Woodland Beach

Approximate area of Woodland Beach, Delaware. Delaware Official Road Map, 1940, paper, 1985.035. Image courtesy of Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.
Image: Map marker locating Woodland Beach placed on the Delaware Official Road Map, 1940, paper, 1985.035. Image courtesy of Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.
Photo of Hotel at Woodland Beach - stamp: 1c Benjamin Franklin, Delaware Public Archives, RG 9015-028-000 Caley Postcard Collection

Image: Hotel at Woodland Beach – stamp: 1c Benjamin Franklin, Delaware Public Archives, RG 9015-028-000 Caley Postcard Collection. View the original source at Delaware Public Archives.

Woodland Beach is located along the west coast of Delaware Bay in Kent County. Woodland Beach is located on the ancestral homeland of the Lenni-Lenape people, similar to Augustine Beach. An August 15, 1888 article noted the presence of a pavilion, hotel, dancing room, bar room, and a grove in the vicinity of the beach area.

On more than seven occasions between 1884 and 1906, the proprietor of the Woodland Beach resort area hosted “Colored (Peoples) Day,” “Big Thursday” or “big” Saturday events for Black people of the area to enjoy the beach and its surrounding amenities. We know this because of the events announced in the Delaware Gazette and State Journal and The Smyrna Times throughout the years.

Newspaper clipping of Smyrna Times - August 20, 1890 article about picnic day for colored people at Woodland Beach

Image: Screenshot of the Smyrna Times, August 20, 1890

Newspaper clipping of Smyrna Times August 12 1891 news article about Woodland Beach "Colored Day" and "Big Thursday" event

Image: Screenshot of the Smyrna Times, August 12, 1891

Newspaper clipping of Screenshot of the Smyrna Times March 3, 1890 advertisement for the opening of Woodland and an August 13, 1884

Image: Screenshot of the Smyrna Times March 3, 1890 advertisement for the opening of Woodland

An 1890 advertisement for the opening of the beach for the season after June 25th, also noted “ a fine orchestra, under the leadership of Wm. Oglesby of Chester, will supply first-class music every day.” Another 1890 announcement about the devastation of a storm to Woodland Beach mentioned the destruction of a fish house owned by Stokesberry and the end of the steamboat pier being completely torn away. People traveled to Woodland Beach via car, wagon, and aboard the steamer, Thomas Clyde, out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Newspaper clipping of August 13 1884 announcement steamer – The Clyde traveling to Woodland Beach excursions

Image: August 13 1884 announcement steamer – The Clyde traveling to Woodland Beach excursions

The Clyde made daily trips to Woodland Beach as early as 1884 according to an announcement in the Smyrna Times on August 13, 1884. A storm in 1914 completely destroyed the resort area.

Additional Resources

  • “Delaware Has A Lost Town Most People Don’t Know About,” Only in Your State – Delaware. 09 Sept 2018, accessed August 17, 2021.
  • “Smyrna and the Vicinity: Short Items of General Interest Gathered During the Week.” The Smyrna Times. 15 Aug. 1900. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
  • “Woodland Beach: A Pleasant Beach Walk at the Site of One of the First Thrill Rides,” 2 Oct 2020, Delmarva Back Roads, accessed August 12, 2021.

Related Topics:  , , ,