FENWICK ISLAND FLOODED IN 1962 BUT THE LIGHTHOUSE HIGH AND DRY

HISTORY CAPE HENLOPEN AND BEYOND

1962 FENWICK ISLAND FLOODED

Another history lesson of the 1962 Northeaster damages and such to the Atlantic Coast of Delaware, which involved Fenwick Island and its lighthouse.

In the 1850's Fenwick was probably not an island, the two inlets being silted shut creating a long sandy strip of dunes that had a connection to the mainland at Bethany. One of the old inlets was in the town of Fenwick, near Lewes Street, the other one to the south was well down the dune's toward Ocean City. In March 1962 Fenwick Island became an Island again.

In 1859 the United States Lighthouse Board decided to build a lighthouse on the Maryland – Delaware State line. The highest spot in town is where the lighthouse stands, just a slightly higher, than surrounding terrain. At that time the lighthouse and keepers house was the only permanent structures on the beach.

Soon after the lighthouse being built and in operation, vacationing at the beach became popular and an 'assortment' of cottages were set in the shadow of the light, and a short walk to the surf. Fenwick was visited by damaging storms in 1933 and 1944, but the island of dunes was still around. Now, after the 1952 Bay Bridge and deluge of beachgoers, it's still there.

The storm in March 1962 broke through the dune's and Fenwick's beach cottages were flooded. The road out was well covered with ocean waves and sand.

But, there she stands, stood and will stand awhile, was the Fenwick Island Lighthouse, high and dry.

Abstract: Wednesday, April 17, 2019, Rehoboth Delaware Coast Press, Michael Morgan's Delaware Diary and other sources.