Newport, Delaware
Newport is a town in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. It is on the Christina River. It is best known for being the home of colonial inventor Oliver Evans. The population was 1,055 at the 2010 census. Four limited access highways, I-95, I-295, I-495, and Delaware Route 141 intersect within one mile (1.6 km) of the town. Geography Newport is located at (39.7137238, −75.6093709). According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has an area of , of which 2.22% is water. History Prior to European settlement, the Minquas (or Susquehannock) peoples lived in and around modern-day Newport. This heritage is reflected in the name of the Minquas Fire Company, Newport's volunteer fire company. The first land grant for the area were awarded to the Duke of York in 1641. In 1735, longtime area resident and businessman John Justis purchased and several years later the streets of a town called Newport-Ayre were laid out. According to Newport histories, Justis saw the area's potential as a commercial crossroads and a port. George Washington passed through during the Revolutionary War during preparations for the Battle of the Brandywine in 1777. The town dropped "Ayre" from its name by the time