edited by James Meek.

There are may books about our wonderful city of New Castle. This history by Alexander B. Cooper is very different - and very special. It was written for the general public between 1905-1908 for the Wilmington Sunday newspaper, and it is very detailed, heavily illustrated, thought-provoking and comprehensive personal history.

Alexander B. Cooper was a lawyer and amateur historian who lived and worked in New Castle in the late 1800s to early 1900s. He wrote about his beloved town from many varied standpoints: a participant fighting a fire on The Strand; the relative of a participant - his brother was the bank manager who shot a robber during the daring nighttime raid on the bank at Delaware & The Strand; and friend of an engineer who helped lay out the New Castle & Frenchtown Railroad, and who in addition witnessed Lafayette's visit in 1824.

Some sections might be of a geneaological interest to a New Castle denizen. Did your ancestors sing in a choir? Volunteer in the library? Operate a store? Participate in a fraternal organization? Volunteer in a fire department? Where did they get their water, and shop for bread? When did the town get street lighting, and gas heat? Which military groups were manned by volunteers from New Castle in the various wars, including the Mexican American War of 1846-1848?

The long section in the book on the "12-mile limit" might seem initially of little interest, but the topic is the basis for continuing U.S. Supreme Court cases. For example, Delaware recently sued New Jersey to prevent the state from putting a natural gas loading facility in the Delaware River within the "12-mile limit."

The book provides details about the families who lived in the houses you see as you walk through the historic district, ninety percent of which existed when Cooper lived there. The book also covers the industrial origins of two New Castle neighborhoods: Shawtown and Dobbinsville, which became Delaware's "Deserted Village" upon the closing of the factory on which it depended.

This is a special journey into the past. Enjoy!