Seal of New Castle
One of the things I enjoy while visiting historic communities is paying attention to the symbols, they choose to represent themselves. This is the official seal of New Castle, and like so much of the town, it reflects centuries of history.
The seal celebrates the everyday life that allowed the community to flourish. A farmer guides his plow while an ox patiently works beside him, reminding us that New Castle’s prosperity depended not only on its harbor and commerce but also on the fertile farmland that surrounded the town. The wheat, corn, and other agricultural symbols acknowledge the importance of the Delaware Valley as one of colonial America’s richest farming regions.
Encircling the seal is the Latin motto, Nova Inclyta Ning Crescit, meaning “The renowned New Castle continues to grow.” It is a fitting description of a town that has continually reinvented itself. From a Dutch settlement to an English colonial capital, from William Penn’s first landing in America to Delaware’s first statehouse, from a busy port to one of the nation’s earliest railroad terminals, New Castle has adapted while carefully preserving its remarkable past.
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Delaware’s Independence Hall
One of the things I learned while exploring New Castle was that Delaware’s path to independence did not begin in Dover, but here at the Old Court House. This building is often referred to as Delaware’s Independence Hall and why it occupies such an important place in the history of the First State. Constructed in […]
New Castle Common
As I continued exploring New Castle, I came upon another historic marker that tells a story few visitors know. At first glance, the New Castle Common appears to be a pleasant town green, but it represents one of the oldest examples of land set aside for the benefit of an entire community. The marker explains […]
New Castle Harbor
As I walked along the waterfront in New Castle, it was difficult to imagine that this quiet shoreline was once one of the busiest harbors on the Delaware River. Today the river appears peaceful, but for nearly two centuries this waterfront welcomed sailing vessels carrying people, goods, and ideas between the American colonies and Europe. […]
