Are you proud of Delaware history? I certainly am. Our little state has overcome quite a bit of political turmoil and plenty of natural disasters, and still stands proudly as the first state of the nation. What I love about living in one of the oldest states is the history in nearly every town. It’s rare to find a street, neighborhood, or downtown district that doesn’t have a long and storied history. Check out some of the more popular Delaware destinations to see what they looked like way back in the past.
- Rehoboth Beach
Delaware Public Archives In 1962, Rehoboth Beach was badly damaged in a March nor’easter that many called the storm of the century. Here’s a photograph of the area, recently cleaned up from the storm.
Flickr / Payton C. Present Day Rehoboth Beach bears almost no storm “scars” and is a bustling beach town in the summer, and a beautiful retreat in the off season, too.
- Rodney Square / Wilmington
Delaware Public Archives Rodney Square has always been a popular neighborhood of Wilmington. Here it is in 1950 - can you spot Hotel DuPont?
Flickr / C Conn Like everywhere in Delaware, Rodney Square has gotten much more built up and congested since the early days.
- Middletown
Delaware Public Archives Here’s Middletown’s Main Street in 1968 - can you spot any familiar sights?
Facebook / Middletown Main Street Middletown’s Main Street in 2016 is still a bustling town center - and it even retained some of its historic charm. Do you ever visit just to walk around and shop?
- Bethany Beach
Delaware Public Archives Bethany Beach in the early 1900s. Note the Addy Sea Inn in the background, and the total lack of beachgoers.
Flickr / Erin Johnson Now, Bethany Beach is a top family resort town! It’s still less crowded than Rehoboth, but it’s absolutely busy in the summer. And the Addy Sea Inn? It’s still there - and it’s very much haunted.
- Delaware Memorial Bridge
Delaware Public Archives Here’s a photograph of the beginning of the Delaware Memorial Bridge in 1950. Can you imagine what it was like without the bridge connecting us to NJ?
Flickr / C. Conn It’s such a familiar sight now that we take it for granted - the DMB has made commuting easier for thousands of people daily.
- Delaware Park Racetrack
Flickr / UD Library Delaware Park was just a thoroughbred track when this postcard was made.
Facebook / Delaware Park Casino Now, it’s a bustling casino and racetrack - and a training ground for many of the nation’s top thoroughbreds. Did you know that Afleet Alex, the racehorse that shined the spotlight on Alex’s Lemonade Stand, got his start here?
- Loockerman Street, Dover
Flickr / UD Library Loockerman Street has always been the heart of downtown Dover - check it out, and the old Post Office, in this post card.
Flickr / Mike Mahaffie It’s still the most bustling section of downtown Dover! I love to stroll the streets and shop. The history of this town really makes you think about everyone that’s walked Loockerman Street in the past, too.
Of course, all of these old, historic towns come with stories of their own, and since it’s October, it’s so much fun to think about paranormal Delaware history, right? If you’re brave enough, read about some of the most famous, historic Delaware ghosts…
Delaware Public Archives
In 1962, Rehoboth Beach was badly damaged in a March nor’easter that many called the storm of the century. Here’s a photograph of the area, recently cleaned up from the storm.
Flickr / Payton C.
Present Day Rehoboth Beach bears almost no storm “scars” and is a bustling beach town in the summer, and a beautiful retreat in the off season, too.
Rodney Square has always been a popular neighborhood of Wilmington. Here it is in 1950 - can you spot Hotel DuPont?
Flickr / C Conn
Like everywhere in Delaware, Rodney Square has gotten much more built up and congested since the early days.
Here’s Middletown’s Main Street in 1968 - can you spot any familiar sights?
Facebook / Middletown Main Street
Middletown’s Main Street in 2016 is still a bustling town center - and it even retained some of its historic charm. Do you ever visit just to walk around and shop?
Bethany Beach in the early 1900s. Note the Addy Sea Inn in the background, and the total lack of beachgoers.
Flickr / Erin Johnson
Now, Bethany Beach is a top family resort town! It’s still less crowded than Rehoboth, but it’s absolutely busy in the summer. And the Addy Sea Inn? It’s still there - and it’s very much haunted.
Here’s a photograph of the beginning of the Delaware Memorial Bridge in 1950. Can you imagine what it was like without the bridge connecting us to NJ?
Flickr / C. Conn
It’s such a familiar sight now that we take it for granted - the DMB has made commuting easier for thousands of people daily.
Flickr / UD Library
Delaware Park was just a thoroughbred track when this postcard was made.
Facebook / Delaware Park Casino
Now, it’s a bustling casino and racetrack - and a training ground for many of the nation’s top thoroughbreds. Did you know that Afleet Alex, the racehorse that shined the spotlight on Alex’s Lemonade Stand, got his start here?
Loockerman Street has always been the heart of downtown Dover - check it out, and the old Post Office, in this post card.
Flickr / Mike Mahaffie
It’s still the most bustling section of downtown Dover! I love to stroll the streets and shop. The history of this town really makes you think about everyone that’s walked Loockerman Street in the past, too.
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