Like Thieves in the Night: Crime and Punishment in Jazz-age Wilmington

We often imagine interwar America as a setting straight out of a crime novel—an era of bootleggers, gangsters, organized crime, and the determined lawmen who pursued them. While many of these tales have drifted into myth, primary sources reveal the remarkable true stories of one of the most turbulent periods in American history.

The Wilmington Police Pedigree Files provide a rich archive of crime and justice in early 20th-century Delaware. These records chronicle everything from career jewel thieves to intricate schemes of deception and murder. They also shed light on the broader social challenges of the time, including racial discrimination, unequal treatment, and harsh punishments that reflect the era’s inequalities and struggles.

Whether you’re exploring political history or seeking inspiration for a noir novel, this collection offers invaluable insights. Join us as we uncover the crime, intrigue, and complexity of old Wilmington through the collections of the Delaware Public Archives.

Host:

Joe Sullivan, joe.sullivan@delaware.gov

Delaware Public Archives

302-744-5018