Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Historical marker displaying brief history of Rehoboth Beach

Many centuries ago, sea levels were lower, and the Atlantic Coast lay about 30 miles (48 km) farther east than it does today. At the time, the area would have resembled inland portions of southern Delaware today. By the time the first Europeans arrived in the area in the 17th century, the coastline was at its present location and several Native American Indian tribes lived in the area, including the Lenape (or Delaware), the Sikkonese, the Assateagues, and the Nanticoke. The site was the location of what may have been the most important Native American fishing village on the Middle Atlantic coast (the evidence has been obliterated by development).[9] Pressure from English and Dutch settlers radiating outward from Cape Henolopen near Lewes, Delaware at the entrance to Delaware Bay forced the Lenape to migrate to upper New York state, eastern Canada, and eventually to the west in Indian Territory (later formed Oklahoma, Kansas, parts of Arkansas) while the Sikkonese and Assateagues were extirpated; the Nanticoke, however, still exist in the general area today. The land later came under the control of the Duke of York, younger brother of King Charles II who also seized and occupied in 1664 the Dutch colony further north at the mouth of the Hudson River on Manhattan Island and adjacent Long Island as New Netherland with Fort Amsterdam and the village of New Amsterdam. Followed by the previous Swedish colony on the upper Delaware River at Fort Christina and New Sweden (which the Dutch had attacked and occupied several years earlier). These later became part of the English and later British America colonies/provinces of New York state and New York town along with renamed Wilmington and New Castle along the Delaware River as part of the colonial Province of Pennsylvania and later in the future state of Delaware. Later the Duke himself granted holdings to various landholders who endured into the 18th century. The duke later ascended to the English throne himself as King James II of England and also James VI of Scotland.

By the mid-19th century, the descendants of these landholders were farmers attempting to make a living off the relatively poor sandy infertile land.[10]

The town was founded in 1873 as the Rehoboth Beach Camp Meeting Association by the Rev. Robert W. Todd, of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church of Wilmington, Delaware, as a site for Methodist (Methodist Episcopal Church) camp meetings in the spirit of similar resorts further north on the New Jersey shore, such as Ocean Grove. The Camp Meeting Association disbanded in 1881, and in 1891, the location was incorporated by the General Assembly of Delaware (state legislature) as "Cape Henlopen City". In 1893, it was renamed to Rehoboth Beach.[11]

Rehoboth (Hebrew: רְחוֹבוֹת) means "broad spaces." It appears three times in the Old Testament as a place name: a well dug by Isaac (at modern Wadi er-Ruheibeh) (Genesis 26:22), a city on the Euphrates River (Genesis 36:37; I Chronicles 1:48), and one of the cities of Asshur (Genesis 10:11) in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq). Hence the name may have had a special appeal for the religious founders of the city, although the adjacent bay had already borne the name Rehoboth for at least a century before the town was founded.[12]

The first boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach was constructed in 1873 and has seen changes in configuration from weather and storms over the years.[13] The Junction and Breakwater Railroad constructed a line from Lewes south to Rehoboth Beach in 1878, running down the center of today's Rehoboth Avenue. The arrival of the railroad allowed visitors to come in from northern Delaware and Pennsylvania and its cities and towns, leading to the beginning of Rehoboth Beach as a tourist destination.[14] After the railroad came to Rehoboth Beach, the center of camp meetings and city life moved to nearby Baltimore Avenue. The original Henlopen Hotel opened in 1879, being replaced with another hotel of the same name on the current site. A paved highway was built by the state between Georgetown and Rehoboth Beach in 1925, which helped bring in travelers from the west in the metropolitan areas of Washington, D.C., Baltimore and other parts of Maryland and northern Virginia.[13]

The Avery's Rest Site, Dodd Homestead, Peter Marsh House, Thompson's Loss and Gain Site, Thompsons Island Site, Warrington Site, and Woman's Christian Temperance Union Fountain are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, maintained by the National Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior.[15]

Rehoboth Beach boardwalk looking north

The town often bills itself as "The Nation's Summer Capital" because it is a frequent summer vacation destination for Washington, D.C. residents as well as visitors from Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Vacationers are drawn for many reasons, including the town's charm and the absence of a sales tax in Delaware. The Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk is a 1-mile (1.6 km) long wooden boardwalk adjacent to the beach with restaurants, shops, amusements, and attractions.[16] Several restaurants and shops are located along the town's main street, Rehoboth Avenue. Outside of Rehoboth Beach along Delaware Route 1, are the Tanger Outlets, which operate three locations along the highway with over 130 outlet stores.[17]

Rehoboth Beach is also known as one of the mid-Atlantic coast's popular LGBT-friendly getaways because of the large number of LGBT-owned and operated businesses and because of the LGBT-frequented stretch of beach near Queen Street at the south end of the boardwalk, known as Poodle Beach.[18][19][20] Poodle Beach attracts gay men while North Shore Beach within Cape Henlopen State Park attracts lesbian women.[21]

Rehoboth Beach has a seasonal beach patrol who is in charge of lifeguarding the one and a half miles that make up the town's beachfront. They operate from Memorial Day weekend into the following fall season. The beach patrol is on duty every day between Memorial Day until Labor Day from 10am until 5pm on weekdays, and 10am until 5:30pm on weekends.[22]

The Rehoboth Beach Bandstand is located on Rehoboth Avenue near the boardwalk and serves as a free open-air music and entertainment venue in the summer months, with performances from over 50 bands during the season. Performances have been held at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand since 1963.[23]

Rehoboth Beach looking north

Reader's Digest named the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk as "Best of America" and featured it in the May 2006 issue. Additionally, AARP has named Rehoboth Beach as one of five dream towns as "Best Places to Retire".[24]

The town has several festivals including the Sea Witch Festival, the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival,[25] and the Rehoboth Beach Autumn Jazz Festival[26] every year.

The Clear Space Theatre Company, a professional theater company, offers a year-round schedule of musical and dramatic productions in the Rehoboth Theatre of the Arts.

Dogfish Head Brewery's original brewpub is located on the town's main strip Rehoboth Avenue. The location has grown in years as a popular destination for American craft beer enthusiasts.[27] Grotto Pizza was founded in Rehoboth Beach in 1960 and has grown to 24 locations throughout the state of Delaware along with parts of Maryland and Pennsylvania.[28] Grotto Pizza has three locations in Rehoboth Beach, of which two are along the boardwalk while the other is along Rehoboth Avenue.[29]

The restaurant scene in Rehoboth Beach was traditionally centered in the downtown area, which remains competitive. In the 21st century, a restaurant scene has begun to develop along the Delaware Route 1 corridor, where parking is more available and accessible.[30]

In 2011, the city passed a smoking ban covering parks and playgrounds, but sparing the beach and boardwalk.[31] The smoking ban was extended to the beach, boardwalk, and adjacent public areas in 2014. In 2017, the city implemented a ban on tents, canopies, and large umbrellas on the beach, the first such ban in Delaware.[32]

Nicola Pizza is a well-known business in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware opened in 1971. Soon afterward, Nicholas Caggiano, owner of Nicola Pizza, originated the Nic-o-Boli. He first offered it to his employees and later he sold it to his customers, and it soon became very popular. Essentially, the Nic-o-Boli is overstuffed stromboli filled with marinara sauce, meat, cheese, and other various toppings.[33]

Third Space Theatre is a relatively new addition to the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk, opening their summer series in 2020 with both a Murder Mystery Dinner Theater production of "The Sinister Secret" in the evenings, and a Children's Theatre production of "Even Monsters Can Be Princesses" during the day. Performing right off the boardwalk at the Atlantic Sands Hotel, this newer attraction appeals both to visiting tourists, and to locals looking for a fantastic show and delicious food.[34]

A view of the beach at Delaware Avenue.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²), of which, 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it (28.48%) is water. Rehoboth Beach is bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, on the north by the town of Henlopen Acres, and on the west and south by unincorporated portions of Sussex County. Cape Henlopen State Park lies just to the north of Rehoboth Beach, and Dewey Beach is just to its south.[35]

As of the census[36] of 2000, there were 1,495 people, 847 households, and 343 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,266.5 people per square mile (489.2/km²). There were 3,167 housing units at an average density of 2,682.9 per square mile (1,036.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.13% White, 0.27% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.54% from other races, and 0.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.94% of the population.

There were 847 households out of which 6.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.8% were married couples living together, 3.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 59.4% were non-families. 47.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 23.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.71 and the average family size was 2.35.

In the city, the population was spread out with 7.0% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 18.5% from 25 to 44, 33.3% from 45 to 64, and 37.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 57 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $51,429, and the median income for a family was $66,844. Males had a median income of $56,250 versus $28,295 for females. The per capita income for the city was $67,715. About 3.1% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.

Rehoboth Beach is governed by a mayor and a city manager. As of 2017, the mayor is Paul Kuhns and the city manager is Sharon Lynn.[1][37] There are several departments, city boards, commissions, and committees that oversee the daily functions of the city government. Some of these officials are elected while others are appointed.[38][39]

Police services in Rehoboth Beach is provided by the Rehoboth Beach Police Department, which consists of 17 full-time officers and 9 full-time dispatchers along with additional seasonal police officers in the peak summer months.[40] Fire protection to Rehoboth Beach and nearby areas is provided by the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company, which maintains three stations.[41]

Silver Lake

In addition to beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, there are several parks located in Rehoboth Beach. Grove Park is home to a playground, pavilion, restrooms, and benches. Stockley Street Park is located along Silver Lake and has benches and a playground. Teardrop Park offers a dock along Silver Lake. Lake Gerar Park is located along Lake Gerar and has benches and a playground. There are tennis courts that are located at Deauville Beach. Deer Park and Central Park offer wooded areas that allow for wildlife viewing. Lee Street Park offers trees for shade. Martin's Lawn, located near the Anna Hazzard Museum and the Senior Center, offers a grassy area and trees.[42]

Situated on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, Rehoboth Beach's climate is moderated by the Atlantic Ocean and the Rehoboth Bay. According to the Trewartha climate classification system, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware has a humid subtropical climate with hot and moderately humid summers, cool winters and year-around precipitation (Cfak). Cfak climates are characterized by all months having an average mean temperature > 32.0 °F (> 0.0 °C), at least eight months with an average mean temperature ≥ 50.0 °F (≥ 10.0 °C), at least one month with an average mean temperature ≥ 71.6 °F (≥ 22.0 °C) and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. During the summer months in Rehoboth Beach, a cooling afternoon sea breeze is present on most days, but episodes of extreme heat and humidity can occur with heat index values ≥ 100 °F (≥ 38 °C). The highest air temperature ever recorded in Rehoboth Beach was 102 °F (39 °C) on June 21, 1997.[63] During the winter months, episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values < 0 °F (< -18 °C). The plant hardiness zone in Rehoboth Beach is 7b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 8.1 °F (-13.3 °C).[64] The lowest temperature ever recorded in Rehoboth Beach was −11 °F (−24 °C) on January 17, 1982.[65] The average seasonal (Nov-Apr) snowfall total is 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) and the average snowiest month is February which corresponds with the annual peak in nor'easter activity. Large amounts of snowfall are infrequent, but recent significant snowstorms include 10 inches (25 cm) of snowfall on February 24, 1989,[66] 18 inches (46 cm) of snowfall on February 3, 1996.[67] and 16 inches of snow on December 26, 2010.

According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware would have a dominant vegetation type of Oak/Hickory/Pine (111) with a dominant vegetation form of Southern Mixed Forest (26).[71]

• Sarah Aldridge, writer of mainly lesbian fiction under pen name Anyda Marchant.[72]
• Joe Biden, 47th Vice President of the United States (2009–2017), United States Senator from Delaware (1973–2009), candidate for President of the United States in 1988, 2008, and 2020, owns beach house in North Shores neighborhood.[73]
• Jill Biden, educator and Second Lady of the United States (2009–2017), wife of Joe Biden, owns beach house in North Shores neighborhood.[73]
• Tony Coelho, United States Representative for California's 15th congressional district (1979–1989).[74]
• John Delaney, United States Representative for Maryland's 6th congressional district (2013–2019) and candidate for President of the United States in 2020, owns beach house in North Shores neighborhood.[73]
• A. Felix du Pont, member of du Pont family that served as vice president and director of E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., owned summer home in Rehoboth Beach.[75]
• Mary Beth Ellis, long-distance triathlete.[76]
• Robert Gover, journalist and novelist.[77]
• Aurelio Grisanty, artist who painted the Beach Town Posters series.[78]
• Robert Cutler Hinckley, artist who painted portraits.[79]
• Tony Kornheiser, co-host of Pardon the Interruption on ESPN and former sportswriter.[80]
• Kathy McGuiness, Delaware State Auditor (2019–present).[81]
• Robert McG. Thomas Jr., journalist, owned summer home in Rehoboth Beach.[82]
• William H. Vernon, member of the Delaware House of Representatives (1977–1981).[83]

• ADC Sussex County, Delaware Street Map Book, 1st Edition. Alexandria, Virginia: Alexandria Drafting Company, 2005.
• Meehan, James D. From Saints to Sinners...Rehoboth Beach Memoirs. Bethany Beach, Delaware: Harold E. Dukes, Jr., 2000.m OCLC 44948093.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Rehoboth Beach.

• Official website
• Rehoboth Beach Main Street - Nonprofit Downtown Organization