August 14th, 2009
Just North of the Indian River Inlet Bridge is the restored U.S. Life-Saving Station
I have been living in the area of Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach for many years and it is amazing to me, now, to realize how many areas of my beaches I have taken for granted.
Take the Indian River Life-Saving Station. It has been there since 1876 and through the years I passed by it all the time. Looked at it and kept on going. Never had the curiosity to stop and see what it was all about until now. It is the only station in Delaware that is still standing in its original location.
The United States Life-Saving Service placed stations throughout the coastline to help rescue sailors and cargo from shipwrecks. The government appointed a keeper, who lived with a crew of men in the stations and these “surfmen” were familiar with the local waters. They worked during the stormy season of September through April.
The service operated until 1915, when the U.S. Life-Saving Service and the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service merged to form the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Indian River Life-Saving Station was restored to its 1905 appereance. It opened its doors to the public in 1998.
There are many different tours throughout the year besides the tours of the station. They offer lantern tours along the water’s edge, historical demonstrations, and nature programs. The Station has a gift shop and is also able to handle weddings and special events.
They have State Park guided kayak trips, as well as different classes. For example, learn to make your own rope bracelet known as “sailor bracelets” or “surfers bracelets”. Please call and find out what programs they still have available now that the summer is coming to an end.
I spoke to Jim Hall who is the Nature Center Manager and he is in charge of all the programs. If you need more information call telephone 302-227-6991 or go to the website www.destateparks.com
If you vacation in all of my beaches, please go visit this museum, who also serves as the Park Office for the Delaware Seashore State Park. Don’t wait as long as I have. I cannot wait to go back and try one of the kayak trips.
It is very easy to get to the Station since it is located on Rt. 1, 3 miles south of Dewey Beach or one mile north of the Indian River Inlet Bridge.
Note: Information on the Station for my post was taken from the Journey Along the Sands by Robert Trapani, Jr. and from the Delaware Seashore State Park.
Tags: Bethany Beach, Delaware Beaches, Delaware Seashore State Park, Dewey Beach, Museums, rehoboth beach, Shopping, Things to do at the beach, What to do at the beaches
