May 26th, 2012
“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.
February 19th, 2010
I have been meaning to apply for membership to the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce (RBDBCC) for some time. Thursday would be the day. And, I decided to go in person. I think its better when introducing yourself, a person sees you face to face.
A Chamber of Commerce is also referred to as a Board of Trade. It is a form of business network. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community.
The first chambers were founded in 1599 in France and Belgium. But, the world’s oldest English speaking Chamber of Commerce is in N.Y. and was established in 1768.
The RBDBCC and the Visitor Center are right at the entrance of Rehoboth Avenue, just before the roundabout (lighthouse circle), depending which way you are coming or going. In the complex you will find the Visitor Center and on the corner of the property there is a separate building that houses the actual administrative offices. Also in this complex you will find the Rehoboth Beach Museum.
I met with Carol Everhart and she is the President/CEO of the RBDBCC. The Chamber’s address is P.O. Box 216, 501 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Email address is carol@beach-fun.com, and the website is www.beach-fun-com. Tels. are 302-227-2233, Ext. 13 or 800-441-1329, Ext. 13. Fax # 302-227-8351.
Carol was very nice in explaing everything the Chamber has to offer. I was at the right place at the right time because they were running a special; it was even a better deal as they are getting ready to finish all their directories for the upcoming season, as well. So, take notice, because it could be a good opportunity to join now and get your business on the books.
I did not know in what category my blog would fall into, but I found out that, pending my approval, I will be under services and computers. The majority of the members are in this category also.
So, with my membership application in place and my check made for the year, I felt good. Afterall, we are all trying to connect in some way and I feel that AboutMyBeaches is doing its job by informing visitors and residents alike about our beaches’ events, activities, restaurants, what to cook for dinner, where to find that good summer corn or the best crabs. Really, how lucky are we to experience “Life Along the Coast”.
I said my farewell and off I went next door to the Rehoboth Beach Museum. I am just telling you a bit about it because I really would like to go back and spend more time.
The Rehoboth Beach Museum is really worth it. You will be able to go back in time and if you are a long time visitor or resident you will really relish the memories of times gone by. It is also the home of the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society.
The Museum is in the Old Ice House. In the late 19th century businesses and residents began to use ice to preserve the foods and to cool drinks. The ice was cut from Silver Lake. I wrote a post on Silver Lake on January 30th and if you would like to see it just go on the Archives on the left hand side of this blog and click on the month of January and scroll to the date. When the ice was cut from Silver Lake during winter then it was stored in small, wooden buildings that were heavily insulated with sawdust. The ice would be available from May through October. Later on it was shipped by railroad.
The Museum is just over a year old. Today, the Museum Docent was Pattie Gause and she was geat. She explained everything with detail. Pattie took me to see enlarged photographs of old Rehoboth Beach. They are available for purchase. Some showed the train coming through the middle of the Avenue. The Boardwalk looked so high.
The Rehoboth Museum is filled with memorabilia from residents and visitors. One section has old postcards and you can read what people are saying about Rehoboth Beach.
There is the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse Replica which was originally built for the Wyeth family who had a house in Rehoboth. N.C. Wyeth, famous illustrator and Andrew Wyeth, famous painter.
You will also find Commemorative Plates, milk bottles from the Rehoboth Dairy, and all kinds of information about Rehoboth Beach.
At present there is a Beach Pail Exhibit. There are so many, in all sizes, all catalogued and not one is made out of plastic. This is not a permanent exhibit, so if you are interested, take the opportunity and visit the museum soon.
The corner with the Bathing Suit Exhibit will make you realize that even in those times they were still looking for the right bathing suit. When it was all said and done the bathing suit was of about 10 yards of fabric; pantaloons, blouse, skirt made out of wool, black stockings, canvass slippers and the total weight was 30 lbs. No wonder they needed ropes to hang on to. Swimming was only permitted from 11 until 2 p.m.
The Museum is small but very well represented. Souvenirs are available for purchase.
For more information, please stop by and pay them a visit.
Nancy Alexander is the Director of the Museum.
In the Fall and Winter they are closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The address is: 511 Rehoboth Ave., tel. is 302-227-7310 and the email is rbhistoricalsociety@verizon.net.
Note: Information on Chambers of Commerce was taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamber_of_Commerce. Information on the History of the Old Ice House was taken from a brochure at the Museum.
So, I guess I will talk to you later…..
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