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Dover, DE

Frequently asked questions

Dover, DE

Dover is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Delaware. It is also the county seat of Kent County and the principal city of the Dover metropolitan statistical area, which encompasses all of Kent County and is part of the Philadelphia–Wilmington–Camden, PA–NJ–DE–MD, combined statistical area. It is located on the St. Jones River in the Delaware River coastal plain. It was named by William Penn for Dover in Kent, England (for which Kent County is named).

The city is named after Dover, Kent, in England. First recorded in its Latinised form of Portus Dubris, the name derives from the Brythonic word for waters (dwfr in Middle Welsh). The same element is present in the town's French (Douvres) and Modern Welsh (Dofr) forms.

Dover was founded as the court town for the newly established Kent County in 1683 by William Penn, the proprietor of the territory generally known as the "Lower Counties on the Delaware." Later, in 1717, the city was officially laid out by a special commission of the Delaware General Assembly. The capital of the state of Delaware was moved here from New Castle in 1777 because of its central location and relative safety from British raiders on the Delaware River. Because of an act passed in October 1779, the assembly elected to meet at any place in the state they saw fit, meeting successively in Wilmington, Lewes, Dover, New Castle, and Lewes again, until it finally settled down permanently in Dover in October 1781. The city's central square, known as The Green, was the location of many rallies, troop reviews, and other patriotic events. To this day, The Green remains the heart of Dover's historic district and is the location of the Delaware Supreme Court and the Kent County Courthouse.

Health and wellness are integral to the lifestyle of Dover's residents. The Bayhealth Medical Center serves as a prominent healthcare institution, offering comprehensive medical services to the community. The center's website provides details on healthcare services, facilities, and community health initiatives, showcasing Dover's commitment to well-being. The city also offers health and wellness centers and services. Planet Fitness is a popular gym chain with various fitness equipment and classes for overall wellness. Delaware State University Wellness Center provides fitness facilities, classes, and wellness programs for students and the community. Anytime Fitness is a 24-hour gym with fitness equipment, classes, and personalized training options for wellness goals. YMCA of Delaware - Central Branch offers fitness programs, swimming pools, and wellness activities for all ages. Enjoy a relaxing facial or schedule your waxing treatment or lash service at Be Well Massage. 

Top sites in Dover, DE are Bally's Dover Casino Resort, Air Mobility Command Museum, and Dover Motor Speedway.

Population: 39,894 (2023). ZIP codes: 19901, 19906. Area code: 302. Elevation: 30 ft (9 m). Area: 23.97 sq mi (62.09 km2).

FAQs

What makes Dover, DE popular among tourists?

Celebrate Dover's rich history at the Dover Days Festival. This annual event dedicated to Delaware's culture features immersive family-friendly activities like parades. For an eclectic lineup of live musical performances by some of the most current artists in the industry, purchase passes to the Firefly Music Festival. This bright, colorful festival features a silent disco, beach club, and a central market for a night of music and fun. Also known as the "Monster Mile," this renowned racetrack has been entertaining fans for over 50 years and is famous for being the largest concrete-only racing venue in NASCAR.

What happened to Dover, DE on August 4, 2020?

On August 4, 2020, Hurricane Isaias produced an EF2 tornado that struck the city. Trees were significantly damaged, including some that fell on homes, roofing was blown off a middle school, a warehouse had metal walls torn off, some tractor trailers were blown over and a garage was severely damaged. Damage in Dover was rated EF1. The tornado would be on the ground for tracked 35.78 miles (57.58 km), becoming the longest-tracked tornado in the state, but there were no casualties.

What is the history of Dover, DE?

Dover was founded as the court town for the newly established Kent County in 1683 by William Penn, the proprietor of the territory generally known as the "Lower Counties on the Delaware." Later, in 1717, the city was officially laid out by a special commission of the Delaware General Assembly. The capital of the state of Delaware was moved here from New Castle in 1777 because of its central location and relative safety from British raiders on the Delaware River. Because of an act passed in October 1779, the assembly elected to meet at any place in the state they saw fit, meeting successively in Wilmington, Lewes, Dover, New Castle, and Lewes again, until it finally settled down permanently in Dover in October 1781. To this day, The Green remains the heart of Dover's historic district and is the location of the Delaware Supreme Court and the Kent County Courthouse.

Sources

City of Dover

Wikipedia

Visit Delaware Villages

Bally's Dover Casino Resort

Air Mobility Command Museum

Dover Motor Speedway

Bayhealth Medical Center

Planet Fitness

Delaware State University Wellness Center

Anytime Fitness

YMCA of Delaware - Central Branch

Be Well Massage

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