April 18th, 2010
Delaware’s World War II Towers, Delaware Beaches, South Bethany, Dewey Beach, Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, History Buffs, Fort Miles, Re-enactment, Artillery Demonstrations, 3/24/10
Standing Guard on Tower Rd., Dewey Beach
Over the years, I cannot imagine how many miles I have put on my car by driving up and down Coastal Highway, also known as Rt. 1. On that beach route, I always take a look at the Towers that guard our beaches. They are like ghosts from years past. I really do look at them but keep on driving, not giving them another thought.
But, on Thursday, when it was such a gorgeous day, once again I found myself driving and taking in the scenery, I decided to stop and take a closer look. They looked so, I can’t explain it, maybe; lonely?
When I started this blog last July, my idea was to write about the area from my heart. To promote these beaches that are so beautiful, the restaurants, the events and activities, and the friendliness of the residents. But, the Delaware coast is so much more than that; its history is key. Afterall, we are in the First State, and the towers are part of that history; hopefully not to be forgotten. The Fort Miles Historical Association, which is located at the State Henlopen State Park in Lewes is taking responsibility for their maintenance.
I have to give you some info. on these towers so that next time you are driving with family and friends you can explain to them their significance.
Eight of the 11 towers built along the Delaware and New Jersey coastlines during WWII are here in our beaches; 3 are in N.J. They were used as artillery spotting locations. Our military was posted in each of the towers to coordinate artillery fire on enemy ships off our coast. This fortification was from 1940 to 1942 during which these huge fortifications were erected at the mouth of the Delaware Bay to protect Philadelphia.
The towers have different heights and some of them have only two viewing slits, while others have four. Apparently, the military could see about 14 1/2 miles into the Atlantic.
From the upper level the spotters could scan the Atlantic for enemy vessels; could direct the fire of the guns mounted along the coast.
It was believed that after Pearl Harbor, the Delaware Beaches were in danger. In 1942 the German U-boats were skinking an average of a ship per week. The Jacob Jones was one of those ships torpedoed off the Delaware coast and over 100 of its crew perished.
There is a book written by William C. Graynor called Delaware’s Ghost Towers, The Coast Artillery’s Forgotten Last Stand During the Darkest Days of WWII, which you might want to check out for more information.
Please mark your calendars because on, Saturday, April 24th, Fort Miles will present The War Years, a Special Event. It will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (1000-1600). The location will be Fort Miles Historic Area inside the Cape Helopen State Park. Fort Miles was a key part of the Nation’s coastal defense. Re-enactors will be in period uniform and exhibits will include Battery Tours. The cost will be $3/person. There will be a Memorial Service for Leland C. Jennings, Jr. at 3 p.m. (1500). Mr. Jennings was Chief Historian and Director of Cultural Affairs for the State of Delaware. He played a major role in the refurbishment project for Fort Delaware, as well as for the preservation and development of Fort Miles. He was a member of the Fort Miles Historic Association.
More info? Please call 302-645-6852 or 302-644-5007. You may also visit www.destateparks.com.
Note: Information for this post was taken from www.bethany-beach.net/world_war_ii_towers.htm and from www.beach-fun.com.
Have a great Sunday…Gorgeous day in the Delmarva Peninsula…Talk to you later…
Tags: Activities, Artillery Demonstrations, Bethany Beach, Delaware Beaches, Dewey Beach, Events, Fort Miles, Lewes, Re-enactment, rehoboth beach, Things to do at the beach, What to do at the beaches, World War II Towers
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Do you rent sand wheel chairs?
I grew up in lower Delaware in the 1950’s. At that time the gun towers were not bricked up and you could go inside of them. We spent a lot of time in the one on Tower Road while my Dad surf fished. Back then, there were even some stairs that you could claim in the tower. Dad carved our names in the concrete inside the tower. When we visit and I see those towers it feels like I’m a kid all over again.
I had been inside the one in South Bethany in the late 70s. Thanks for your comments. I love them too.
During our first trip to Dewey Beach for the Greyhound event, spring Dewey, we took a drive and came across these. I am totally fascinated! Thank you for the information on the few that are left.
I had the privilege of a 10 year old kid transferring from Ohio with my family (William J. Hopkins, becoming the Director of Delaware State Parks)and another family (Earl Fenton’s family) to Fort Miles, which later became Cape Henlopen State Park. I was a 10 year old boy that had access to the entire military base, including the bunkers, and was thrilled with exploring all the buildings before they were demolished. We lived in the fire station, and later, the Fentons moved to the Post Office. Most of the towers were explored by us before the public could access them. My father has a plaque on the pier, and my mother has a dedicated bench located at the park. I wish Earl Fenton also had something to commemorate his help transferring the military base to a state park, but he later lived at Brandywine Park, and has been memorialized there.
How nice. Thanks for sharing. Very interesting. Love those old sentinels.