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Bethany Beach, Delaware History - City Information

Unlike most town's beginnings, the town of Bethany Beach was actually founded by members of a Christian church from the Washington DC and Pennsylvania area. The church members originally had it in their minds to secure a piece of land for an abiding, yearly seaside congregation meeting place for Christian churches to gather from all around the country. A gentleman by the name of H. L. Atkinson won a nation wide contest and his prize was a lot on the beach, and he named it 'Bethany'. They called it a 'Haven of rest for quiet people'. In July of 1901, Bethany's first building, 'The Tabernacle' was proudly constructed. The Tabernacle endured 60 years until a fierce storm hit and destroyed it's beautiful structure. Later in 1903, the first boardwalk was built, another proud addition to this seafaring town.

Today, Bethany Beach is a beautiful, seaside community with a half mile boardwalk graced with eateries, volleyball, basket ball and video arcades. It is a town with serene sandy beaches, cozy lodgings and plenty of vacation homes for returning residents to come and enjoy the warm sun, ocean breezes and calm atmosphere. On the Bay side of the town, there is plenty of swimming, fishing, surfing, and raft riding. Bethany, along with Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Dewey , South Bethany and Fenwick Island make up Delaware's Beach resort area, where tourists from all over the country frequent all summer long. It is known as "The Quiet Resort" with both the infamous Delaware Sea Shore State Park, as well as a 6 mile barrier Island just north of it's borders Within this quaint, maritime town, there are plenty of wonderful eateries to please every palate, both simple and sophisticated. For fresh seafood, steaks and a friendly atmosphere, you can't beat Bethany Blues BBQ. It's a restaurant with a "Southern blues twist" and a captivating 2 story high wall fountain. Bootsie's Bar-B-Que has a fired up charcoal pit serving mouth watering beef, chicken and pork BBQ, with plenty of home cooked side dishes to make all their customers feel as if they are right at home in their mom's cozy kitchen. For a more elegant dining experience, Parkway Restaurant is a lovely place to eat. With it's Hawaiian, Pacific cuisine and candle lit dinners, each guest is sure to feel pampered, and leave with a wondrous sense of peace and plenty.

 

Nearby to Bethany is Rehoboth Beach., an entrancing city that offers everything from great shopping, fine dining, delicious seafood, movie theaters, the infamous boardwalk, fabulous B&B's, hotels, museums, fishing, divine Sunday brunches and beautiful, serene, sandy beaches. For tax free, endless shopping, the Tanger outlets is a must to visit. With over 130 name brand shops, there is something for everyone and there are plenty of places within the outlets to stop for a meal or a quick snack. When visiting in Rehoboth, there are two places that every visitor is highly urged to stop in to see. Nicolas Pizza and Victoria's Restaurant. Both are completely different in the gift they will send one home with. Nicola's is a very famous Pizzeria with an ambiance that will take one back to their childhood with the fresh aromas of garlic, tomatoes and fresh baked bread....Their homemade pizzas are worth the long lines that gather outside in the summer months. On each wall, beside every table, is a famous face with a personal autograph, as these stars and renown people have frequented Nicolas. Seeing these gives one the hope, that perhaps one night, they may see someone famous sitting across the restaurant and feel that magical feeling. Another enchanted feeling to experience is the train that circles the restaurant, creating the feelings of being a child again....bringing back the memories of the train that traveled around the spruce Christmas tree as presents were opened with such joy and excitement.

For the connoisseurs of Vintage wines, art and history, Lewes, Bethany's other neighboring city, beckons all to come, explore and enjoy. The Nassau Valley Winery offers free self guided tours to all three of their galleries. For History lovers, a must see in Lewes is the Zwaanendael Museum as well as the Cannonball House where displays of Cape Henlopen's history and the legend of the H.M.S. De Braak ship is told. Two Historic Lighthouses on the Delaware shore that are worth exploring are the Delaware Breakwater east end lighthouse and the Cape Henlopen lighthouse. Both, are a sure attraction that will bring one a sense of awe and peace as the history and magnificent architecture are viewed.

Bethany Beach is a perfect seaside community with all of the amenities of bountiful city living . With many great schools, public libraries, grocery shopping, fitness centers, and an ideal location to such historic cities as Annapolis, Baltimore, Wilmington and Washington DC, Bethany is a wondrous place to visit or relocate to.