Rehoboth Beach Saving Station in Dewey Beach

The original life-saving station at the end of Dagsworthy Street in Dewey Beach was commissioned in 1878. It was one of six such stations along Delaware’s coast, including ones in Fenwick Island, Bethany Beach, Indian River, Lewes and Cape Henlopen. Known as the Rehoboth Beach Saving Station – prior to the establishment of Dewey Beach – it was discontinued in 1921.

According to an article from the News Journal in July 1921, the discontinuance was a directive issued by Secretary of the Treasury Andrew W. Mellon to reduce the number of life-saving stations along the Atlantic Coast for the purpose of curtailing federal expenses. The Morning News reported July 26, 1921, that the Rehoboth station closed the day before. Since the closure happened during Prohibition, some local residents were concerned about large stretches of the beach being unguarded. “Prohibition enforcement sympathizers are using every influence ... [to encourage] the government to reopen these stations as the closing of them lays open a large stretch of Delaware coast to the opportunities of liquor smugglers.”