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Overview
Picturesque Newark sits at the top of Delaware, enjoying all the charm of safe, small town life, yet close enough to New York City that you can sometimes see the glow of the lights.
The city planners created a lively village layout here, placing the esteemed University of Delaware near the center of town along with shops and residential neighborhoods. Progressive city planners have mixed bottom floor commercial space with upper floor living units to strengthen the local economy and open up more housing.
Newark is a fun mix of blue jeaned scholars and executive/professionals. The college kids keep things lively around here, and Newark’s proximity to Philly (an hour to the north) and Baltimore (an hour west) keep things sophisticated. Thanks to the teaching hospitals at the University, healthcare is excellent and research is cutting edge.
If you’re looking for relaxation you’ll find everything in the palm of your hand--mile upon mile of fertile parkland, seashore, boating, swimming, and sailing. Or head for the hills and ski the Poconos, a mere two hours away in northeastern Pennsylvania.
By the way, Newark is pronounced “NEW-ark” in two distinct words, instead of “NEWerk” like its Jersey cousin.
Transportation
You couldn’t be more centrally located in the mid-Atlantic than here in Newark. The I-95 corridor is minutes from campus, and Philadelphia International Airport is the major hub of several different airlines traveling around the country and around the world. If you prefer public transportation, DART First State buses serve the entire state of Delaware, and Unicity Bus System is a joint venture between the University and the City of Newark that provides free rides for everyone. Also, the Newark Rail Station that linked Newark to the rest of the “civilized world” is served by Amtrak and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).
History
Newark, DE was founded in the late 1600’s by English, Scot, Irish and Welsh settlers. The fertile land was dotted with prosperous farms, sawmills, and forges, all serving the growing mid-Atlantic region of Philadelphia, Virginia, Maryland, and Chesapeake Bay.
But it was really in 1765 when a small grammar school moved from New London, Pennsylvania to Newark that the town became distinguished. Newark was described as a “suitable and healthy village, neither too rich nor luxurious, where real learning might be obtained.” More and more people settled there, especially after 1837 when the Pennsylvania Railroad established a stop in Newark, linking it to other parts of the country.
Still the town maintained its charm. In 1960 the total population of Newark was 11,000. By 1970 it had almost doubled to 21,000. In 2006 the population was 30,060, making us large enough to be a city, and small enough to know our neighbors.
For more about the history of Newark, click here.
