Bethany Beach in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Bethany Beach Loop Canal
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 11, 2010
1. Bethany Beach Loop Canal Marker
Inscription.
Bethany Beach Loop Canal. . Completed July 8, 1910, the Loop Canal marked the end of a long journey for vacationers traveling to Bethany Beach in the town’s early days. Arriving in Rehoboth by railroad, travelers would continue their voyage by boat, crossing Rehoboth and Indian River Bays to the U. S. Government (Assawoman) Canal. For a time, the final portion of the trip was completed in a two-horse drawn bus through the deep sand to the town. In an effort to improve travel conditions, a shallow waterway was dredged from the Assawoman Canal to this location. Approximately 1½ miles in length, it was constructed by the Bethany Beach Improvement Company, an organization of developers and property owners. With the opening of the canal, travelers could complete the final leg of the journey by boarding a single boat in Rehoboth. Since the shallow-draft motorboat Allie May could not back up, a loop was formed here at the First Street dock to allow the boat to turn around for the return trip.
Completed July 8, 1910, the Loop Canal marked the end of a long journey for vacationers traveling to Bethany Beach in the town’s early days. Arriving in Rehoboth by railroad, travelers would continue their voyage by boat, crossing Rehoboth and Indian River Bays to the U. S. Government (Assawoman) Canal. For a time, the final portion of the trip was completed in a two-horse drawn bus through the deep sand to the town. In an effort to improve travel conditions, a shallow waterway was dredged from the Assawoman Canal to this location. Approximately 1½ miles in length, it was constructed by the Bethany Beach Improvement Company, an organization of developers and property owners. With the opening of the canal, travelers could complete the final leg of the journey by boarding a single boat in Rehoboth. Since the shallow-draft motorboat Allie May could not back up, a loop was formed here at the First Street dock to allow the boat to turn around for the return trip.
Erected 2002 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-158.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 8, 1800.
Location. 38° 32.464′
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N, 75° 3.457′ W. Marker is in Bethany Beach, Delaware, in Sussex County. Marker is at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue (Local Road 51) and First Street, on the right when traveling south on Pennsylvania Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bethany Beach DE 19930, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. Bethany Beach Loop Canal Marker, at right, looking south along Pennsylvania Avenue
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 11, 2010
4. view of a portion of the Bethany Beach Loop Canal , near the marker, seen today
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,063 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 22, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
