Officials had no choice but to prepare for the worst. It became the sixth lighthouse established in America during the colonial period. Cape Henlopen Lighthouse: . A new, temporary light set atop metal scaffolding went into use the next day. When it collapsed, it is said many local residents went to the site to collect the stone for fireplaces and chimneys. The bureaucrats were all having lunch aboard a ship when a lookout on deck shouted, Its gone!. We print the highest quality delaware state park stickers on the internet Capital Ringers, Christmas Reflections- Seaford, Lewes Lights Self-Guided Holiday Lights Tour, Expressions of Joy Duo Dolce Harp & Flute Concert, Low-Cost Health Insurance Enrollment Help, Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild Poetry Free Write. During all those momentous decades, the ocean kept advancing on the beacon, little by little. Nor were there any state funds available for salvage work., Therefore, the Delaware public has no one except itself to blame for the fact that old Cape Henlopen Light has been reduced to a mass of wreckage. Home features 3 bedrooms and 2 32060 Heritage Road - Allow the sellers' unanticipated move (job relocation) to be the new buyers 2102 N Bay Shore Drive, Milton, DE 19968 ~ Rare opportunity to design your home to leverage amazing 114 MISSISSIPPI AVE~BROADKILL BEACH~MILTON. DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL! National Lighthouse Day was established, August 7, 1989 by Congress. Cape Henlopen Beacon photographed from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware. On April 13, 1926, the lighthouse collapsed into the sea. Shop cape henlopen state park t-shirts created by independent artists from around the globe. Join us for live music this week at Sydneys - open Wednesday through After over 30 years in the business, Irish Eyes is guaranteed to do it Dine at Iron Hill to support Harry K foundation in February. This is the perfect place Paul Cullen and The Fitzkee Bros with Violinist Valerie Vuolo. 2 story, Open Floor Plan Luxury Resort Living on a Premium 31848 SHELL LANDING WAY-BAYFRONT AT REHOBOTH-LEWES. In July of 1924, however, a lighthouse keeper identified by the Wilmington Evening Journal as Captain Gray put a gloomy spin on all this activity: Government engineers are puzzled in their efforts to save the old lighthouse. Pretty much everyone in town made their way to Cape Henlopensome in carriages, some atop carts, some on foot. Packaged Christmas Dinners - Let Sydneys do the cooking this year! Because the dune moved 3 to 5 feet a year, it eventually claimed the lighthouse. The Cape Henlopen Lighthouse collapsed on April 13, 1926. There she stood, shining, as Delaware emerged from Pennsylvanias shadow and became The First State to ratify the Constitution. It had really become a member of the family in many homes, said Lewes historian Hazel Brittingham. With the building of the Brandywine Light, waiting areas were no longer needed behind the breakwaters, so the light was disabled. It sat atop the great dune, due to the fact the dune moved three to five feet a year the collapse was inevitable. 1926: A storm undermined the tower, causing it to fall seaward. SOURCE DELAWARE PUBLIC ARCHIVES, Ethel P.B. It was decommissioned in 1884 and demolished. Its probably not true, but heyits a helluva story, and its got a plucky Delawarean for a hero, so it kept getting told over and over. When it comes to iconic images of Delaware, the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse ranks at or near the top of the list. Judging by what the people say here, the wave travels not far from fifty feet a year where its course is not obstructed by the forest, but even there it travels perhaps 35 or 40 feet. The Cape Henlopen Lighthouse collapsed on April 13, 1926. On Jan. 4, 1914, the Washington Post reported that Cape Henlopen Lighthouse was completely surrounded by water in the wake of a storm. No building in our border is so crowded with Facts, History, and Tradition as this Tower. He was standing on a nearby bridge, killing time while on lunch break. As a homecoming event Easter Monday, with all its celebration, means to Lewestown what a camp meeting does to many other communities.. Ironically, the end came not with a wicked storm but on a lovely spring afternoon, sunny and 62 degrees. Feb 19, 2022 - The Cape Henlopen Lighthouse collapsed on April 13, 1926. The house was built in 1902 and was named after John M. Addy. Almost 150 years later, the sea and shore erosion won the war with the lighthouse. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There was a man who was standing on the bridge looking toward what is today's state park, and he saw the lighthouse, Brittingham said. program@rehobothbeachmuseum.org. Cape Henlopen in historic times has been gradually extending to the northwest, so that the original lighthouse eventually was at a sufficient distance from the end of land to be ineffectual for marking the point. According to John Beach's book Cape Henlopen Lighthouse and Delaware Breakwater, toward the end, the base of the seven-story lighthouse was overhanging the dune and it became popular for people to pose for photographs beneath it. One commenter from those colonial times put it this way: The wrecks which lie plentifully scattered over the beach afford a melancholy proof of the necessity of a lighthouse to the approaching navigator., To pay construction costs, those Philadelphians launched a lottery and sold thousands of tickets. FREE STAGING FOR YOUR HOME - NOT VIRTUAL STAGING, Building Materials Rise, But Lumber Prices Ease, First floor living with beautiful interior in Champions Club, Under Contract - Spacious Rehoboth Beach townhouse in Canal Corkran. rehobothbeachmuseum.org. Hours: The park is open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset. The price of liberty is eternal vigilance. Be Unique. SUBMITTED PHOTO. The lighthouse's stone has been incorporated into many Lewes homes and buildings, including two stone fireplaces in Lewes City Hall. Built in 1765, it was the second oldest lighthouse in the country at the time of its collapse. Sep 2020 Family. 39.15+/- ACRES ON RT 24! [4] All measures to protect the tower failed and in April 1926, a storm undermined the tower, causing it to fall seaward. Thompson's childhood home is one of many in Lewes featuring a fireplace faced with stone from the lighthouse. Stately and imposing, its towering form has stood out in bold relief, an assurance to mariners by day and a protection at night. Legends took shape. Website by, Order by clicking Here or visit our store. [2], Cape Henlopen Lighthouse was constructed on the north side of the Great Dune to obtain additional height. But did the project alter the flow of waves and sand in ways that moved things along faster? He was there for the next 40 years. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. It sat atop the great dune, due to the fact the dune moved three to five feet a year the collapse was inevitable. For millenia, native people lived off the land's abundant and rich resources and in the late 1600s, William Penn granted . Head Over to Headwater Cove for Fresh New Homes and an Easy Resort Slam Dunk Trivia - Win a pair of tournament passes! The lighthouse finally succumbed to a Nor'Easter and literally fell into the Atlantic Ocean. One man is reported to have half filled his automobile with rocks from the tower., The Wilmington Morning News, April 15, 1926: Souvenir hunters at the site of the fallen tower are carting off everything in sight, according to a report from Lewes yesterday. Cape Henlopen Light was a lighthouse near Lewes, in present-day Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware, . Be Unique. WATERFRONT!!! All rights reserved. An unsympathetic government will do nothing, but the people of Delaware should act. Shop cape henlopen delaware merch created by independent artists from around the globe. On Easter Monday, just a week and a day before the collapse, Brittingham said, Lewes and Rehoboth residents made their annual trek to the Great Dune to partake in the tradition of rolling Easter eggs, and themselves, down the sand hill. He blinked his eyes and when he opened them he couldn't believe it she was gone.. Stories of its collapse have been passed on for generations, with many families still telling tales of the day the lighthouse disappeared from the eastern skyline. Cape Water Taxi. This didnt cause the problem at handthe ocean had been advancing on the lighthouse since long before the breakwater came along. REDUCED PRICE! SOURCE: DELAWARE PUBLIC ARCHIVES. Custom Cape Cod Situated on Burtons Pond. After the lighthouse fell, people flocked to the site and collected remnants. JUST LISTED!! Webster blinked and saw it was gone.. The set of stamps will be shipped to you via 1st class U.S. Mail. According to John Beach's book "Cape Henlopen Lighthouse and Delaware Breakwater," toward the end, the base of the seven-story lighthouse was overhanging the dune and it became popular for people to pose for photographs beneath it. The beacon that went up on that site stood seven stories tall, a granite octagon rising from the midst of a scrub pine forest on high land about a mile from the coast. Time ran out for the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse less than a year later, on April 13, 1926. Nature Center hours: Mid-June through Labor Day 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; Fall and Spring 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily; November through March 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday but closed Monday and Tuesday. On Easter Monday, just a week and a day before the collapse, Brittingham said, Lewes and Rehoboth . 31848 Shell Landing Way, Lewes, DE 19958 - Bayfront at Rehoboth - Beautiful Sunsets from this rare Lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home on a large lot with mature trees in the Community of Lochwood Gorgeous Listing in The Henlopen Condominiums. Over that time changes came to Lewes, the Lighthouse and the Joseph family as he raised 7 children on the dunes of Cape Henlopen. Sign up below to connect with even more good times on the Shore. The Wilmington Evening Journal, 1925: After a session of such exercise, appetites are whetted for the heavy basket luncheons that have been prepared. Shop delaware state park stickers created by independent artists from around the globe. In 1777, during the American Revolution, the lighthouse was almost completely destroyed by the British. It's called Cape Henlopen Lighthouse - Beacon, Attraction and Icon. In 1925, history buff and citizen activist Everett C. Johnson tried to stoke public passions about Cape Henlopen Lighthouse by putting this long view into perspective: Old Henlopen is not just a bit of sentiment of a few who feel History and Tradition but it is known in every port the world over. All rights reserved. A beautifully decorated 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo with 1340 MUST SEE HOME IN DESIRED BAY PINES COMMUNITY WITH FULL BASEMENT. "The Cape Henlopen Lighthouse Reservation" was turned over to the War Department in 1938. )Station Established: 1767Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1769Operational: In the hours and days that followed, locals flocked to the beach to see the fallen warrior. Over the years, it has changed hands . 44 Strange and Wondrous Delmarva Tales, Eastern Shore Road Trips #2: 26 MORE One-Day Adventures on Delmarva. This photograph was reportedly made in January 1926, just months before its demise. This brings us to a young woman named Lillian Coverdale. Cape Henlopen Light is one of the striking attractions of the Atlantic coast. Before the collapse, though, the tower had been discontinued as a lighthouse. It's been 90 years since the historic Cape Henlopen Lighthouse fell from its home atop the Great Dune in what is now Cape Henlopen State Park, but the beacon remains a popular subject for artists, historians and longtime Lewes residents. When constructed, the tower stood on a shallow foundation atop a sand dune at a considerable distance from the sea. April 12, 2022. South Rehoboth. In 1897, the sand dune surrounding the tower was reported to be steadily blowing away at a rate of 3 to 5 feet (0.91 to 1.52m) a year. The tower was 26 feet in 3 Blocks To The Sand & Surf! Earlier in 1924, the lens was removed from the light for refurbishing and to be placed on display. It has covered half-a-mile in forty years., By the time this piece was published, the crest of the sandhill had moved from an estimated 25 yards north of the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse to 50 yards south of it. The lighthouse was built in 1765 and remained in operation until 1924. According to John Beach's book "Cape Henlopen Lighthouse and Delaware Breakwater," toward the end, the base of the seven-story lighthouse was overhanging the dune and it became popular for people to pose for photographs beneath it. Those hoping to visit the lighthouse that day were turned away, she said, as Coast Guardsmen had set up patrols to stop anyone from getting too close to the lighthouse. Time ran out for the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse less than a year later, on April 13, 1926. "We selected that titlewell for three reasons," said David McDonald - a volunteer with the Museum and an expert about this exhibit. Welcome To The Ideal Bayfront Experience! Cape Henlopen Beacon. Even though the structure was within the limits of Delaware, the 200 acres on which it was erected was granted by the late proprietors of Pennsylvania to the Board of Wardens for the purpose of erecting a lighthouse on Cape Henlopen." It was built on the north side of the Great Dune, 46 feet above sea level, to obtain additional height. Before collapsing in April 1926, the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse guided vessels from the Atlantic Ocean into the Delaware Bay for more than 150 years. A new exhibit opening Friday, May 27, at the Rehoboth Beach Museum will examine the historic, artistic and symbolic legacy of the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse. The Original Cape Henlopen Lighthouse. [5][6] We humans may have accelerated things by building that big breakwater nearby to protect ships and sailors. Home / Way Back Machine / Fall of an Ancient Warrior: The Cape Henlopen Lighthouse Collapses, 1926. The Cape Henlopen Beacon was a lighthouse built to mark the point of the cape, supplementing Cape Henlopen Light just to the south. The Christmas Season, 2022, Eastern Shore Road Trips #1: 27 One-Day Adventures on Delmarva, You Wouldn't Believe! She had graduated from high school just a few weeks before she decided to jump into the lighthouse fray by penning an essay in the Wilmington News Journal on June 24, 1925. Various rotary clubs tried to raise funds in support of such projects. In another book, The Cape Henlopen Lighthouse, author John W. Beach tells the story of Western Union telegraph operator Roland Webster. written by Jim Duffy and posted on March 21, 20121 for Secrets of the Eastern Shore/Whimbrel Creations LLC. Built in 1767 with money raised from a series of lotteries in Philadelphia, the lighthouse was made of stone brought down from the Brandywine River north of Wilmington, Del., near the Pennsylvania border. Many of them started collecting mementos. Built in 1767 with money raised from a series of lotteries in Philadelphia, the lighthouse was made of stone brought down from the Brandywine River north of Wilmington, Del., near the Pennsylvania . Some talk has even been heard of retailing bits of wreckage.. When constructed, the tower stood on a shallow foundation atop a sand dune at a considerable distance from the sea. During the 1800s, a huge stone breakwater was put in at Cape Henlopen so that ships could find refuge in bad weather. Ironically, the end came not with a wicked storm but on a lovely spring afternoon, sunny and 62 degrees. A replica of Cape Henlopen Light was built in 1924, and in 2004 was moved to the middle of the roundabout on Delaware Route 1A (Rehoboth Avenue) entering Rehoboth Beach. There was talk again in the days that followed of gathering up the pieces of the beacon and putting the Lighthouse back together, Humpty Dumpty style, either on the Dover Green and the University of Delaware. Return to Lighthouse Passport Stamp Collector Series ~ Lost Lights 1 Page, 2022 United States Lighthouse Society / non-profit 501c3. Civic organizations adopted resolutions urging immediate action. Every citizen should do all in his power to provide for its salvation., That young womans clarion call came too late. But its also mind-bogglinghow in the world did such a beloved icon come to such an undignified end? No, we will not send junk mailpeople on the Shore have better manners than that! Take some snacks, wipes, and fishing gear. In the wake of the collapse of the lighthouse, the Dover Republican newspaper pointed toward another accessory in the casea general public that never got truly worked up enough about saving the iconic structure. Getting there: 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE. It lies in the state of Delaware, near the town of Lewes, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. The first Lewes High School yearbook in 1930 was named the Beacon in honor of the lighthouse, and a similar tribute can be found on Lewes High School class rings from 1931 through 1969, she said. Anticipating such an end to this ancient structure, the light was changed on October 1, 1924, to an automatic light at a safer location about 700 feet farther inshore, where it has since been exhibited. Meet the Past will highlight real Lewes residents. Cape Water Taxi will take you on a 90-minute cruise where you will have time to explore the 49-foot cast iron Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse and surrounding area. It sat atop the great dune, due to the fact the dune moved three to five feet a year the collapse was inevitable. This 39.15+/- Acre parcel (Tax Map Parcel #234-28.00-172.00) 29425 PEMBROKE LANDING-PLANTATION LAKES-MILLSBORO. F U N Fishing Pier. Finally, at 12:45 p.m., that last bit of sand that meant the difference between support and non-support slipped down the hill toward the sea and after a tottering moment was followed by tons of brick and stone. 1776 Steakhouse is ideal setting for great food, conversation, 22586 RAMBLE RD~RIDINGS AT REHOBOTH~LEWES. Earlier in 1924, the lens was removed from the light for refurbishing and to be placed on . Originally constructed in 1767, the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse was nearly burned down by the British in 1777. introducing citations to additional sources, "Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Celebrates the Completion of the Rehoboth Avenue Streetscape Project", "Cape Henlopen Lighthouse replica historical marker unveiled", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cape_Henlopen_Light&oldid=1079940052, This page was last edited on 29 March 2022, at 13:13. Schools and businesses and offices closed. The demolition of the former Grotto Pizza corporate headquarters on southbound Route 1 has begun. Cape Henlopen is the southern cape of the Delaware Bay along the Atlantic coast of the United States. Ft.(Est.) We print the highest quality cape henlopen delaware merch on the internet By the early 1900s, everyone could see that the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse would soon drown if nothing were done. The tower was 26 feet in diameter, 6 feet thick at the base, 69 feet, 3 inches tall, and 17 feet, 6 inches in diameter and 3 feet . Beautiful 4 bedroom, 3 bath Home on Extra Large Lot. Building Materials Rise, But Lumber Prices Ease, Rehoboth Beach Then & Now Self-guided Walking Tour. Before the collapse, though, the tower had been discontinued as a lighthouse. JUST LISTED!! Before collapsing in April 1926, the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse guided vessels from the Atlantic Ocean into the Delaware Bay for more than 150 years. The light atop the storied beacon went dark on Oct. 1, 1924. The Delaware Cape Henlopen Lighthouse was built in 1767, funded by a chain of lotteries in Philadelphia. A second replica of the lighthouse was built and placed on a small hill overlooking the 5 points intersection on Route 1. After watching over the Atlantic for 161 years, it's time had come. There are some houses today around Lewes that still have fireplaces and hearths made of the bricks, collected by people after the collapse. An engineer floated the idea of erecting a protective steel casing along the east side of the tower. The high spring tide was being pushed along by a strong northeast breeze, and wave after wave crashed on the beach, then slithered in to nibble at the sand hill supporting the lighthouse tower. Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware Seashore State Park, and Fenwick Island State Park are homes to the eleven concrete towers built during World War II. Tributes to the fallen lighthouse can still be found today, including the replica standing in the center of the circle as drivers enter Rehoboth Beach. )Station Established: 1767Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1769Operational: Delaware Cape Region History in Photographs, More Delaware Cape Region History in Photographs Posts. JUST LISTED, a beautiful 4-bedroom, 4-full bath home in the sought-after community of Wolfe Pointe 22586 RAMBLE RD~RIDINGS AT REHOBOTH~LEWES. Before collapsing in April 1926, the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse guided vessels from the Atlantic Ocean into the Delaware Bay for more than 150 years. The Rehoboth Beach Museum will be opening a new exhibit starting next Friday, May 27. Things to know about the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse The lighthouse was a 69-foot tall whitewashed stone tower standing on a 46-foot high sand hill, one-quarter of a mile from the Atlantic shore. It is the only lighthouse still operating off the coastline of southern Delaware. But the relentless sea kept right on advancing. Pieces of the lighthouse have been incorporated into many Cape Region homes, and several replicas have been built over the years, including the lighthouse inside the Rehoboth traffic circle. Then came the main eventchildren and adults rolling themselves down the sandy slope in a series of hotly contested races. Located just off the point of Cape Henlopen, the Harbor Refuge Lighthouse (or outer breakwater) is a working unmanned light maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. Email. We have built jetties only to see them smashed, for the sea is stronger than mans ingenuity. It was built in 1767 and first lit in 1769. In 1869 Dagworthy Joseph became Keeper of the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse. As noted up at the top here, Mother Nature was the main culprit. Cape Henlopen State Park is a 5,193 acre (21 km) Delaware state park on Cape Henlopen. The land was donated by Thomas and William Penn. In addition to scores of old newspaper articles, I gleaned material for this essay from several books, including Lantern on Lewes: Where the Past is Present, Delaware Lights: A History of Lighthouses in the First State, Shipwrecks and Rescues Along the Barrier Islands of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, and Delaware: and Delaware: A Guide to the First State. They climbed to the top of the dune where the Lighthouse stood. Local tradition states that after the Tower's collapse many locals were searching the beach for pieces of stone that made up the beautiful lighthouse to . It seems strange to say that, but it was almost personified.. Leach created this painting of the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse in the 1920s. To seamen it will be as if an old and trusted friend has passed away.. However, this is also one of the most haunted places in Delaware. We have given up hope, and all we can do now is to wait until she sinks into the water.. Off the coast on the bay side are two lighthouses, called the Harbor of Refuge Light and the Delaware Breakwater East End Light. In 1905, its workers packed several tons of brush and wood around the base of the lighthouse. 29425 Pembroke Landing, Millsboro, DE 19966 - Plantation Lakes ~ This polished 3 bed/ 2.5 bath home MUST SEE HOME IN DESIRED BAY PINES COMMUNITY WITH FULL BASEMENT. The park gets crowded so go early or late afternoon/evening like we did. There she stood, shining, as British ships prowled the Atlantic Coast and the Delaware Bay during the American Revolution. . The primary culprit in the demise of Cape Henlopen Lighthouse was Mother Nature. Oh sure, those regular folks could point easily enough to the failures of various governmental agencies, but on the other hand: Eloquent please were made for [the] preservation [of the lighthouse]. In 1788, the Columbian Magazine had carried a "Description of the Lighthouse of Cape Henlopen."The article made no mention of anyone burning the lighthouse. One had evil Redcoats setting fire to the lighthouse in Revolutionary times. If you don't have time for the cruise, head to Cape Henlopen State Park, where you can view the lighthouse from the park's northeastern corner. Cape Henlopen Light is too fine a landmark, imbued with too many hallowed and patriotic associations to be allowed to disappear in disgrace. Before the Beacon was assigned a keeper. But those souvenir hunters had already taken away so many rocks, and many other rocks had been smashed into dust as they landed on the ground. On April 13, 1926, the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse fell into the Atlantic Ocean. It did say, however, "that any attempt to burn or destroy it, [the Wardens of the Port of Philadelphia] rendered highly penal by the act of the general assembly passed in the year 1773." Alas, Judgement Day arrived on Cape Henlopen earlier than thaton April 13, 1926, to be precise. The "Point" of Cape Henlopen, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, shaped the history of this landscape. Many local gift shops have wooden replicas for sale. The Addy Sea is a beautiful Victorian-style bed and breakfast with stunning sea views and a real homely feel. The community has always embraced the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse, Brittingham said. If you have kids and want a really fun fishing day head to Delaware's Cape Henlopen State Park Fishing Pier. Bill Hicks is the . Its light was automated in 1973 and the final lighthouse keepers left at that time. Situated at the mouth of the Delaware Bay sits Cape Henlopen State Park and its 6+ miles of coastline. FREE STAGING FOR YOUR HOME - NOT VIRTUAL STAGING. In fact, the status of the lighthousewas it still standing?became a regular feature of even routine stories about bad weather. There was nothing extraordinary about the weather of April 13, 1926. The Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse on the Delaware Bay at Cape Henlopen. The light was last shown on September 30, 1924. . PRICE IMPROVEMENT | Incredible Surroundings | 24 YOU'LL LOVE THE VERY NATURE OF IT! Cape Henlopen Ligthhouse, Cape Henlopen, near Lewes, DelawareOriginally built in 1767.CAPE HENLOPENLocation: "On cape (Del. If not protected by adequate defenses, its firm foundation will be disintegrated by unsympathetic waves and the towering structure will topple into the sea., This should not be. Earlier in 1924, the lens was removed from the light for refurbishing and to be placed on display. Website. Web sources included Wikipedia and Lighthouse Friends, along with quite a few others. 99 Ocean View Pkwy, Bethany Beach, DE 19930. Cape Henlopen Lighthouse and Delaware Breakwater by John W. Beach and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com. The article quotes an engineer attributing the phenomenon to the way winds from the north would pick up sand from the eastern face of the dune, then carry it up and over to the western side. Iconic beacon fondly remembered 90 years after collapse, Toward the end of its life, the base of the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse was hanging over the dune. Built in 1765, it was the second oldest lighthouse in the country at the time of its collapse. Tranquil Setting on the Indian 55+ COMMUNITY CEDAR VALLEY - REHOBOTH BEACH. The tower was 26 feet in diameter, 6 feet thick at the base, 69 feet, 3 inches tall, and 17 feet, 6 inches in diameter and 3 feet thick at the top. It was renamed Fort Miles in 1941 and after the war became an Army training base, a naval facility . That light went dark for a bit when British ships returned and bombed Lewes during the War of 1812, but she was shining again soon enough, watching over schooners and steamboats and skipjacks and motorboats. The Wilmington News Journal, April 14, 1926: The souvenir hunters started removing pieces of the rock of the lighthouse and glass from the windows. , A fine mist kicked up as the rubble hit the wave below. In 1926 the Cape Henlopen lighthouse, located on what is now known as the great dune, collapsed into the ocean. We print the highest quality cape henlopen state park t-shirts on the internet . The keeper of the Henlopen Light was in charge of maintaining the Beacon. According to the book Lantern on Lewes: Where Past Is Present, some government officials had gathered that day to inspect the lighthouse and evaluate the prospects for its preservation. This lighthouse was built in 1908 and rebuilt in 1926. 1926 - The old lighthouse tower at Cape Henlopen, entrance to Delaware Bay, fell into the sea on the afternoon of April 13. On windy days, the top of that dune resembled a windswept Sahara with sands moving in such clouds that no one could travel along the ridge except when the face was covered with a thick veil.. [1] It was the sixth lighthouse built in the colonies. The lighthouse was built in 1765 and remained in operation until 1924. For the next few paragraphs, I will just leave this story in her capable hands: The noted lighthouse after withstanding the buffet of many fierce storms for nearly two centuries is trembling almost within reach of the hungry waves of dancing waters. The Addy Sea, Bethany. Listen 5:13. Be Unique. Headline in the Wilmington Evening Journal, Jan. 2, 1925: Beacon Built in 1764 Likely to be Carried Into Sea Today by Fierce Northeaster., The Wilmington Evening News, Jan. 5, 1925: The Cape Henlopen light house was again victorious and today the beacon was still standing after battling the gale which raged in Delaware Bay.. She was built at the behest of Philadelphia businessmen tired of losing valuable cargo aboard ships that sank on dangerous shoals while entering the Delaware Bay. In 1914, protective works were built by the Lighthouse Service, but because of the general erosion of the coastline, they could not be done effectively except at a great cost. 3 Blocks To The Sand & Surf! $10 for car/truck non-Delaware residents. Longtime Lewes resident Joan Marshall Thompson said her family will always remember the day of the collapse as the day her father's sister died, when he was a boy. It is believed the last bit of sand . One way to think about this legacy of this lighthouse is by thinking of her as a sentinel, watching over Delaware and its bay through one momentous turn after another across many decades. William Penn made the beaches of Cape Henlopen one of the first public lands established in what has become the United States in 1682 with the declaration that Cape Henlopen would be for "the usage of the citizens of Lewes and Sussex County." Cape Henlopen State Park has a 24-hour and year-round fishing . MONTH OF FUNDAYS! Theres even a mini-replica set in the middle of a traffic roundabout on the way into Rehoboth Beach. A lighthouse was needed after many ships were falling victim to the dark waters around the cape. SOURCE FILE, Rehoboth Beach Then & Now Self-guided Walking Tour. It is believed the last bit of sand supporting the lighthouse gave way about 12:45 p.m. that day and the tower fell to the beach below. In 1824, the Cape Henlopen Beacon was constructed on a 45-foot (14m) tower about a mile north of the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse. The newspapers broadcasted the fact that unless the public would come across with a substantial amount of money, the old Deacon Tower would fall., In the face of all this, the public remained unmoved in so far as supplying the funds needed to save the structure, which long had been abandoned by the Federal Government. In 1905, several tons of brush were placed about the tower and oil house to prevent the foundations and brick walls from being undermined by the drifting away of the sand.[3]. . The love that gets showered on this lighthouse today isnt just a matter of nostalgia. It should be protected so that it may remain an enduring relic of the past for centuries to come., Sentiment and tradition demand its preservation. On April 13, 1926, the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse fell into the Atlantic Ocean. The beacon was operated by the federal government at this point. The demolition of the former Grotto Pizza corporate headquarters on southbound Route 1 has begun. The Reno (Nev.) Evening Gazette, May 27, 1926: [The day the lighthouse fell, it was] as if an ancient warrior were laid low at last. JUST WHAT YOUVE BEEN LOOKING FOR! The price of liberty is eternal vigilance. In the wake of the collapse of the lighthouse, the Dover Republican newspaper pointed toward another accessory in the casea general public that . The Light is featured in a lot of local artwork, books, and media. It was reported to be in the 60s with strong northeast winds. Designer touches, meticulously maintained and the perfect floor plan make this stunning home in the 4 BR, 3 1/2 Bath -3700 Sq. South Rehoboth. DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL! Somewhere along the way, Easter Monday became a holiday in Lewes. Cape Henlopen Light was a lighthouse near Lewes, in present-day Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware, United States. Many mariners from Philadelphia lobbied for the construction of a lighthouse. Each Friday we will be posting a new video alternating between Meet the Past and Lewes Legends & Landmarks. Located On The Northern Side Of Broadkill Beach, Back Bay Demo of former Grotto Pizza corporate office has begun. Welcome to this spacious bright and cheery Coastal home East of Rt 1 in Lewes with plenty of room Barrows and Associates, Ocean Atlantic Sotheby's. In an unsigned article from 1890, The New York Sun described the traveling hill of Cape Henlopen and as one of the most interesting [natural] features of the Atlantic Coast., A ridge of sand more than a mile long, fifty feet high, and two hundred yards wide in the base, is rolling inland like a mighty wave from the sea, and with a power that is irresistible. One proposal would have installed a giant arc of obsolete World War I ships to serve as a jetty around the beacon. [That] pile of wreckage should be left on the beach near Lewes as a monument to the indifference of the Delaware public to the fate that befalls landmarks in our commonwealth.. Although 96 years have passed since the tower fell to the beach, it still holds an important place in the hearts and minds of local residents and is one of the most popular . There would be egg hunts and egg rolling contests. It's a sad story, but I was always fascinated by it, she said, noting she's written poems about the lighthouse. Later efforts along these same lines included rip-rap, bulkheads, and makeshift jetties. Capital Ringers, Christmas Reflections- Seaford, Lewes Lights Self-Guided Holiday Lights Tour, Expressions of Joy Duo Dolce Harp & Flute Concert, Low-Cost Health Insurance Enrollment Help, Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild Poetry Free Write, Paul Townsend Team ~ Paul & Darlene Townsend, REALTORS. It was built in 1767 and first lit in 1769. Another thing to remember is that Cape Henlopen Lighthouse wasnt just an icon for Delawareanssailors from every corner of the world harbored memories of that granite tower. Before the collapse, though, the tower had been discontinued as a lighthouse. 2. Traditions took shape, too. History. The lighthouse was on the north side of the Great Dune on Cape Henlopen, Delaware. The beacon survived that ordeal, and many others that followed. There was even talk of moving the lighthouse to the Dover Green or the University of Delaware campus. Over time, the ocean encroached on the shoreline, threatening the stability of the lighthouse. As the 1920s dawned, various government agencies and Delaware civic groups were looking for ways to save Cape Henlopen Lighthouse for posterity. It was completed in 1767 and first lit in 1769. Its likeness can be found in galleries, on greeting cards, on websites, and in logos. A couple of landowners from up that way granted a 200-acre site to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (which, in colonial times, included Delaware.). The light is also used in the Cape Henlopen School District's logo. Welcome to 23234 Hollypatch Lane in Harbeson, Delaware, just minutes to the beaches and downtown Demo of former Grotto Pizza corporate office has begun. The essay also raises the question of whether Mother Nature had an accomplicemankind. Another light also once stood on Cape Henlopen. Actually more of a marker, it is used by pilot boats that ferry supplies out to large ships. Another observer from colonial times predicted she would stand until the end of the world: [The lighthouse] bids fair to endure until the final wreck of all things shall destroy it.. 3022277310. 17488 Kingston Drive - Looking for a quiet area with no HOA fees? Airbnb Potential, Great Investment, NO HOA, 5 Beds/3 Baths, 1.26 ac, Another HENLOPEN Unit JUST LISTED by The Mike Kogler Team. The wardens repaired the damage and it was relit by 1784. The Fairmont II model is brand new and ready for immediate occupancy. Poetic Inspiration for Beach Season: "The Great Dune". The lighthouse was abandoned after shoreline erosion undermined its foundation. Its light has been kept burning continuously since the revolution. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2022 Secrets of the Eastern Shore. Cape Henlopen Ligthhouse, Cape Henlopen, near Lewes, DelawareOriginally built in 1767.CAPE HENLOPENLocation: "On cape (Del. The state formed a special Lighthouse Preservation Commission, headed by the aforementioned Everett C. Johnson. Among the first lighthouses ever built in the American colonies, Cape Henlopen light shined from the coast between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach for 161 years, from 1764 to 1925. 1924: The tower was discontinued as a lighthouse and the lens was removed from the light for refurbishing and to be placed on display. He went into downtown Lewes and broke the news to everyone at Morris Drug Store. Thats pretty impressive, considering the fact that the lighthouse toppled into the sea nearly a century ago. 1924: An auxiliary wooden tower was built west of the old Cape Henlopen light. Passing Cape Henlopen marked a momentous turn in life for countless seamen, as the spot often signaled the start or the end of a treacherous trans-Atlantic journey. There werent enough parts left to preserve the whole. Published May 19, 2022 at 5:08 PM EDT. It was built in Henlopen cheated the old devil-sea of many a fine ship and the lives of countless sailors and their charges. Cape Henlopen Lighthouse was completed in 1769, part of the funds to erect it being raised by a 3,000 lottery. Private Mindfulness Sessions - Find Your Calm, Capital Ringers, Christmas Reflections- Seaford, Dec. 11th, Look Whos Shaping Up at the Body Shop!- Adam Kantorski, Your ITALY specialist at Jetset travel in Rehoboth Beach, Jetset travel, a trusted name in DE since 2005. 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