How Lewes Played a Major Role in the Founding of Rehoboth Beach

Following the Civil War, Rehoboth Neck was a collection of farms that ran from Lewes to what is now Dewey Beach. Thanks to the recommendation of Rev. Warner, the pastor of Bethel Methodist-Episcopal Church in Lewes, Rev. Robert Todd took the train from Wilmington to Lewes in 1872 to tour the Rehoboth Seaside Farm of Lorenzo Dow Martin along with Rev. Warner and several other prominent Lewes lawyers and businessmen.

Rev. Todd was so impressed with what is now downtown Rehoboth that he raised funds to purchase Martin’s 200-acre farm and another 200 acres from the Marsh family. He established the Rehoboth Beach Camp Meeting Association which laid out Rehoboth’s streets and lots that exist today and built a tabernacle, tent houses, and a hotel. Within six years, the railroad was extended from Lewes to Rehoboth, signaling the end of the camp meeting era.