Oldtimers: When was Wilmington thrown in with Philly? (Philadelphia, New Castle: living in, airport)

[Joe84323]

How old is this whole "Tri-State" metro area?

I always believed, as a Wilmington native, that Wilmington wasn't identified with Philadelphia until recently, but the more I learn, the further back the attachment goes.

I've even seen TV stuff from the early 50s already using "tri-state" and "Delaware Valley" terminology.

I am pretty sure that at one time, Wilmington had it's own identity, but I'm wondering when it was assimilated into Greater Philadelphia.

Anybody know?

[kyle19125]

Not sure when, but I've been bewildered (especially on this forum) how it's often left out of conversation
when people from out-of-state are asking for relocation advice for communities near the airport for example. Look at a map people!

[kidphilly]

I believe it was in the 1980 Census

[JasmineFlower]

Originally Posted by Joe84323

I've even seen TV stuff from the early 50s already using "tri-state" and "Delaware Valley" terminology.

I am pretty sure that at one time, Wilmington had it's own identity, but I'm wondering when it was assimilated into Greater Philadelphia.

Anybody know?

I don't know for sure (I'm not an old-timer in the least), but given postwar building and expansion and the completion of 95 as an interstate, your guess of the 1950s, seems like it would be the most likely given it gave greater access between the cities. I think the rail line was already there (the tracks and the ability), but I'm sure that too became more efficient during this time and into the next decade.

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Not sure when, but I've been bewildered (especially on this forum) how it's often left out of conversation
when people from out-of-state are asking for relocation advice for communities near the airport for example. Look at a map people!

Yeah, me too, but then, I've noticed that users in the Philly forum seem to suggest certain areas over and over again and leave out others frequently. Not sure if many more on here live in those areas and so they like suggesting them or what, but it seems limited sometimes. In other states and cities, I've noticed more variety in suggestions.

[solibs]

Originally Posted by JasmineFlower

Yeah, me too, but then, I've noticed that users in the Philly forum seem to suggest certain areas over and over again and leave out others frequently. Not sure if many more on here live in those areas and so they like suggesting them or what, but it seems limited sometimes. In other states and cities, I've noticed more variety in suggestions.

I've posted in a few threads on here where living in Wilmington has been presented as an option.

I think part of the problem is that, especially for Pennsylvanians, outside of the 4 suburban counties there is only this nether world of places that suck that lie between them and the places they like to visit. Just think of the language that they use. Take two people, one from Cherry Hill and the other from Upper Merion and put them in California. A guy on the street asks where they're from and the Cherry Hill native says, "the Philadelphia suburbs." The person from Upper Merion would then correct them and say "I live in the Philly 'burbs. Cherry Hill is in South Jersey."

The other problem is that since New Castle Co. doesn't border the City, people think of it as they would think of Salem Co., Mercer Co., etc. That and people who come here looking for advice usually come with jobs in the Center City, Great Valley, Ft. Washington, Route 38 corridor, etc.