Clearing snow from Delaware roads in 1932

Delaware, particularly Sussex County, experienced its first significant snowfall of the 2016-17 winter this past Saturday.  The cold and blowing snow tested the highway department’s plowing capabilities.  Not long after roads were cleared, drifting snow covered them again. Vehicles driving on the snow then smashed the snow to ice, causing further problems. 

In 1922, State Highway Commission Chief Engineer C.D. Buck first suggested that money be appropriated for snow removal in Delaware. In his recommendation, he wrote: “The traveling public is entitled to the use  of improved roads 365 day a year.” 

In 1932, state highway crews resorted to the old tried and true to clear a particularly heavily snowed section of the Kenton to Smyrna road.  When this photograph was placed into the archives it carried the following caption: “In spite of truck and tractor plow, at times the snow shovel is supreme.”