During the Jim Crow Era
Woodland Beach
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.
Image: Screenshot of the Smyrna Times, August 20, 1890
Image: Screenshot of the Smyrna Times, August 12, 1891
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.
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.
- “Crowds At the Bayside.” The Smyrna Times. 15 Aug. 1888. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
- “Woodland Beach!” The Smyrna Times. 20 Aug. 1890. 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.