Remembrance of the First Memorial Church Fire 50 years ago
Time: Sunday October 29th Presented by George Coulthard Church and DAHS archivist –
Join the 10:00 Service where George will be speaking and/or attend a discussion with George and learn about the history of that fire and look at the memorabilia from that fateful day in the church’s history from 12:00-1:30, 51 W. Blackwell St.
Dover Area Historical Society (next door) will be open from 1:00-3:00, 55 W. Blackwell St.
The Early History of the Dover Fire Department
Time: Thursday Nov 2, 2023 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Presentation by Rick Kelly at the Free Dover Public Library, 32 E. Clinton Street
Dover Fire Department Memorabilia will be displayed at the Library
Come in person
or
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84533327648?pwd=R0ZzM09NaDJTek1GMjVleTdaOENjQT09 Meeting ID: 845 3332 7648 Passcode: 311008 One tap mobile +16468769923,,84533327648#,,,,*311008# US (New York) +16469313860,,84533327648#,,,,*311008# US Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbnCPS04xG
For family research, I am seeking information about Dover in the year 1880. I have some background information, but I would like to find more specific information about the size of Dover in 1880 — eg, what was the population and how many churches, stores, schools and saloons existed around that time.
Respectfully,
D. J. Hinman
from Tokyo
Dover’s population in 1880 was approximately 2,958 people.
From local historical accounts around the early 1880s:
Dover had a vibrant business district with a mix of stores and services.
There were upward of 70 stores of various types in Dover by around 1881:
25 on Blackwell Street
6 on Dickerson Street
6 on Warren Street
22 on Sussex Street
12 on other streets
Churches / Congregations active around 1880:
St. John’s Episcopal Church (Episcopal)
First Methodist Episcopal Church (Methodist Episcopal)
Second Methodist Episcopal Church (Methodist Episcopal)
Presbyterian Church of Dover (Presbyterian)
Swedish Lutheran services (precursor to Trinity Lutheran)
Roman Catholic parishioners served by St. Mary’s (Catholic) in Wharton
The Dickerson Street school building (1871/1882) served as a central public school for primary grades in the 1880s.
Secondary education at the high school level was emerging but still developing toward a dedicated building later in the 1890s and early 1900s.
As for Saloons – they are grouped with the 70 businesses and there is no specific breakdown.