Fort Christina, the first Swedish settlement in North America, holds a significant place in the history of Delaware. Established in 1638, it was named after Christina, Queen of Sweden, and served as the principal settlement of the New Sweden colony. Located near present-day Wilmington, Delaware, Fort Christina was strategically positioned at the confluence of the Brandywine and Christina Rivers, making it an ideal location for trade and defense.
Establishment and Early Years
The
establishment of Fort Christina was part of King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden's plans to create a Swedish colony in North America. On March 29, 1638, Swedish settlers arrived in Delaware Bay aboard the ships Kalmar Nyckel and Fogel Grip, under the command of Peter Minuit. Minuit, a former director of the New Netherland colony, chose the site along the Christina River for its natural wharf, known as "The Rocks," which was optimal for trade in beaver pelts with the local Lenape. The site was also considered easily defensible, leading to the construction of an earthwork fort around the Rocks.
During its early years, Fort Christina faced challenges from the Dutch, who had claimed the area south to the Delaware River. Despite these tensions, the Swedish colony expanded, with additional settlers arriving from Sweden and homes and farms being built outside the fort's confines.
Conflicts and Changes
The colony of New Sweden was in constant friction with the Dutch, who established Fort Casimir in 1651 to menace the Swedish settlement. In 1654, the Swedes captured Fort Casimir under Governor Johan Risingh's orders, fearing reprisals, and strengthened Fort Christina's defenses by adding a wooden palisade around the earthworks.
However, in 1655, the Dutch returned in force under Peter Stuyvesant and laid siege to Fort Christina. After ten days, the fort surrendered, ending the official Swedish colonial presence in North America. The Dutch renamed Fort Christina as Fort Altena, although most of the Swedish colonists remained and continued their linguistic and religious practices.
Legacy and Transformation
After the English fleet invaded the area in 1664, the land became part of English possessions, and the original Swedish fortifications fell into disrepair. New fortifications were built during the Revolutionary period, and Fort Union was established during the War of 1812.
In the nineteenth century, the peninsula where Fort Christina once stood became heavily industrialized, housing factories like the Jackson and Sharp Company and Mingus Iron Works. In 1938, to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Swedish colonization, Delaware created a park containing the Rocks and the site of the former forts, marking the enduring legacy of Fort Christina in American history.
