Loading map...

1918 Map of Rehoboth

Name: 1918 Topographic Map of Rehoboth
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1918
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1918

About this map

Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay dominate this coastal landscape, separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a thin, vulnerable barrier strand. This 1917 survey captures the Sussex County shoreline before modern development transformed the quiet fishing and farming communities of Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Bethany Beach. Inland, the map reveals a network of small, specialized schoolhouses like Yellow Hill School and Long Neck School, alongside community pillars such as the Grange Hall and Trinity Church.

Transport and trade are defined by the winding reaches of Love Creek, Herring Creek, and Pepper Creek, which penetrate deep into the surrounding necks of land. These tidal waters were central to the local economy, connecting inland settlements like Dagsboro and Millville to the sea. The map also documents several Coast Guard Stations strategically positioned along the dunes, highlighting the importance of maritime safety along this shifting shoreline during the early twentieth century.