Thomas Cox purchased land near Alden's Island in 1834 and built a sawmill, corn cracker, gristmill, and a carding machine facility all of which were powered by water wheels situated on a mill race off of the Kankakee river which runs through Wilmington.
The town is also home to the historic Eagle Hotel located on the northwest corner of state Rt 53 (Rt 66) and water street (Rt 102).