The year was 1916. Woodrow Wilson, a democrat from New Jersey, was president, and it was the third year of World War I. Delaware would celebrate its 129th birthday that year. And Beebee Hospital in Lewes opened.
The state population has surged since then, changing the landscape forever. But if you look closely around the state, you’ll still see glimpses of years gone by. Here are some historic photos of Delaware that we found from 1916, or just prior. See if you can picture where those spots would stand (or some that still do) today.
- The Cape Henlopen Lighthouse in Lewes
Delaware Public Archives The history of Delaware is heavily soaked in seawater and coastal projects. The Cape Henlopen Lighthouse was built in 1767, and it was paid for by lotteries held in Philadelphia. The stone to build the lighthouse was brought down from along the Brandywine River in Wilmington.
- The Capitol Hotel in downtown Dover
Delaware Public Archives The Capitol Hotel was built in the 1830s, and is also known as the Parke Building. Today, it’s a contributing structure to the Dover Green Historic District and is home to the new Golden Fleece Tavern. The original tavern was an important meeting place in the Colonial history of Delaware.
- Farming outside Milford
Agriculture has always been important to the history of Delaware, and many vintage photos of Delaware show off our farms and fields. Delaware’s most important crops are peaches, soybeans, and berries.
- Market Street in Laurel
Can you believe Laurel once looked like this? It’s so fun to browse historic photos of Delaware and see how our small towns and cities have changed over the years.
- Boats lined up in Bowers Beach along the Murderkill River
Delaware Public Archives Bowers Beach is a shipbuilding town, and you’ll find evidence of how busy this bay coast was in many old photos of Delaware. To this day, you’ll find vintage ships docked along the Murderkill, and working ships bringing in their catch.
- The rifle range for the Delaware National Guard
This rare photo shows off how the Delaware National Guard would train on the eve of World War I.
- Sipple’s Marble Yard in Seaford
Delaware Public Archives Seaford is one of the most unique towns in the history of Delaware. You’ll find all sorts of industry thriving in this river town, even today.
- Rodney Square in Wilmington
Delaware Public Archives Rodney Square looks a whole lot more crowded today. Do you recognize any of the historic buildings that are still standing?
- Hulling berries at a farm in Seaford
National Archives There are those berries again! Delaware’s agriculture is still one of our most important industries today.
- Georgetown’s Return Day, which is still held on election years
Delaware Public Archives Return Day is an old Delaware tradition! Two days after each election, the parties head to the Circle to bury a figurative hatchet.
- The boulevard in Rehoboth Beach
Delaware Public Archives Rehoboth Beach has been a popular resort town for as long as anyone can remember. The earliest vacationers had to travel down here on sand and packed dirt roads.
- Robinson and Warner Halls at the University of Delaware, which in 1914 were built to house the Women’s College
University of Delaware Archives The University of Delaware is one place that keeps growing, and growing! Have you ever walked past Robinson and Warner Halls? They’re still standing in Newark today.
Surely, some of us whose Delaware roots go back hundreds of years have black and white, or sepia toned photographs in a box somewhere, that shine a light on what this little state looked like a century ago. For more fun learning about the history of Delaware, read about how History Comes To Life In This Delaware Town That Seems Frozen In Time.
Delaware Public Archives
The history of Delaware is heavily soaked in seawater and coastal projects. The Cape Henlopen Lighthouse was built in 1767, and it was paid for by lotteries held in Philadelphia. The stone to build the lighthouse was brought down from along the Brandywine River in Wilmington.
The Capitol Hotel was built in the 1830s, and is also known as the Parke Building. Today, it’s a contributing structure to the Dover Green Historic District and is home to the new Golden Fleece Tavern. The original tavern was an important meeting place in the Colonial history of Delaware.
Agriculture has always been important to the history of Delaware, and many vintage photos of Delaware show off our farms and fields. Delaware’s most important crops are peaches, soybeans, and berries.
Can you believe Laurel once looked like this? It’s so fun to browse historic photos of Delaware and see how our small towns and cities have changed over the years.
Bowers Beach is a shipbuilding town, and you’ll find evidence of how busy this bay coast was in many old photos of Delaware. To this day, you’ll find vintage ships docked along the Murderkill, and working ships bringing in their catch.
This rare photo shows off how the Delaware National Guard would train on the eve of World War I.
Seaford is one of the most unique towns in the history of Delaware. You’ll find all sorts of industry thriving in this river town, even today.
Rodney Square looks a whole lot more crowded today. Do you recognize any of the historic buildings that are still standing?
National Archives
There are those berries again! Delaware’s agriculture is still one of our most important industries today.
Return Day is an old Delaware tradition! Two days after each election, the parties head to the Circle to bury a figurative hatchet.
Rehoboth Beach has been a popular resort town for as long as anyone can remember. The earliest vacationers had to travel down here on sand and packed dirt roads.
University of Delaware Archives
The University of Delaware is one place that keeps growing, and growing! Have you ever walked past Robinson and Warner Halls? They’re still standing in Newark today.
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Address: Delaware, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
historic photos of delaware January 11, 2020 Kim Magaraci Where can I find more old photos of Delaware? The Delaware Public Archives is a great place to start! They have thousands and thousands of photos from more than a hundred years ago. You can browse their collection online, or visit in person. What is the oldest photo of Delaware? While it’s hard to say for sure who snapped the first film photo in Delaware, you can find the earliest depictions from the first state at the Nanticoke Heritage Museum. The First State’s only Native American museum shows a glimpse at the life of the earliest settlers in what we now call Delaware. Where can I learn about the history of Delaware? The Delaware History Museum in Wilmington can be found in an 18th century building, and it’s packed with exhibits that tell the story of the First State.
The OIYS Visitor Center
historic photos of delaware
January 11, 2020
Kim Magaraci
Where can I find more old photos of Delaware? The Delaware Public Archives is a great place to start! They have thousands and thousands of photos from more than a hundred years ago. You can browse their collection online, or visit in person. What is the oldest photo of Delaware? While it’s hard to say for sure who snapped the first film photo in Delaware, you can find the earliest depictions from the first state at the Nanticoke Heritage Museum. The First State’s only Native American museum shows a glimpse at the life of the earliest settlers in what we now call Delaware. Where can I learn about the history of Delaware? The Delaware History Museum in Wilmington can be found in an 18th century building, and it’s packed with exhibits that tell the story of the First State.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The Delaware Public Archives is a great place to start! They have thousands and thousands of photos from more than a hundred years ago. You can browse their collection online, or visit in person.
What is the oldest photo of Delaware?
While it’s hard to say for sure who snapped the first film photo in Delaware, you can find the earliest depictions from the first state at the Nanticoke Heritage Museum. The First State’s only Native American museum shows a glimpse at the life of the earliest settlers in what we now call Delaware.
Where can I learn about the history of Delaware?
The Delaware History Museum in Wilmington can be found in an 18th century building, and it’s packed with exhibits that tell the story of the First State.
