May 26th, 2012
Vacationing in Rehoboth Beach, The Nation’s Summer Capital, Delaware, The Rehoboth Beach Visitors’ Center, The Rehoboth Railroad Station, Gateway to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Beaches
“The Nation’s Summer Capital” – In 1925 a paved highway was finished between Georgetown and Rehoboth Beach. This helped link Rehoboth to the paved roads towards Washington, D.C. Soon, after that, it was so much easier to get to and from the resort. Diplomats, legislators and government employees made Rehoboth Beach their summer destination. At present, Rehoboth Beach and the surrounding Delaware Beaches are a year-round destination. A way to get out of town, so to speak.
Front
This Visitors’ Center in Rehoboth Beach is the easiest to spot. I decided to visit on Thursday because this is no ordinary Visitors’ Center. This charming building was a full fledge train station. It was built in 1879 just after train service was extended to Rehoboth Beach. Travel to the beach was found to be easier, faster, and more comfortable.
This is not its original location. It was closer to the ocean on Rehoboth Avenue.
In the 1920s, train travel to and from Rehoboth Beach came to a stop. It had always been seasonal, suspended during the winter.
In 1927 Rehoboth Avenue was being paved. The Station was stripped of its shed roofs and was moved to a side of Rehoboth Ave. adjoining other buildings. On that spot it continued to function as an express freight and a Western Union Office. Sold in 1950 after all service was ended.
Back with plenty of parking
The Station was always remembered as The Railroad Station regardless of which businesses occupied it. In 1987 the Station was moved to this present site at 501 Rehoboth Ave., at Lighthouse Island Park.
In 1985 the Rehoboth Railroad Station Preservation Society was formed. Members of the Rehoboth Beach Homeowners Association and the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerced got to work promptly to restore an important piece of this community’s past.
Inside the Visitors’ Center you will find plenty of information to keep you busy during your stay in our coastal village. Discounts; remember your Sand Dollar Savings card is available, free of charge.
It looks like the inside of a train station; which is really what it was. Old photos of what Rehoboth Beach used to look like will amaze you at how far this town has come; still keeping its integrity.
So, make this your first stop as you embark on the enjoyment of everything Rehoboth Beach!!
Have a great Day!! Talk to you later.
Note: Information for this post was taken from information provided on the brochure of Rails along The Chesapeake, A History of Railroading on the Delmarva Peninsula 1827-1978, John C. Hayman; Marvadel Publishers. The History of the Rehoboth Railroad Station.
Tags: Coastal Delaware, Delaware Beaches, Information about Rehoboth Beach, Nation's Summer Capital, rehoboth beach, Rehoboth Beach Visitors' Center, Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce, Southern Delaware, Sussex County, Traveling to Rehoboth Beach, Visiting Rehoboth Beach, Visitors' Center in Rehoboth Beach
