Near Millsboro in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Indian River Life-Saving Station
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 11, 2010
1. Indian River Life-Saving Station Marker
Inscription.
Indian River Life-Saving Station. . With the expansion of the nation’s maritime commerce following the Civil War, the need for improved methods of assisting ships in distress was apparent. Built in 1876 by the United States Life-Saving Service, the Indian River Life-Saving Station was part of a network of similar facilities which were constructed along the Atlantic seaboard. In 1915, the Life-Saving Service and Revenue Cutter Service were merged to form the modern-day United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard continued to operate the Indian River Station until it was decommissioned following a devastating coastal storm in 1962. The property was later transferred to the State of Delaware. For a time the Station was utilized as a maintenance facility by the state’s Transportation agency. Then it became part of Delaware Seashore State Park. In 1997, the facility was extensively renovated and restored to its 1905 appearance. It is now operated by the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation in partnership with the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation. , The Indian River Life-Saving Station was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
With the expansion of the nation’s maritime commerce following the Civil War, the need for improved methods of assisting ships in distress was apparent. Built in 1876 by the United States Life-Saving Service, the Indian River Life-Saving Station was part of a network of similar facilities which were constructed along the Atlantic seaboard. In 1915, the Life-Saving Service and Revenue Cutter Service were merged to form the modern-day United States Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard continued to operate the Indian River
Station until it was decommissioned following a devastating coastal storm in 1962. The property was later transferred to the State of Delaware. For a time the Station was utilized as a maintenance facility by the state’s Transportation agency. Then it became part of Delaware Seashore State Park. In 1997, the facility was extensively renovated and restored to its 1905 appearance. It is now operated by the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation in partnership with the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation.
The Indian River Life-Saving Station was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Erected 2001 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-148.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels
Click or scan to see this page online
. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.
Location. 38° 38.018′ N, 75° 4.055′ W. Marker is near Millsboro, Delaware, in Sussex County. Marker is on Coastal Highway (Delaware Route 1), on the right when traveling north. located on Route 1 in the Delaware Seashore State Park, 3 miles south of Dewey Beach or 1 mile north of the Indian River Inlet bridge. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 25039 Coastal Highway, Millsboro DE 19966, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regarding Indian River Life-Saving Station. National Register of Historic Places:
Indian River Life Saving Service Station **
(added 1976 - Building - #76000582)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 11, 2010
2. Indian River Life-Saving Station Marker, looking north along Coastal Highway
located at the driveway for the Station and Museum
•
Area of Significance: Transportation •
Period of Significance: 1875-1899 •
Historic Function: Transportation •
"The Indian River Life Saving Station is a relic of the days when the Delaware coast was a notorious graveyard of ships. It stands near the site of the old Indian River inlet, scene of many shipwrecks from colonial times forward. The building is one of the oldest surviving lifeboat stations on the coast." Edward F. Neite (1976)
Also see . . . 1. Indian River Life-Saving Station. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on December 12, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Indian River Life-Saving Station. Delaware State Parks entry (Submitted on December 12, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 11, 2010
3. Indian River Life-Saving Station Marker, looking south along Coastal Highway (State Route 1)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 11, 2010
4. Indian River Life-Saving Station Marker and Rehoboth Bay, seen in background
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 9, 2013
5. Indian River Life-Saving Station Marker
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 11, 2010
6. Indian River Life-Saving Station , one-time tower
Photographed By Edward F. Heite, 1976
7. Indian River Life Saving Service Station Elevation from the West.
1976 National Register of Historic Places Property Photograph.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 11, 2010
8. Indian River Life-Saving Station
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 11, 2010
9. Indian River Life-Saving Station , todays look
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 11, 2010
10. Indian River Life-Saving Station, one-time crow's nest
Atlantic Ocean at background
Photographed By Mike Stroud
11. Indian River Life-Saving Station, nearby is one-time Coastal Defense Watch Tower
Looking out for enemy aircraft and submarines, a part of the Delaware coastal defense network
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 11, 2010
12. Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum
Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,129 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 19, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5. submitted on September 29, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6. submitted on October 19, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 7. submitted on September 29, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on October 19, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.