Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-05-13
Excursion to the Rehoboth Beach Camp
Meeting Grove
The Proj jected City by the Sea shore

On tuesday morning at five O'Clock train of
four or five cars left this city for Lewes the
Reheboth Beach Camp Meeting grounds and the
projected city On the shore OF the sea forming
Rehoboth Bay. The cars contained about two
hundred gentlemen and ladies; about thirty of
whom were from Baltimore and had arrived in
this city the previous evening The morning
was beautiful one and The run down the Della
ware Railroad was most delightful. Every one
seemed as cheerful as though every care had
peen left behind and they were speeding away on
trip of pleasure. Such, however. was not
wholly the case. most of those aboard were
charged with some important business for them
selves their friends-all, however, in some way
connected with the building up of what it ls
thought will in a few years grow into enc Of the
most safe, beautiful aud deghtlul bathing places
Gu the Atlantic Ocean.
The country along the line OF the railroad bears
the evidence Of the backwarJuess of The season.
The trees which should be in iu leal being only
partially covered with foliage. The numerous
orchards do not warrant much encouragement
for expecting large yield. The Improvement in
the towns situated on the line Is very great and
their condition and surroundings indicate thrift,
Industry and great prosperity, and In many places
no small show OF wealth III fertility vi the land
and ichness OF the soil. The change in Kent
and Sussex Is wonderful and fully establishes the
utility and necessity Of our railroads to inn rove
The country and elevate the character OF tic peo-
pie as well.
The party breakfasted at Middletown and took
on board "a number of gentlemen at Dover and
Georgetown, passing the latter place about s 81
aud arriving at Lewes at 9:20 A. nj. Here were
found carriages sufficient and the whole party
were soon whirllng along the sandy road 10 ,Re-
hoooth Beach, about seven miles distant, by the
carriage road but by bee line said to be only
tour aud quarter. Ihe camp grove was reached
about lO:2O. The sea- was in full view and about
The distance OF i've squares away the sun could
be seen rolling IN and breaking upon the low,
sandy beach and again Teceding, AS though lle
water was rolling over solid floor Passing
through the grove where number OF board tents
are erected and where dinner was being prepaI ed
we soon drew up at the "surt House." "a large
frame house within about one hundred Yards Vi
the water. This is well arranged house and
will accommodate a large number of boardere
very comfortably. 1t is three stoTes with an at.
TIC. The rooms are well ventilated and The cell
lngs high. The ocean Is In iuli view from three
s'aes OF IL, anu the camp meeting grove and tie
nourlshlng country landscape from the rear Ii
was kept last year by Mrs Mary Keene OF tn,
city, who will assume its management az ain til i.
season. Cottages have been erected by Messrs
). ). Mccullough, Revs. r. W. Todd and Josspl
Mason and by I. L. Coursey, and Dr. e. X JET
lrles, OF thIs city; others are projected, and wt
i,arn that work will soon be commenced upsi
tlem AS yet the people in the Immediate vi
cinity have manifested no especial interest in th,
enterprise and but few propose to build, prefer
ing 10 use temporary structures, and waiting tht
development OF events.
The beach for about four hundred yards from
The shore Is bare Of grass and over part OF II thu
white sand is moved about by the wind duripf
the storms OF the winter and sprlng freauentl,
forming little prominences where formerly 1t wal
us level as floor. Appearances however, viii
soon be changed. The spreading of u little sol
and sowing grass seed or the laying OF sods will
quickly cover the whole beach with carpet O
green so firmly that the wind will not move th,
sand. This has been tried, aud already gress II
growing finely in several yards.
1t Is difficult TO imagine q more delightful plac,
than this will be when properly improved and de
yeloped as The Association propose to develop it
The shade for the camp meeting grounds Wi
form place for pleasant walks and drives an,
recreation the whole season, whiie the bathin,
cannot be surpassed.
The fresh water lake in the rear OF the "sur
House will form one Of the most inviting Scene
and when cleaned out and put in order Tor boat
Ing will repay its cost in the amplitude it will Of
fer for hshing. recreation and boating
The drive along the beach is about eight or tel