Mayor Otis Smith celebrates Lewes’ 325th anniversary

For the first time in many years, Lewes will have a mayoral election Saturday, May 14. Over the last 70-plus years, the First Town has had only a handful of mayors. Before current Mayor Ted Becker, there was Jim Ford (2004-14), George H.P. Smith (1994-2004), John Adams (1992-94), Al Stango (1968-92) and Otis Smith (1950-68). As many people know, Otis Smith was the owner of the menhaden fish-processing plants in Lewes. In this 1956 photograph, Mayor Otis Smith is joined by Gov. J. Caleb Boggs, Lt. Gov. John Rollins and G. Edward Wyatt at Lewes’ 325th anniversary celebration. After serving as governor from 1953-60, Boggs served as a U.S. Senator from 1961-73. Rollins, a businessman with Lewes connections, made a bid for governor in 1960, but lost a close race to Democrat Elbert Carvel. In just nine short years, Lewes will be celebrating its 300th anniversary.