- Introduction
- Histories of Newark
- The Spirit of Newark
- "Our Town"
- Geography
- Natural Setting
- Protecting Our Environment
- Transportation
- Ties to the American Revolution
- Early Religious Heritage
- Early Landholders: The Lewis Family
- The Academy
- The University: Its Men, Women, Spirit
- Education
- Agriculture
- Early Manufacturing
- Early Industries
- Chrysler
- Change
- Shops and Trades
- Commerce
- Architecture
- The Johnsons: Louise Staton Johnson and her husband, Everett C. Johnson
- Residential Growth
- Mapping Growth
- Post-WWII Growth
- Growing Pains
- Clubs and Organizations
- Protective Services
- The Arts
- Music
- Conclusion
Commerce
Commercial venues in Newark are concentrated on Main Street, which has adapted to change since the original market was chartered in 1758. Anchored on the west end by the Deer Park Hotel and the Newark Shopping Center on the east end, the boundaries of Newark's main shopping district are relatively constant.
century resident of the Deer Park Hotel.
UD Photograph collection.
The Downtown Newark Partnership was founded in 1998, allying the City, the University of Delaware, and the business community. The group deals with downtown parking, promoting public displays of art, and historic building incentives-promoting change but trying to preserve traditions of family-owned businesses that thrived on Main Street in the past.
The Deer Park Hotel was built on the site of St. Patrick's Inn, an eighteenth-century tavern. It was named by its owner, James S. Martin, after his Deer Park farm, located on today's West Park Place. The establishment housed the Deer Park Female Seminary in the 1850s. It also served as a summer resort conveniently located near the B&O depot, and as a boarding home to Newark residents such as Anna Kerr Hossinger, whose family was prominent in the University and the town. Later, of course, the establishment housed the most popular watering hole in Newark for generations of "townies" and college students, alike.
invites industries : free land, no taxes,
compiled by E.P. Cowell.
Newark, Del. : Newark Board of Trade, 1901.
Turn of the twentieth-century description of the Deer Park Hotel, from Newark, Delaware, Board of Trade invites industries : free land, no taxes / compiled by E.P. Cowell. Newark, Del. : Newark Board of Trade, 1901.
Anna Kerr Hossinger, nineteenth-century resident of the Deer Park Hotel. UD Photograph collection.
Guest register and account book for the Deer Park Hotel, 1944-1952.
Account Books and Ledgers collection.
Gift of the Deer Park Hotel
Map of Main Street intersecting Elkton Road (Lincoln Highway) at the split with West Main Street and New London Road ; also showing the Deer Park Hotel, B&O Railroad Station and freight house. This undated map includes lines for new terra cotta pipes, basin, and telephone pole, and sidewalk, reflecting city improvements, probably around the first decade of the twentieth century.
Wilbur T. Wilson map collection.
Gift of the estate of Wilbur T. Wilson
Citizens of Newark by the Mayor's Committee on
Armed Forces-Civilian Relations.
Newark, Del. : Office of the Mayor, 1943.
1943 Main Street businesses depicted in a page spread from Greetings, prepared for recruits attending the Army Special Training Program at the University. From Greetings / produced for the Citizens of Newark by the Mayor's Committee on Armed Forces-Civilian Relations. Newark, Del. : Office of the Mayor, 1943.
To Guide you Through our Streets / compliments of Newark Department Store, 68-60-62 East Main Street. This map dates from before 1955 when the Newark Department Store relocated to the new shopping center at the east end of Main Street.
circa 1950.
UD Photograph collection.
Rhodes Drugs, State Theater (Our Movie House), John Evans/Delaware Tea House (now Raub Hall), Newark Trust & Safe Deposit Co., Abbott's Shoe Repair and Home Drug Co.
"Truly a Newark Institution," Rhodes Drug Store brochure, circa 1950.
Henry Clay Reed papers.
Gift of Mrs. Henry Clay Reed
Two photographs of the interior of Rhodes Drug Store, circa 1950.
UD Photograph collection.
Powell's Restaurant, Deluxe Luncheon, State Restaurant and Neighbors Drugs, News Dealer, Farmers Trust Co.
Main Street merchants and local advertisers support Newark High's
Yellow Jacket Buzz, 1939.
John Andrew Munroe papers.
Gift of John A. Munroe
That Records & Tapes, 1980s.
Chris Oakley collection of
alternative press.
Advertising layout for I Like It Like That Records & Tapes, owned and operated by B.J. Lobermann, Jerry Grant, and Don Challenger, 1980s.
Chris Oakley collection of alternative press.
Gift of Chris Oakley
Newark telephone directory. Newark, Del. : Newark Post, 1953.
Newark community directory. Wilmington, Del. : The Diamond State Telephone Co., 1978.
Herman's, celebrating forty years of service : a collection of memories and recipes from family and friends. Newark, Del. : Herman's Quality Meat Shoppe, 2006-2007.
Bing's Bakery : Delaware's premier scratch bakery [brochure], 2008. New owner Tom Guzzi (since 2005) is carrying on the Main Street business established by Selena Bing in 1946.
Delaware Ephemera collection.
Newark Department Store [gift box]. The store was centrally located on Main Street before moving to the east end of town,
in 1955, as an anchor in the Newark Shopping Center.
Delaware Ephemera collection.
Downtown Newark Partnership [mousepad], established
in 1998.
Delaware Ephemera collection.
Bloom [shopping bag], 92 East Main Street.
Delaware Ephemera collection.
Grass Roots Handcrafts [gift box], on Main Street since 1975.
Delaware Ephemera collection.
