Rehoboth Avenue Christmas scene of yesteryear

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, we are firmly in the holiday season. This holiday scene shows Rehoboth Beach from a different perspective.

Many of the buildings featured in this photo of the north side of Rehoboth Avenue still stand today, albeit with new tenants, new signs and, in some cases, new paint colors. The most noticeable building missing today is the large white structure to the left, which was once the Center Theater. It is now the location of Browseabout Books. It’s also evident a barber shop used a portion of the theater building too, much like the Center Theater’s counterpart The Clayton in Dagsboro. Other businesses featured include a Chinese restaurant, Russell Brothers’ Hardware, Walsmith’s Variety Shop, an Acme grocery store and the Carlton Hotel.

Although this photograph is undated, it is believed to be after 1964, when Walsmith’s relocated to the north side of Rehoboth Avenue from its original location in the Moore Building at the corner of Second Street.