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111AtlanticAve.,Suite2
P.O.Box1324
OceanView,DE19970
302.539.1788 v coastalpoint.com
Wepresenttoyou...Millville
Somehow,despitethe21stcenturyhustle andbustle,Millvillestillfeelslikeasmall town,rootedinthe1800slumberand gristmillsand1900sfarms.
Inwriting“TheStoryofMillville,”wespoke withpeoplewhohaveneverleftthistown,those whocamebackandthosewhohavejustarrived. Somewillneverreturnbutleftabitoftheir heartsbehind.
AllsharealoveforcoastalDelawareandthe roleit'splayedintheirlives.
Millvillewasneverexclusivetoitself.It'ssingularinnameonly.ChildrenwhogrewupinMillvillelearnedfishingonCedarNeck;religionin Clarksville;socializinginDagsboro;bodysurfing inBethanyBeach;andreading,writingandarithmeticinOceanView.
Thewholesurroundingareahasgrownup together,andpassersbycanscarcelytellthe townsapartwhendrivingthecentralspineof Route26.
It’sagrowingtown,closeenoughtoenjoy thebeachbutfarenoughtoavoidmostofthe mayhem,exceptsummertraffic.
CoastalPoint’sofficeinOceanViewisonly locatedabout500feetfromMillvilletownlimits, meaningtheemployeesalllive,eatorworkin Millvilleonaregularbasis.
Wordhasgottenoutaboutthisplace.Some peopleloveMillvilleasitwas,andmorepeople arecoming,tryingtocaptureapieceofthatquiet, two-lanelifestyle.Thepopulationbarelygrew from200to300peopleinthelastcenturybut hasprobablydoubledinthelastdecade.
openspacethatbuffersthetownisslatedforfuturedevelopment.TheroadtoBethanyBeach wasoncelinedwithwide-openfarmland,but Route26realestateismorevaluableascommercialspacenowadays.Andbusinessisfollowing peopletothebeach,includingDelawarechains, suchasLaTonalteca,andnationalchains,suchas PetSmart.
TownHallisfollowingsuit,planningforthe additionalpoliceprotectionandplaygroundsthat peoplewillneedandwant.
Haveyoudiscoveredthecommondenominatoryet?It’sthepeople.Oldandyoung,lifelong residentsornewcomers,Millvilleattractsgood peoplewhowantthebestfortheirhome.Their memories,attitudeandparticipationwillmake t hisgrowingtownaplaceeveryonestillloves. Thisisdefinitelyatowntowatch.
WelcometoMillville. v
—LauraWalter
‘Didthefarmers,mariners,merchants andsawyersof1870envisiona Millville ByTheSea?’
Itwon’tbequietforlong,asmuchofthe
COVER:‘ALowerDelmarvaFarmstead,Circa1800’isa localhistorian’simaginingofatypicallowerDelmarvafarm,includingvariousfences,hedgerowsanda"wellsweep,"usedfor raisingandloweringawaterbucketinawell.(Imagecourtesy: RichardB.Carter,2002)
LEFT:MillvilleVolunteerFireCompany’sthirdfireengine wasabrandnew1945Autocar,nowretiredfromserviceatthe firehall.(CoastalPointphoto)
Millvillewasaneasygoingtownof shipping,shoppingandsteammills
NestledinthesoutheastcornerofSussex County,Millvillehasalwaysmanagedto balancealittlebitofhustleandbustle withanundeniablecalmandwarmth.
Asatown,Millvilleisonlyafewmilesinany directionbuthasalwaysheldjustenoughpeople andservicestokeepthecurrentmoving,quietly,but steadily.
Asamunicipality,Millvillewasfoundedin 1907.ButthelargerareaknownasBaltimoreHundredwasafarmingcommunityforcenturies.(Hundredsareanarcha icmethodofsubdividinglandby every100familiesthatlivethere.)
EnglandhadcontrolledtheDelmarvaPeninsulainthemid-1600s,enticingthemoreadventurous(ordesperate)settlerswith50acresoffreeland
Mrs.EthelTunnell,left, andAnnaR.Dukes stnadbeforetheDukes house.
Photocourtesy Grace(Dukes)Wolfe
“ ” Itwasaprettyquiet
place,butitwasthe best.’
—Grace(Sheaffer)
Collins
toanyonewhocrossedtheAtlanticOceantosettle thisregion.
Buttwowealthyfamilieswerearguingover whocontrolledpresent-daySussexCounty.The PennsofPennsylvaniaandCalvertsofMaryland bothhadalegitimateclaim,butdebatedexactly howfarsouthPennlandextended.
Thankstoa1613maperrorbyaDutchnavigatorwhomistake nlylabeledFenwickIslandas CapeHenlopen,thePennseventuallynabbedthe southernmostchunkofDelaware.Butonthe ground,peoplewerenoteagertosettleBaltimore Hundreduntilthemid-1700sbecauseoftheongoingborderdisputeandresultingskirmishesamong thelocals.
Althougharrowheadsandotherartifactshave
beenfoundinMillville,alongWhiteCreekand otherplaces,NativeAmericanshadlongsinceleft thearea,eitherbyforceorchoice.However,they’re believedtohavespentsummersshellfishingand coolingoffalongtheIndianRiverBay.
Photoby LauraWalter
planninganewpublicroad(like lywhatisnowClub HouseRoad)“tobebuiltfromThomasSteel’s[sic] landingonWhiteCreek”totheoldschoolhouseon Route26,accordingto2013’s“TheMillWheel” newsletter.“Presumably,theroadwasusedtotransporttimberandotherproductsfromtheHolt& TownsendsteammillonCountyRoad(nowAtlanticAvenue)tothelanding…”
TheHolt& Townsendsteam mill,appearingon thePomeroy&Beers 1868map,seemsto havebeenlocated behindthemoderndayMillvilleUnited MethodistChurch. Oldmapsalso suggestthatOld MillRoadmightstill crossWhiteCreekat Derrikson’s Millponddam,
CallingMillvillehome
Mychildhoodwasspentgrowingupon CedarNeckRoad,justontheoutskirts ofOceanView.Inthe’70s,Imovedto thegreatmetropolisofMillville.isisthetownthatwe chosetoraiseourfamilyin.
Overtheyears,Millvillehasremainedprettylow-key, andIhavetosaythatisoneofthethingsthatIloveabout thistown.Wehavegrownataslowerpacethanmanyof thesurroundingcommunities.Westilldon’thaveapolice department—butguesswhat?I’mOKwiththat.Ihave alwaysfeltsafehere.
Foratleastthefirst15yearsthatwelivedinMillville, ourtowntaxeswere$16ayear.Yes,thatisnotatypo.e onlyexpensewehadasatownwasstreetlights.etown hallwasjustasmallone-roombuildingthatonlyheld about20people.
Foryears,themainconcernwaswhenweweregoing togetsewer,andthattookabout15years,asthefirsttime
“Mygrandfather workedasa carpenter,thearea gamewarden anddog-catcher, amongotherjobs, andwasoneofthe originalmembers oftheMillville firecompany.
“mostofthetownvoteditdown,andittookyearsforthe Countytobringitbacktothetable.eywerenottoo happywithus.
Butmyfamily’sroots inMillvillegomuchfarther backthanthe’70s.Mymommovedherein1945.ey cameherefromProspectPark,Pa.,wheremygrandfather hadworkedforScottPaper.Herfamilyendedupbuying DocHocker’sstore,callingitPalmatary’s,sellingsundries, giftsandicecream.
eywouldmakelunchforthehigh-schoolkids thenclosefordinnerandopenbackupintheevening. Peoplewouldbelinedupatthedoorwhentheyopened intheeveningforicecream.
Steamers isnowlocatedonthespotwheretheoriginalbuildingwas,andmanyofyouwillrememberitas Winterbottom’s.Forawhilethefamilylivedovertopthe store.
Toletyouknowalittleofwhatasmallworlditwas, thehouseweendedupinonCedarDrivewasnextdoor totheWinterbottoms’home.
Consistently Top Producing Team Award Winner
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- Linda C.
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“Cannot say enough! Tammy (M) was always kind, cheerful, efficient and honest. She looked out for us as if we were family.”
- Kay H.
Now,mydad’sfamily hasevenanolderconnectionwithMillville.My grandmotherwasthelocal midwifeintheareaatonepointandmanytimeswould moveinwithafamilyuntilthebabywasbornandmight stayaweekortwoafterwardstohelpout,soshewasgone alot.ShewouldassistDocHockeronoccasion.
Mygrandfatherworkedasacarpenter,theareagame wardenanddog-catcher,amongotherjobs,andwasone oftheoriginalmembersoftheMillvillefirecompany. HarryandFlossieCobbhad11children,withonlysixof themlivinguntiladulthood—mydadbeingtheyoungest childandnow90yearsold.
Mygrandmotherwouldtellthestoryofthedaymy fatherwasborn:Shewasoutpickingstrawberrieswhen shewentintolabor.SheyelledtothekidstogofetchDoc Hocker,butbythetimehegotthere,“Billyhadcometo town.”Andthatisexactlyhowshewouldtellit.
Mybrotherhasdonesomefamilygenealogyresearch,andhehasrecordsthatgobacktoatleastthe early 1800s forourfamilyintheBaltimoreHundred,soIguess thatIcantrulybecalledalocal.atseemstobeacontroversialtermsometimes,butformeitissomethingthat Itakealotofpridein.
“Foratleastthe first15yearsthat welivedin Millville,ourtown taxeswere$16 ayear. No,thatis notatypo.
Intheearly1900s,beforetelephonesbecamecommon,familiesand friendsshareddailynewsinletters,liketheseatMillvilleTownHall.
photobyLauraWalter
AndyandIhaveraisedthreechildrenonCedar Drive,andIthinkthatallthreewouldsaythatitwasa wonderfultowntogrowupin.eyrodebikesorwalked toschoolatLordBaltimore,asweweretooclosetoget busservice.
Atonetime,wehadmorethan20kidsgrowingup onthislittlestretchofroadnotmuchlongerthanablock, andtheyallhadgreattimestogether.Mostofthekidshad inlineskatesandwouldplayrollerhockeyrightinthe middleoftheroad.
Whentheysawacarapproaching,theywouldpick upthegoalsandmovethemoffthemiddleoftheroad untilthecarwentbyandthenskatebackwiththegoalsto continuethegame.eywouldridebikesalloverthearea withonlyonerule—andthatwasnottocrossRoute26.
NotmuchtrafficonoldCedarDrivebackthen, and itwas noteventhatlongago.Nowwecan’tevengetoutof thedriveway.
Yes,timeshavechanged.erearemorepeople, morehomesandmoretraffic,and,yes,wehavesewerand water,butallinallIthinkthatIamsafetosaythatmylife hasnotreallychangedallthatmuch.AndIamjustfine withthat. v
—StorybySusanLyons
Low-keyattitudeandsmartgrowth characterizeMillvilletoday
Sproutedfromanagriculturalcommunity, theTownofMillvillehasgrownintoa businesshubpoisedforcontinued growth.
eTowncoverstwosquaremilesandhas102 businesses.Large-scalebusinessesincludechaingrocerystoresGiantFoodandWeisMarkets,aswellas PetSmartandDollarGeneral,andsixbanks.e townishometoaBeebeHealthcaresatellitefacility, whichoffersawalk-inclinicandalabfacility.
“ “
“We’renottrying tobeintoobig ofahurry.”
–RobertGordon, Mayor
MillvilleBytheSeacreatedthis replicawaterwheelto reimaginethemillsfor whichthetown wasnamed.
MillvilleTownManagerDebbieBotchiesaidthe towncouncilrevampeditscommercialcodetohave businessactivityfocusedtotheareaofRoute26; however,shesaidmorelarge-scalestores,suchas Giant,won’tbecomingtotownanytimesoon.
eTowncurrentlyemploysfivefull-timeemployees,withonepart-timeemployee.ereisnopolicedepartment—whichBotchiesaidhassavedthe Townaconsiderableamountofmoney.eTown, however,contractswiththeDelawareStatePolicefor 20hoursofpatrolledcoverageeachweek.
“Wedon’thavetopaysalariesorbenefits.Our peoplelikethat.eyseethemalot.ey’reinthede-
See Present page18
SurprisesarefoundineverycornerofMillville.Clockwisefromtopleft,Dickens Parloreatrehostsnationalmagicactsinanintimatesetting;atMillville’sGreat PumpkinFestival,magicianJayReaddelightsyoungKeaganCrottywithan illusion;Millville’sPetStopwasonceagasstation,nowservingclientswithfour legs,insteadoffourwheels.
alutes
To The Ocean Town o s of View
The Town of Millville
continuedfrompage5
whereabridgeremainstoday,justnorthoftheWeis grocerystore.
Inadditiontolumber,locallygrownsorghum wasmilledintofeedandmolasses,accordingtothe Town’scentennialpublication.
Withsomuchlocalaction,Millville’sfirstpost officeopenedin1886attheElishaC.Dukesstore.
Thetownwasofficiallybornin1907,whenElishaC.Dukes,ThomasR.SteeleandGeorgeH. Townsendwereappointedascommissionerstosur-
“ ”
Ifyouheardfourcars goby,youknewitwas aweekend.’
—KenWolfe
veyandrecordtheland.ThefirsttowncouncilelectionwasscheduledforMarchof1908.
ThiscitywasnearlycalledDuke stownor Dukesville,simplyforthatfamily’slargenumber andprominence.Butthemillseventuallywon,and thatappellationliveson,eveniftheirindustrydoesn’t.
Becausetheregionwasgenerallysopoor,many menhadtoseekalivingbeyondthefarms.Before the1923broiler-chickenboominOceanView, farmsweresmallandratherself-sufficient.But whiletheyliterallyputfoodonthetable,theydidn’t putmoneyinthebank.Infact,manywomentraded
Firetruckshadtobesmallenoughtofit throughshortgaragedoors.Here,Chief EngineerPressRogersgreetstwoBell TelephoneEmployeesattheoldMillville VolunteerFireCompanystation.
Photocourtesy MillvilleVolunteerFireCompany
continuedfrompage12
velopmentsalot,cruisingat differenttimes,”saidBotchie, notingthefewcrimesin townlimitsdonotwarranta policedepartment.“Ourresidentsareverycontentwith thestatepolicecoverage.”
eTownhascontinueditspartnershipwiththe statepoliceandarecurrentlybuildinganexpansionof townhallthatwillbeusedbyboththeTownandthe DSP.eexpansionwillincludeinterviewrooms,trainingspace,akitchenette,car-washingbaysandmore.Itwill attachto townhallviaatwo-storyglasslobby.
e currenttowngaragewasdemolishedtomakeroomforthenewaddition, andthenewgaragewillhaveroomforpatrolcars,aswellasMillville’scurrentandfuturepublicworksequipment.
eTownhasbeenknownforbeing financiallyconservative,whilealsoplanning forfuturegrowth.Currently,theTownputs away5percentofreceivedtransfertax(a realmoneymakerforthegrowingtown) eachquarterforeconomicdevelopment.
“at’sreallybuiltup,”saidBotchie. “Weareverygoodfinancially.We’refinanciallystableandweinvestwisely…We’ve doneeverythingwecantonotraisetaxes— we’vehadnoreasontoraisetaxes,orraise fees.We’retryingtodothesmartthing.”
“
It’schangedagooddeal. Ithinksomeofit’sbeen forthebetter. Someofit’s notforthebetter.
–BenKimmel,resident andbusinessowner
agreement,forwhichtheywillchargeafeeforimproved lotswithinthetown.Forthatfee,residentswhoneedto useanambulancewillnothavetopaypastwhatinsurance covers.
eTownalsochargesa$500impactfeeonnew construction,whichfundsagrantforthefirecompany.
“IthinktheTown’sinverygoodshape,”saidGary Willey,mayorfrom1982to2006.“Ithasvery goodleadershipinthemayorandthecouncilandthetownmanager.Ithinkthey’remaintainingthesamevisualthatwe wanted,asfaraskeepingitlow-keyandgrowingitslowly butgrowingitproperlywiththeamenities.…Ijustthink thetownofMillville’singoodshapeforthe future.”
eTownofMillvillehasalsobeena supporteroftheMillvilleVolunteerFire Company.edepartmentcurrentlyhas80 activemembersand15careerfire/EMS employees.In2016,theMVFCreceived 415firerescuecallsand2,369EMScalls, makingitoneofthebusiestfirecompaniesinSussex County.
Morelarge-scalestores,suchasGiant,won’tbecomingtotown anytimesoon,saidDebbieBotchie,MillvilleTownManager.
RecentlytheTownapprovedanambulanceservice
How does pain affect your life?
e2010censusshowed544fulltime residents;howeverBotchiesaidtheTown staffthinksthetownpresentlyhasaround 750fulltimeresidents.
“It’sasemi-ruralareaclosetothebeach. Quiet.Very,verylowcrimerate.Andwhen youwalkoutyourdoor,you’llhavefriends totheleftandright,”describedWilley,alifelongresident.
“Millvilleisagreatplacetolive,”added AlCasapulla,whohasownedAlCasapulla’s Subs,Steaks&Pizzafor30years.“Iwould sayinthreewords:‘It’sGod’scountry.’Ialwayssayit’sGod’scountrybecauseit’sso nicethere.Eventhoughit’sgrown,it’sso muchnicerthanthecities.WhenI’mup north,”hesaid,hecan’twaittogoback home.
Today,SteveManeri,SusanBrewer, ValerieFadenandPeterMichelserveonthe towncouncil,withRobertGordonas mayor.
GordonandhiswifemovedtoMillvillein1999, fromHartfordCounty,Md.
“Mywife’sparentsusedtoliveinCedarNeck,andwewould comedownforthesummersandweekends.Itwasagetaway,”herecalled.“Whenwemovedhere,therewere208peopleinMillville— thatwasit.”
Today,Millvilleismoreofa“year-roundcommunity”thanitwas in1999,saidGordon,andisstillgrowing.WithcommunitiesincludingBishop’sLandingandMillvilleBytheSea,theTownisprimedfor change.
“We’renottryingtobeintoobigofahurry,”saidGordon,noting that thecounciltakesitstimetothinkanddiscusseverydecisionit makes.“It’sjustasteadygrowth.”
GordongavealotofcredittotheTownstaffforhelpingthe Townprogressthoughtfully.
“Ithinkwe’veprobablygotoneofthebeststaffsanywhere.ey makethetown…eylovewhattheydo.”
GordonalsosaidtheTownisingreatfinancialshape,withno debtandmoneyinthebank.
“Youcan’tsaythatabouteverytown.at’sabigdeal.Tome,it’sa bigdeal.WhenIleave,Ihopeit’sthesameway.”
Although itmaylookalittledifferentfromdaysofyore,Millville isstillthequintessentialsmalltown,hostingfarmers’markets,holiday marketsanditssignatureevent,theGreatPumpkinFestival.Itsfuture isakaleidoscopeofpossibilities.
“It’swelcoming;it’squiet.Idon’tknowwhattotellyou,”saidEllen Hitchens,wholiveswithherhusband,Ralph,onRailwayRoad,just outsideoftownlimits.“Welikeit.Iwouldn’twanttoliveanywhere else.”
“ereisnoplaceI wouldratherlivethanright whereIam,”saidLois (Wood)Dolby,aprevious Millvilleresidentwhonow residesinneighboringunincorporatedClarksville.“I’ve saidthatmanytimes.”
“
Wehavetohavethetourism… Iwouldn’twantthemtogoaway, becausethey’regoodforthearea andkeepingpeoplebusy. Iwouldn’twantthem nottocome!
“
–EllenHitchens,nearby residentandformer businessowner
AtarecentLordBaltimoreSchoolreunion,she said,“Weallfeltblessedtobe thebestgenerationthatever lived.…It’schanging,butI likethepeople,Iliketheactivities.I’vebeenblessedthatI’m5milestoworknow,”shesaidofher jobinBethanyBeach.“It’sjustbeen agoodplacetoraisechildren,too, I think.”
“Istilllovetheold-townfeeling.Istilllikegoingintothestoreand seeingpeoplethatI’veknownfor40or50years.Westillhavealotof elementsinourareathathaven’tchanged,”saidBotchie.“Millvillestill hasthatcharm,andIwouldsay98percentofthepeoplewhohave movedherehaveconformedtothatcharm.” v
—StorybyMariaCounts,StaffReporter
MillvilleBytheSea’s20-yearplanshowsgreenareasslatedforfuture housing.ered,orange andyellowsectionsarebuiltorcomingsoon.
IfthetownofMillvillewasachildren’sbook,itmight verywellbe“eLittleTownatCould.”Withinits twosquaremileslivesomewherebetweenthe544 peoplecountedinthelastCensus,sevenyearsago,and whatTownManagerDebbieBotchieandherstaffestimatetobeabout750people.at’smorethandoublethe town’spopulation15yearsago.
Withthe2,600homesplannedfortheMillvilleBy theSeacommunityonRoute17,whichwasannexedinto thetown,thosenumberswillcontinuetogrow,probably foratleastthenext15yearsorso,Botchiesaid.
at,plusadditionalhomestobebuiltinseveral smallerdevelopmentsthatwillbebuiltoutinthenextfew years,mightseemlikeanoverwhelmingchange,but Botchiesaidthetownisprepared.
Shesaidthatthat,despitethegrowth,Millvillewill maintainitssmall-townatmosphere.
“Yes,we’replanningforthefuture.Isitgoingtobe OceanCity,Md.?Noooooo,”Botchiesaidemphatically.
Millvilleiscurrentlytakingtwobigstepstobetter servebothitsexistingresidentsandthosewhowillmove thereinthenextdecadeorso.A5-acretownparkwillfeaturestate-of-the-artexerciseequipment,playequipment,a communitycenterandapavilion.Soontobecompleted, anadditiononthetownhallbuildingwillhouseofficesfor
“Thebiggestchallenge wastocontrolgrowth sothatitdidn’t overwhelmusandtyto annexpropertyaround us,becauseifwedidn’t, theTownofOceanView wasgoingto.
”—GaryWilley, formermayor
Amenitiesarethewaveofthe future,asnewhousingdevelopmentslikeMillvilleBythe Seaattractpeopletoenjoythe beach,thepool,theclubhouse andmore.
PhotobyTylerValliant
staff,garagespaceandareasthatwillbeusedbyDelaware StatePolicetrooperswhopatrolthetown.
And,iftheTownshould,inthefuture,decidetoform itsownpoliceforce,theadditionalspacewouldservethat need ,Botchiesaid.
Inthenextyear,Millvillewillbegintheprocessofupdatingitscomprehensiveplan,whichistheblueprintthe townusesfordevelopment.
“ecomprehensiveplanwedid10yearsagowasreallygood,”Botchiesaid.“eywerelookingforallcommercialtogoonRoute17.Wethoughtalotofthatproperty wouldannexintoMillville,butthathasn’thappened.
SheaddedthatMillvilleBy theSeawillhaveasmall commercialareaandpredictedthat,oncethatisinplace,it will“kickstart”morecommercialdevelopmentalongRoute 17.
Aspartofthecomprehensiveplanprocess,residents andbusinessesalikewillhaveachancetoweighonthe town’sfuture.
Surveystobesenttobothgroupswillaskthemtotell townofficials“Howbigdoyouwanttobe?Whatdoyou want?”Botchiesaid.
Shesaidthat,ofcourse,withgrowthcomesthepossibilitythatthetownwillneed toprovidemoreservicesthan itcurrentlydoes.etownwilllookintothoseareasas
needed,shesaid.
Rightnow,Botchiesaid,Millville’spoliceprotection fromthestatepoliceissufficient.
“We’veincreasedourstatepolicecoveragefrom12to 20hours,andthat’sworkingjustfineforus.”
Shesaid“outsourcing”forservicessuchaspolice seemstobeagoodmodelforMillville,nowandforthe foreseeablefuture.
Asanexample,shepointedtoroads—which,despite someresidentswhofeelthetownshouldmaintainthem, Millvilleofficialsseenoneed.Oncea towntakesonmaintenanceofroads,shesaid,“It’snever-ending,sowhydo that?”
AlthoughtheTownhasnotreceivedanyrecentrequeststoannexanymorelandintoitsboundaries,Botchie said,thereisthepossibilitythatitcouldcomeinthefuture.
“Tothenorth,westandsouth,wecanannexandexpand,”shesaid.
Transfertaxesfromrealestatetransactionsarethe town’schiefsourceoffunding,andalthoughthatmight dryupeventually,fornow,thetownisinfinefinancial shape.
“Today,ifthisTowndidn’tcollect apennyforseven andaquarteryears,we’dhaveenoughmoney,”shesaid. “We’vedoneeverythingwecantonotraisetaxes,”she added.
osewholiveandworkinMillvilleseemhappy withthewaytheTownisconductingitsbusiness,judging bythelackofattendanceatbudgethearings,Botchiesaid.
But,asinmanyformerlyquiet,ruralareas,thereisa tensioninMillvillebetweenthechangesthatgrowth bringsandthedesiretostayquaintandquiet.
SomewhohavelivedinMillvilleallormostoftheir lives,suchasGraceDukesWolfe,saidthatalthough“I don’tknowhowlongitwilltake,”shefearsthatMillville willonedayloseitsidentity.“IthinkitwillbepartofOcean City,Md.”
Wolfe’sfamilyhasbeenintheareaforgenerations.In fact,herancestorsdonatedlandfortheMasonicLodge nexttoherhomeonRoute26.
GaryWilley,athird-generationmayorofthetown whonowlivesjustoutsidetownlimits,saidhebelieves Millvillewillcontinuetogrowasmorepeopleseekanaffordableareanearthebeaches.
“Ijustthinkthere’llbecontinuedgrowth,”Willeysaid. “Ithinkthat’sbasicallyit,butit’llbeintheoutlyingareasof Millville.NotmuchcanhappenintownonRoute26,”he said.“ere’snotmuchlandlefttodoanythingwithon Route26,”hesaid,addingthatdevelopmentonthemajor roadwouldmostlikelyhavetobefrompropertywhere housescurrentlysitbecomingcommercialproperty.
Asaformermayor,Willeyconnectswiththeissues thatheseesdowntheroadforthetowncouncil.
“Whetherornottogoaheadwithapoliceforceis goingtobealargechallengeforthem,”hesaid.“Whenyou dogrowandannexthesurroundingproperties,you’reallowingmorepeopletocomeinthearea,andsomeofthem bringwiththemcrime,soIthinksmartgrowthandkeepingeverythinglow-keyisgoingtobeachallenge.”
LongtimearearesidentLoisDolby,whohaslived in andworked asaRealtorintheMillvilleareaformany years,saidthemajorinfluxofresidentscurrentlyisretirees, whichshesaidisfine,butshewouldliketoseemorediversityinages.
“Ifeelyouhavetohaveretirees,butyoualsohaveto haveyoungpeopleinordertokeepthingsgoing.”
RichardHudson,wholivesandworksinneighboring Clarksville—whichisunincorporatedandhasmanyof thesamechallengesasitsincorporatedneighbor,Millville —saidheisconcernedthatinfrastructureneedstokeep pacewithdevelopment.
“Ithinktheydoneedtocontrolthedevelopment,becausetheydon’thavetheinfrastructureinplace.”Sewer servicewasonlyrecentlyextendedtoRoute17.
“Beingacountryboy,”Hudsonsaid,“itupsetsyouto seeprogress.Progresshappens.”
Hudson,whohasownedHudson’sGeneralStorein ClarksvillewithhiswifeMelodyfor25years,said,“Iwould liketoseetheinfrastructurestayupwiththeprogressso
Future
continuedfrompage24
wedon’tpolluteandruinwhatwe’vegothere.”
WhileMillvilledependsonthestatepoliceforlawenforcementcoverage,theMillvilleVolunteerFireCompanyhasservedthetownsince1922andcontinuesto serveitasitgrowsandchanges.FireChiefDougScottdeclaredthat,lookingahead,thefirecompany’schallenge, verysimply,is“tokeepupwiththecallsforservice.”
atincreasingdemandledtheMVFCtoceasepro-
Localfarmlandnowproduces ahigh-yieldcrop:housing developments,suchasWhite’s CreekManor,Bishop’s LandingandMillvilleBye Sea,picturedbelow.
PhotobyTylerValliant
vidingambulanceservicetotheBethanyBeachfire district in2009,andtheBethanyBeachVolunteerFireCompany nowoperatesitsownambulanceservice,whiledemandfor fireandambulanceservicecontinuestoriseintheMillville district.
Scottsaidthecompanymighthavetolookatthepossibilityofpaidfirefightersinthefuture.
“Ifwecan’tmaintainourmanpowerthroughvolunteerism,wehaveto,asafiredepartment,seriouslylookat howtomaintaintheservicesthecommunityneeds.
“Really,”Scottsaid,“theonly wayweknowtodothat istojustkeepputtingonstaff.Butstaffispayroll.Andpayrollismoney.Moneygeneratesallkindsofissuesabout who’sgoingtopayforit,”whetheritbestate,localorcounty funding.
MVFCVicePresidentNormanAmendtsaidthe company’srecently-institutedannualambulancesubscriptionfeesforresidentsandbusinessesinMillvilleand OceanView(whichmirrorthefeestheBethanycompany chargestopropertyownersinthecoastalmunicipalities) willhelpthefirecompanyaddressitsfinancialneeds.He estimatedthatthecompanypaysmorethan$1millionto keepfour,andsometimesfive,ambulancestaffmembersat thestationaroundtheclock.
Scottsaidthecompanyalsoneedsfundsformainte-
nanceofitstwobuildings—themainstationinMillville andthesubstationoutsideoftown—althoughtheolder mainstationpresentsthemostmaintenanceissues.
BotchiesaidtheTownalsocollectsimpactfeeson newconstruction,whichhelpstodefraysomeofthefire company’scosts.
BotchiesaidpeopleshetalkstowhomovetoMillville areshocked—inagoodway—bythelowcostofliving there.Whensomeonecallsthetownhalllookingforinformationonthearea,“efirst thingyoucansaytothemis thatitisanaffordableareatolivein.Ninetimesoutof10, peoplethatarecallingusarecomingfromcities…that haveamuchhighercostoflivingthanwehave.Whenyou say,‘Whenyou’rehere,thisiswhatyou’llbespendingon taxes,’they’llsay,‘Isthatmonthly?’shesaid.“I’llsay, ‘Noooooo.’”
Millville,inspiteofitsproximitytothebeachresorts, isoneofthefewtownsintheareawhereagriculturalland stillexistsandisstillactivelyfarmed,Botchienoted.
“Westillhaveopenspace;westillhaveagriculture,”she said.Askedwhethershethinksthatwillstillbetrueasdevelopmentpressuresgrow,Botchiereplied“God,Ihope so.”v
ByKerinMagill StaffReporter
“Iamnotafanofthis messofgrowth.Ihave metsomegreatpeople whohavemovedhere, someofthenicest peopleIhaveevermet. ButI’mnotforallthis expansionhere.
”—WandaPowell
ismailboxstillstandsonDukesDrive,althoughthepropertywill becomethetownpark.SussexCountyintroducedfive-digithouse numberstoimprove911emergencyresponse. PhotobyTylerValliant
eggsandotherfarmgoodsforgrocerystorestaples aroundtown,intothemid-20thcentury.
Menturnedtothesea,becomingshiphands, captains,commercialfishermenorofficersatIndian RiverLife-SavingStation.
Becausetheroadswerebadandtherailroad wasexpensive,Millvillebusinesspeoplealsolooked tothesea.WhiteCreekconnectedtotheIndian RiverBay,whichreachedfartherinland,oroutto theAtlanticOcean.
Sotheshippingindustryawoke,withanemphasisonschoonersthatcouldnavigatethenarrow, shallowwaterways.Therewasevenashipyardatthe headofBlackwaterCreeknearClarksville,where schoonerswerebuilt,witharepairfacilitynear
Willey’sStoresoldgroceries,gasoline,kerosene andmuchmore.Many storeswouldalsodeliver groceriestothecustomers’ homes.Willey’swaslocatedontoday’sfirecompanyproperty.
Shop’tilyou…
Millville’stiny“businessdistrict”surrounded theMillvilleVolunteerFireCompanyfirehall,on theeastwithBobWilley’sstoreandonthewest withtheQuillenhouse/postofficeandC.Z. Townsend’sstore(later,EmmonPhillips’store),accordingtoErnestMarvel,90,andGrace(Sheaffer) Collins,88.
CharlieDerrickson’sstorewasacrossthestreet, wheretodayLaTonaltecastands,offeringgroceries, sandwichesandcoffee.
Shopke epers’childrenwereoftenhiredtodelivergroceries.GaryWilley,68,remembersonefamilythatplacedpreorderswithhisfather’sshop beforetheydrovetoDelaware.Thekidscouldusea
Past page30
Paintingcourtesy WandaPowell
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sparekeytoshelveallthegroceriesbeforethefamily evenarrived.
Backthen,grocerystoreswerethesocialscene onFridayorSaturdaynights.Adultsranerrands butalsostoppedtoshootthebreeze,catchthenews andmaybeplayaroundofcheckers.
Increasingly,peoplereliedonthechainstores forlowerprices,includingSelbyville’sAcmeor Millsboro’sA&P.ThentheHockerfamilyintroducedJake’sgrocerystoreonCedarNeck.
Jake’snephew,now-state-Sen.GeraldHocker Sr.,purchasedthatstorein1971tocreateG&E Hocker’s,buyinguphiscousin’sadjacenthardware businessin1973.
In1980,hepurchasedaClarksvilleconveniencestoreonthecornerofRoutes26and17.It startedasasmallergrocerystore,whereWalgreen’s isnow.DespitetheFoodLion(nowWeis)and GiantchaingrocerystoresthatarrivedinMillville aroundthenewmillennium,Hocker’sSupercenter
expandedto50,000squarefeet.
Hisfatheranduncle,RichardWoodand WilbertHocke r,partneredtogethertoopenMil-
Paintingcourtesy WandaPowell
lvilleHardwareinthe1940s.
Meanwhile,carswerepurchasedaroundthe area,inMillsboroorGeorgetown,orBerlin,Md.
Today’sMillvillePetStopstartedoutasCase Tractors,ownedbyLesterKauffman.ThenFloyd Megee’sStudebakerdealershipopenedbrieflythere in1948beforehemovedthebusinesstoGeorgetown,whereit’sstillrunbythesamefamily.
ThatcornerstorelaterbecameRaymond Banks’fillingstation,wherefolkscouldalsograba sandwich.
ThelowbrickrestaurantofPerucci’swasonce agasstation,fromabout1939to1975,operatedby anumberofmenbeforebecomingaphotostudio, thenagiftshop.
Fordoctorsandhospitals,peoplehadoptions acrossthearea,butforthemid-20thcentury,Dr. KendallHocke rdominatedthesceneafterhis brother,Ulysses,movedtoLewes.Hishomeand drugstoreweredowntown,whereSteamersistoday, sellingicecreamandpatentmedicines.Although hisofficewasintheback,hevisitedalotofpatients, includingnewborns.
Butdoctorsweren’ttheonlygameintown.Bill Cobb’smotherservedasamidwife.
“Shewouldleaveforaweek—sometimesalit-
tlelonger—andgostaywithsomebody.Pop,he donemostofthecookinganyway.Shewashardly everhome,”hersonsaid.
Mrs.Cobbhelpedfamiliesafterthedelivery.
“Idon’tthinksheborned,Ithinkshestayedand tookcareofthemafterthedoctorbornthem.She tookcareofthemforthefirstweek.”
Homeremediescuredmanyills,orcaused manyquestions.LifelongresidentWandaPowell, 89,recalledcastoroilasanightmarishtreatmentfor stomachaches;vinegarwashestomakedarkhair shiny;lemonjuiceforblondes;andlyinginthe chicke nhousetopreventscarringduringchickenpox.
WhenPowellsufferedfromlice,hermother boughtapotentrinsefromHocker’sdrugstore.
“Hadanybodylitamatch,I’msureIwould havegoneupinflame,”sherecalled.Afterthree treatments,shewaspronouncedcured.
Butremediesweren’talwayssoeasy.Oneof
Cobb’syoungsistersdiedofscarletfever.
“IwentdowntoMillville,andanursepicked meupandbroughtmebackhomeandsaid,‘You’re
JoanneYoung
quarantinedin.You’renotsupposedtobeonthe street,’”Cobbsaid.“Whenwewentback,therewasa papergluedonthedoor.Wewerequarantined.We weren’tsupposedtobeout.Theythoughtitwas catching,Iguess.”
Hisfutureparents-in-law,HaroldandMay Palmatary,tookoverHocker’sdrugstorein1945to openPalmatary’sicecreamandsodashop,which alsosoldsomepatentmedicines.Theyhadjust movedfromPennsylvaniabecausesomerelatives livedlocally,saiddaughterShirley(Palmatary) Cobb.
TheylatersoldittoaMr.Lynch,whotaught young“Bud”Palmatarytoplaychecke rs.
Winterbottom’swasthefinaliterationofthat shop,whereTomWinterbottomsoldnewspapers, patentdrugs,flowers,Halloweencostumes,school suppliesandothergeneralgoods.
WhileWilley’sstorehadaGermanbutcher, somepeopleenjoyedtheluxuryofmeatcomingto theirkitchendoor.
“LeeMegeefromMillvillewouldtaketheback seatoutofhiscar,…butcheracowandsellmeat, goingfromdoor-to-door.Gettingthismeatwasa treatforus,”MaryCollinsrecalledin“140Yearsof Rainbows”(publishedin1998byMarinersBethel UnitedMethodistChurch).
Familiesateanimalsfoundlocally,including chicke n,fish,rabbit,squirrel,shellfish,wildduck andgoose.Ontheotherhand,WandaPowellwrote, “beefwasaluxurythatweseldomhad—even thoughmyfatherhadagrocerystore.”
“Whengrandmother[killed]herchickens,” Powellrecalled,“shewouldslingthechicke naround andaroundbytheneckuntilthepoorthing couldn’tstandup,thenquicklayitsheadonthe choppingblock,grabheraxeandchophisheadoff.” Thefeathersweremadeintopillows.
Gardeningwasanecessity,too.
“Myhusband’sfamily,theyraisedchickensand theyalwayshadabiggardenbecause,atthattime, foodwasnoteasytoget,”saidLois(Wood)Dolby, whowillturn76in2017.“Sotheywouldallraise foodtocanandfreeze,andthat’swhatyoulivedon allwinter.”
TheOceanViewcanningworkshophelped folkswiththeprocess.
continuedfrompage35 Fragmentsofglassand concretewereunearthed duringtheconstructionat MillvilleBytheSea. Photoby LauraWalter
Workonthefarmandsea
Millvillewasalwaysanagriculturalarea,but poultrygotbiginthe1920sandcontinuedboomingthroughWorldWarII.Chickensandbirdfeed soldlikeregularproduceneverhad.
“Thewarbroughtprosperityforthefarmers,” thelateRuleyF.BanksJr.recalledintheMillville UnitedMethodistChurchcentennialpublication. “ThepoultrybusinessexpandedastheArmed Forcesdemandincreased.Thefarmersdidnothave enoughlabor,however,sothegovernmentbrought inmanyGermanprisoners-of-warandworke rs fromtheislandstohelp.”
“IlikenittotheGoldRush,”saidBillLord.“I understandduringthewaryears,theygotasmuch
runningaroundtocontrolpests.
“Ifyouhadchickenhouses,theserats…
[would]comeupbetweenthecracksintheboards, chewaholeinthefeedbag,andtheywerefatasbutter,”said
Grace(Dukes)Wolfe,90.Butthenherfamilygota ratterrier.
“Inabouttwodays,shehadover100deadrats she’dkilled,”althoughWolfe’smotherwasn’tpleased whenthedog“threwalitterofpuppiesonthelivingroomdavenportin February.”Wolfehadtocleanthesofa beforegoingtoschoolthatday.
EllenandRalphHitchensalso rememberaninfluxofratswhenthe OldMillRoaddumpclosedinthe mid-1970s.Justoutsidetownlimits, theywerealsoclosetothecattleand pigfarmsthatcouldraiseastenchin therightweather.
“Whenyouwouldhavethat windblow,andyouhadthatrain,you couldsmellthechicke nhouses,”said Collins.Sheandhersisterwereboth bookkeepersatdifferentpoultry companies.
Sheandherhusband,John,eventuallyleftSussexCountyforgood
(thoughhesitantly)forhisjobsailingoutof Philadelphia,buttheykeptthebelovedfamily houseonCedarDrive.
AmosMcCabe“gotinonthegroundfloorand notonlyraisedchickensbuthebuiltthisbuilding [Lord’sLandscapingnow]tosupplyfeedandcoal fortheotherfarmers,”saidhisgrandson-in-law,Bill Lord.“Thefeedmillhadamixer.Farmerswould come,becausetherewasnoPerdueorMountaire. Eachindividualguywouldcomeherewithhisown recipe—howcouldhegethischickensasbigandas f astashecould.”
Thefeedbusinessendedin1970andbecame Lord’sLandscapingin1978.
Inthelater1900s,southernDelawarehadtwo majorindustrialemployers,DelmarvaPower& LightandtheDuPontCompany’snylonplantin Seaford.
LindaandGaryWilleyweremarriedin1973, thankstothelocalnewspaper.Lindahadcometo
Itwasmoreofa small-townfeel. Everythingwasdone onahandshake. Youcouldtrustpeople. Andthatwasthething Icouldn’tbelieve [werecashboxes sittingunattendedat vegetablestands]. Ithought,‘Damn,ifthis wasWilmington,they’d bestealingthewhole producestand.
—AlCasapulla
Delawareforateachinggig,better-payingthanin herhomeinNorthCarolina.
“Duringthosedays,DelmarvaNewswasour localpaper,andeveryyearinSeptember,theyputa pictureoftheteachersthatweregonnacome,”Gary said.“I lookedthroughthepaperandsawherpicture,”andhegotamutualfriendtosetupadate.
Otherpeoplewereblacksmiths,hairdressers, truckdriversandcarpenters.
Firedup
Likemanygreatthings,theMillvilleVolunteer FireCompanystartedinanicecreamshop.On April14,1936,residentsmetatDr.KendallJ. Hocker’sdrugstoretoorganizealocalfireservice. Officerswereappointedthatnight,andtheysoon decidedtobuyanAmericanLaFrancepumperwith a250-gallonwatertank.
Thatwasafarcrybetterthanthetown’spreviousfireprotection:asingle40-poundchemicaltank, whichcost$60in1922andhadtobewheeledto eachfire.Itwasn’tspeedy(HarryDuke sSr.and
ErnestMarvelmade extracashin1942by plowinghisneighbors VictoryGardens.Hesits betweenForence[sic] Steele,andJohnLong.
Photocourtesy
Past
continuedfrompage38
FrankHollowayownedashopthatburned downcompletelyin1930,whenalitcigarwas tossedbehindthestore).Thetankwasstoredin theshedbyH.H.DukesSr.’sstore,untiltheshed itselfwas,ironically,destroyedinafire.
Thatchemicalwagonandlaterthe LaFrancewerestoredinDr.Hocker’sbarnuntil about1939,whentheMVFCofficiallyincorporatedandpurchasedalotfromAmosMcCabe tobuildafirehouse.
Thefirstbuilding(1939)wasnearthecurrent station,builtin1985.Thefirecompany’sClarksville annex(Station2)wascompletedin2010.
TheMVFC’sambulanceservicebeganin1961 withthepurchaseofausedCadillacambulance fromGeorgetown.Untilthen,theFrankfordfire companyhadprovidedalllocalambulanceservice.
In2002,theMVFCstationedanotherambulanceatthebeach,servingtheBethanyBeachfire district,buteventuallyitcouldnolongerhandlethe
volumeofambulancecallsitwasreceiving,andthe MVFCaskedtheBethanyBeachVolunteerFire Companytotakeovertheambulanceservicein theirdistrictin2009,accordingtothestationhistorybyWilliamJ.Quillen,HaroldLloyd,Robert DerricksonandBobPowell.
Inacommunitysurroundedbywater,the MVFCcouldn’thelpbuttostartadiveteam,which
Originallysurroundedby farmsin1969,Ralph andEllenHitchensnow passmanymoredevelopmentsthantheydidwhen photographedherewith theirdogin1971.ey hadtiestothelocal seafoodindustry,too,as Ralphcaughteelslocally forhisbrother’sPhiladelphia-basedseafoodbusiness.
theydidinthe1970s.Bythetimeanewstationwas dedicatedin1985,theMVFChadgrowntomore thanadozenapparatusesand80members.
Theiroriginalfirealarmwastwominutesof ringingchurchbells.Soon,asirenwasmountedat Dr.Hocke r’s.Later,peoplewouldsimplycallWilley’sstoretoreportafire,andanemployeewould runandtriggerthesiren.Subsequently,thefirefightersgotPlectronboxes—likeagiantpagerthatsat onashelfandbeepedforfireormedicalemergencies.Thetechnologyhasimprovedvastlysincethen.
“Ifwehad30[calls]inayear,thatwasapretty goodyear.Nowwehavethatinamonth,”Roger Hitchenssaid.
Originally,chimneyfiresorbrushfireswere common,aspeopleburnedtrashoutdoorsorfired uptheirdustywoodstovesforwinter.
Firefightersrodeonthebackoffiretrucks,with abeltloopedaroundtheirwaisttoke epthemattachedtothetruck.
“Inthesummertime,itwasgoodbecauseyou didn’thavesnow,”BobPowellsaid.“Ifitwasraining, insomecaseswehadacoveroverthehosebed.We
Photocourtesy Hitchensfamily
wouldtakethat…andliterallyshieldourselvesfrom therainorfromthesnow.Andtheywerecoldrides attimes.”
“Weusedtorunandjumponthebackofthe truck,justtocatchit,”RogerHitchenssaid.Seatbeltsarerequirednow.
Atthefirefighters’sidesince1938werethe membersoftheMVFCAuxiliary,whostillleadthe communityinsupportingandfundingMillville’s emergencyrescueservice.
“OurFiremenareveryspecialbutlet’snotforgetthecaringcommunity,becausetheyhavealways beenbehindtheFiremenandAuxiliary—itisa teamproject.Iamsurewhenitwasorganizedso longago,fewifany,couldevendreamofthegrowth asweseeitnow.Newfirehouse,mostmodern equipment,welltrainedpersonnel.Younameit,we haveit.Wemusthavelaidaprettyfirmfoundation tohaveitgrowlike this,”wroteAuxiliaryPresidents GraceSheafferandGailQuillen.
”—EllenHitchens
Manyvolunteersjoinedbecausetheirparents had.FireChiefDougScottfollowedhisfriendsinto thejuniorfireservice.Butthe10or12cadetshadto arriveearlyenoughtocompeteforthefoursetsof gear,Scottrecalledwithalaugh.Juniormembers don’tfightfiresbutcanobserveorhelpmanage equipment.
Findingthefirewaslessdifficult,sincetraffic waslighterthantoday.Inasmalltown,everyone knewwhereeveryoneelselived,sotheydidn’tneed addresses.Peoplejustcalledandsaid,“Fireat‘John Smith’s’house,”andfirefightersknewwheretogo.
WhenhemovedtotheareafromNewJersey 40yearsago,NormanAmendtavoideddriving, sincehedidn’tautomaticallyknowwhereevery Bunting,BennettorBrasurelived.Itresultedin plentyofteasingathisexpense,herecalledwitha laugh.
Eventually,newdevelopmentsstartedfillingthe landscape,andfirefighterscouldn’tke epupwiththe newwebofroads.SodeveloperLouTravalini loanedthefirecompanymapsfortheMVFCto copytocreatetheirownmaps.(“Youcan’tkeepup
continuedfrompage42
now,onpaper,”Scottsaid.“YouhavetohaveGPS.”)
Funinthesunandsnow
Goingtothebeachwasthebestpartofsummer.Drivingonthebeach—automobilesdidn’t havefour-wheeldrive,butthatdidn’tstopanybody.
“Youjusthadslicktires,andyoulet’emdown toabout8pounds,andawayyouwent,”saidEllen Hitchens.“Andifyougotstuck,everybodysaton thetailgateuntilyougotunstuck.”
“WemetthereeverySaturdayafternoon,” Collinssaid.“Atthattime,therewasanicewide beachtotheocean.Itwasfun.Wedidn’thavesurfboards.Wewouldgooutfarenough,uptoour
Above,Manaenand PearlRobinson'shomesteadwhenitwasaworkingfarm,nowMillville TownCenter.
Paintingcourtesy WandaPowell
Right,KenWolfewas amazedtofindapostcard withhisDukesfamilyancestralhomebyafieldof cannaliliesformarket.
Photocourtesy theWolfefamily
waists,waitforawaveandrideitallthewaytothe beach.
“TherewashardlyanythinginMillville,”she addedofthepossibilitiesforentertainment.
So,“Youmadeyourownfun,”Dolbysaid.“You couldgooutandplay,rideyourbicycles,gooutall daylong.…Ilearnedatanearlyage,youdidn’ttell yourmomyouwerebored.Oh,Ihadtopolishthe pipesunderthebathroomsink.Ididthatabout threetimesbeforeIlearned.”
Theymadepaperdollsanddressesfromthe Sears&Roebuckcatalog.Theycapturedfrogsto make friedfroglegs.Theyjoinedscoutgroups, pickedberriesorrollerskateddownthelong, smoothcement-laidRoute26(alltheotherroads weredirt).
“Itwasasmall-townatmosphere…youknew nottogetintotroublebecauseyourmomknew aboutitbeforeyougothome,”saidRichardHudson,wholivesinClarksville,nearhisHudson’sGeneralStore.
Anyonewhoseparentsowneda shopmightbeluckyenoughtoget snacksthereafterschoolandinsummers.
Theluckykidsownedahorseor pony.WilleyandhiscousinHarry Dukestooktheirhorsesondaytrips.
WolfegotaponyfromtheannualponyswiminChincoteague,Va.
“Mr.McCabefromSelbyville boughtitforhisson,whowasabout 16,andtheponywaswild,”said Wolfe,soherfatherboughtthecreature.Afterlonghoursonthefarm, theponywasworkeddownenough that“Icouldridethatponyanywhere insummertime.”Shetiedtheponytoguidelinesthat ke pttelephonepolesinplace.Buthistruenature emergedwhentheyrodetothebeach.“Hewanted togetbackinthesandandroll!”
Willey’sfatherownedaboat,sotheyfishedand waterskiedoutoftheRoger’sHavenneighborhood alongWhiteCreek.
PeoplealsosawmoviesinSelbyville,Dagsboro
Ceramic Tile
“ ” Therewasn’tany subdivisions.Itwas allfarmland.
—GaryWilley
orRehobothBeach.Teenagerswentcruisingas soonassomeonegotacarandlicense.Gaswas cheap(exceptduringgasolinerationsofWorldWar II,whichputeveryonebackonbicyclesorhorses).
Huntingwasabigdeal,asfamiliesatelocal. Mostboys—andWandaPowell—wereproudto owntheirfirstguns,althoughPowell’sattemptsat
huntingwereacomedyoferrors. Wintersweremuchcolderin themid-1900s,aspeopleremember theriversandcreeksfreezingup muchmorefrequentlythantheydo now.Andiceskatingwasthename ofthegame.Everyonehadfavorite spots,suchasWhiteCreek,Eagle PondorStrawberryLanding.The besttimeswerefrostynightson shallowponds,withmittensand hockeysticks,surroundedbytrees
For almost 40 years, Lord’s Landscaping has been putting the “ nishing touches” on some of the nest homes in our area.
Lord’s Landscaping & Garden Center was established by Bill and Donna Lord in 1978. The property was originally owned by Donna’s grandfather, Amos McCabe, who had a feed and supply business in the building that is now our garden center. Bill started out small, designing and maintaining properties in our beach area. As our town has grown so has his family and his business.
to assist you in any of your gardening questions or concerns. Offering:
• 12-Month Maintenance Programs
• Winter and Summer Trimming
• Irrigation
• Bed Edging
• Pine Needles and Mulch
• Planttone, Dormant Oil and Lime
• Pramitol and Herbicide Spraying
• Handweeding
• Pre-Emergents
• Lawn Fertilization Programs
Lord’s Landscaping now has 18 greenhouses and has expanded to 10 acres where they grow native trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals. They carry locally grown shrubs, perennials and annuals. Our staff will be happy
• Annual Plantings
Lord’s Landscping is a family business with local roots, taking pride in helping the area stay beautiful.
The Mission of the Chamber
The Chamber’s mission is to develop and implement destination events, participate in advocacy efforts, and provide opportunities for networking, marketing and education with a goal of improving member success and enhancing the quality of life throughout the Quiet Resorts.
The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce represents businesses which serve the towns of Bethany Beach, Clarksville, Dagsboro, Fenwick Island, Frankford, Millville, Ocean View, Roxana, Selbyville, and South Bethany.
Whether a resident or guest of the Quiet Resorts, the Chamber is your All-In-One Resource. Visit us at www.thequietresorts.com.
Masons
aconstantinMillville’shistory
ere’slittlequestionthatthetownofMillvillehas seenspectacularanddramaticgrowthovertheyears. Changesindemographics,ashinynewtownhall,andthe pavingandsubsequentwideningofRoute26areallvery strikingremindersofthosechanges.
Butthatstrikingwhitebuildingonthesouthsideof Route26remainslargelythesame—theonewiththe symbolonthefrontthatissuretocatchtheeye,andthe treasureofmysteriesbehinditsdoorsisequallyascertain tocapturetheimaginationoftheuninitiated.
atwhitehouseisthehomeofDoricLodgeNo.30, AncientFree&AcceptedMasons.
In1897alocalgroupofmenpetitionedtoforma Masoniclodge,andafterobtaininganicepieceoflandviaa donationfromtheBettsandDukesfamilies,thatwhite housewasconstructedandopenedin1903,accordingto DoricmemberAndrewLyonsJr.,aformerMasterofthe lodgewhogrewupinMillville(and,intheinterestsoffull disclosure,isthesonof ourpublisher).EdwardF.Reynolds
“ ”
Backthen,nobody reallysaidtheywere inthelodge... Idon’tknowhowthey evergotpeoplein.
—BillCobb
wastheMasterofthelodgethatyear,andDoricLodge No.30hasbeenrollingaheadeversince.
So,howdoesasecretsocietymaintainitssecrecyfor solong?
“Wearen’tasecretsociety,”saidLyonswithalaugh. “Ourbuildingsareprettyobvious.Wehavesomesecrets, butwehavestickersonourcarsandtrucks,andwearrings, andweproudlytalkaboutbeingmembers.”
So,then,what’sthedeal?
“Weareabouttakinggoodmenandmakingthem better,”saidLyons.
atisoneofthebasictenetsoftheMasons—they areselectiveastowhotheyletjointheorganization.As Lyonsexplained,nobodyisaskedtojointheMasons— onemustfindamemberandasktobeconsideredfor membership.eymuststudyandworkhardtojoin,and one“no”votefromanymembercanendtheirhopes.Once in,theyarerequiredtoconductthemselvesinanexemplary
See Masons page50
Ararelookatthediasof theMason’slodge.
Photo byDarinMcCann
Masons
continuedfrompage50
mannerinordertoremainactive.
“Toabidebytherulesandregulationsthattheyhave, goingintoit,youknow—that’swhatyouhavetodo,”said GaryWilley,whoservedontheMillvilleTownCouncilfor 23.5years,andwasamulti-generationmayorofthetown.
“Youlookatthingsalotdifferently.Youlookatpeople alotdifferently.Younoticepeoplearehavingahardship— [I]payalotmoreattentiontoitthanIdidbeforeIwasa Mason.Youcareforpeoplealotmore.”
BillCobbhas spentabitoftimewithDoricLodge No.30.Tobeprecise,hehasspent55yearswiththeorganization(“Soontobe56,”hesaid.),andheisLyons’grandfather.
“Iwasraisedabouttwoblocksfromthelodgeand walkedbyitallthetime,”saidCobb.“Ididn’tknowwhatit wasreallyallabout,butsomeofmyfriendsweremembers, soIwantedtoseewhatitwasallabout.…Mydadwasin it,andIhadnoidea.
“Backthen,nobodyreallysaidtheywereinthelodge,” Cobbcontinued.“Idon’tknowhowtheyevergotpeople in.”
CobbmentionedthattherewasaJuniorOrderof UnitedAmericanMechanics(JOUAM)lodgeinMillville untilthe1950s.ItwaslocatedbehindtheMillvilleUnited MethodistChurch,andtheywouldhostsingersandother performers,andalotofthoseyoungermemberswould jointheMasonswhentheygotoldenough.
AsmallsectionofaphotowallcomprisesformerMasonicleaders. PhotobyDarinMcCann
Abrotherhood
AtthecenteroftheMasonsisthe“brotherhood.”
LyonssaidtheMasonsaretheoldestfraternityin theworld,andtheiroralhistorygoesbacktoKing Solomon(970-931B.C.),withadefinitivewritten historydatingbacktotheearly1700sinEngland. Hesaidlodgesbegangrowinginimportancein theU.S.inthemiddle-1700s,and threeconsistentpillarsofmost communitiesbackthenwerethe church,schoolandlodge.
HeaddedthattheMasonsare notareligiousorganization,bynature,butmembersmustbelievein “asupremebeing,”andpassages fromtheBibleareanimportant partoftheMasonicfiber.But Cobbaddedthatreligionis notsomethingdebatedinthe lodge.
“Whenyouwalkin,everybody’sfriendly,andit’sunderstoodthatthereisnopoliticsorreligion,”saidCobb. “I’vebeeninfor55yearsandneverhearditonce.”
Itisabouteachmembermakingethicalchoicesinhis life,bothprofessionallyandpersonally,aswellasparticipatinginthecommunityasindividuals.Andwhileeach pleinhislodge,eachmemberalsofeelsanallegiancetoeachmemberinevery
Lyonssaidpeoplefromaroundthecountry willstopbyDoricLodgeNo.30totakeina meetingandthathehasstoppedbyother lodgeshimselfwhentraveling.
“It’sthatfellowshipand brotherhoodyouhavewithinthe lodge,”saidWilley,whenaskedabout hisfavoritepartofbeingaMason.
“Whenyoumeetanother Mason,youmeetabrother,”said Lyons,addingthatwhenDoric goestoNorthCarolinafor theannualMasonsbarbecue competition,“ereception wegetdownthereisunreal. Wearebrothers.” v
ByDarinJ.McCann ExecutiveEditor
Photo byDarinMcCann
andwarmedbyimpromptufires.
“WealwayshadpuzzlesandMonopolytoplay inthewinter,andinthesummer,wewouldplay hopscotchandcroquet,”WandaPowellsaid.“We walkedeverywhere,orrodeourbikes,anditwas greatfun.IjusthavewonderfulmemoriesofgrowingupinMillville.Wehadsuchawonderfultime.”
Truetoyourschool
Everylittleenclaveintheareaonceseemedto haveitsownpostofficeandschool,butthetiny schoolhouseshavebeenconsolidatingformorethan acentury.The1868BeersAtlasappearstoshow MillvilleschoolhouseNo.123severallotswestof itsnextiteration,DistrictNo.181,whichopenedin 1868onthepresent-daysiteofMillvilleU.M. Church,onAtlanticAvenueandClubHouseRoad.
Thatschoollasteduntilaround1905,when SchoolDistrictNo.181builtandfurnishedanew two-roomschoolhouseonasideroad,andtheold schoolbuildingwasremovedtomake wayfor MUMC.
Schoolpridereallyhelpedtobuildasenseof community,asitphysicallyconnectedpeopleinnew ways.Forabout40years,studentsattendedall12 gradestogetheratLordBaltimoreSchool.
Theoriginalschoolwasalong,whitebuilding constructedin1920—oneofDelaware’smanynew schoolhousesbuiltonPierreS.duPont’sgenerosity. ResidentsofMillvilleandOceanViewhadhesitantlyvotedtoconsolidatetheirlittleschools.Butas 10othersmall,scatteredschoolhouseseventually joined,theGeneralAssemblyappropriatedmoney tobuildthebrickschoolstillseeninOceanView today,accordingto“140Years.”
NowcalledLordBaltimoreElementary School,theiconicbrickbuildingwasconstructedin 1930inOceanView,forhighschoolers.
Grades1through6movedintothebigbrick buildingafteranadditionin1952.Theirmascot wasaneagle,withschoolcolorsofgreenandwhite.
Originally,theschoolbuildingphysicallysaton themunicipalboundarybetweenthetwotowns,
andMillvilleonlyrecentlyrelinquisheditssliceof school.
Buttoday’sAtlanticAvenue(Route26)didn’t existinfrontoftheschooloriginally.
“WhentheDuPontSchoolwasbuiltin1920,a roadwascutpastthenewschooltoconnectthetwo towns,”accordingto“140Years.”Millville’sroadto thebeachwasn’tthesamesmoothlinepeopledrive today.TheroadfromMillvilletoBethanyturned downCedarDriveandCentralAvenuebeforecontinuingstraighteast.
Inthe1960s,residentsonceagainvotedtoconsolidateschools,thattimetocreatethenewIndian RiverSchoolDistrict.Thetransitionbeganin 1968,sendingLordBaltimoreandSelbyvillehighschoolerstoFrankford,andmiddle-schoolersto Selbyville.
Separate,but…separate
Around1938,abig machinecamedown Route26andlaid aconcreteroad.Iwent downtothechurchand watcheditgotowards OceanView,laying concreteasitwent. Thatwasanamazing sightforaboyonly 7or8yearsofage.
”—RuleyF.BanksJr.,
MUMC100th Anniversary
MostresidentsoftheareawereCaucasian,and theMillvilleareahadaverysmallAfrican-American population.
Infact,BaltimoreHundredhadthesmallest populationofblackresidentsinSussexCounty (a bout17percentin1820).Thatsuggeststhat mostfarmsweresmallenoughtobemanagedbythe immediatefamily,notslaves,accordingtoCarolE. Hoffecker’s2000book“HonestJohnWilliams:U.S. SenatorfromDelaware.”
Inlateryears,theAfrican-AmericancommunitysettledinClarksville,centeredaroundthe #207-CBlackwaterSchoolandhistoricUnion WesleyMethodistChurch.Theoldschoolhouse stoodfromthelate-1800suntilitwasreplacedin 1922byanotherstructurethatclosedaftera1951 fire,accordingtotheDelawareStateArchives.
Before1950,blackstudentscouldonlyattend tuition-basedhighschoolsfarthernorth.Startingin 1950,allblackhigh-schoolersintheareaattended theWilliamC.JasonComprehensiveHighSchool, about25milesawayinGeorgetown.Jasonwas phasedoutin1967asminoritieswerereturnedto theirlocalschools,viaforcedintegration.
Blackadultsoftenworkedonfarmsorinshops. Butnotallmemoriesarerosy.ErnestMarvel,whois white,recalledalocalblackmanwhodefiedthe posted“rule”of“Non******intownaftersundown.” Hewasbeatup,badly.
Childrenweremoreinterestedinhavingplaymates.“Weallplayedtogether,didn’tmakenodifferencetous,”Marvelsaid.
PraiseonSundays(andotherdays)
Churchwasthecenterofthecommunitylife, oftenwithmultipleservicesonSunday.Peopleattendeddifferentchurchprogramsallweeklong, mixingitupwithneighbors.
”—AlCasapulla
ThepresentMillvilleUnitedMethodist Churchopenedin1907underadifferentiteration ofMethodism.Theysharedchargesandpartnershipswithothernearbychurchesovertheyears,but “In1987,MillvilleChurchwasatacrossroads,”accordingtotheir100thanniversarypublication. MUMConlyremainedopenatthevoteofthetiny remainingcongregation—aboutadozenmembers. Butthey’vegrownbacktoacomfortablenumber today.
AtinybluechurchstillstandsonRoute26, nowmorethanacenturyold.Today,it’stheReflectionsAntiqueslightingstore.Butitwashometothe MillvilleProtestantChurchfromtheirdedicationin 1898until1910.Later,thecivicorganization Gl eanersClubpurchasedthelandforcommunity andMethodistevents,committeemeetingsand fundraisers,includingthepopularchicken-anddumplingdinneraroundelectiontime,Dolbysaid.
Afterthat,RealtorJohn.R.Hoke appearsto havepurchasedtheGleanersHallonalark,in1970 for$5,000.
BeaconBaptistChurchistheonlyotherchurch withintownlimits,whichcameinmorerecent years.
Morethan200yearsago,in1816,beforethe firstSt.George’sUnitedMethodistChurchwas builtinClarksville,nearitscurrentlocation,worshipersbeganmeetingintheirhomes.Themodern siteofthechurch,atRoute26andOmarRoad,was dedicatedin1880,withthechurchrebuiltin1928 andrenovatedin1937,accordingto“140Years.”
Newtownparkplanned Newtownparkplanned ascommunity’sgatheringplace
GroundhasyettobebrokenonMillville’snewtown park,butanticipationishighforthestate-of-the-artrecreationspot.Townofficialsandresidentsalikearehopingthe parkwillbeacentralpointforfun,festivalsandfellowship foryearstocome.
e5-acreparkandplayground,tobelocatedon DukesDrive,hasthepotentialtobeanimportantgatheringspot—notonlyforMillvilleresidents,butfortheentire area.Itwillincludeaplaygroundwithlargeplaystructures forchildrenofallages,aswellasrecreationcoursesfor olderchildrenandadults,bocceballandpickleballcourts,a pavilionandacommunitycenter.
edesignforthe$2.5millionproject,whichhas beenapprovedbythetowncouncil,callsforalargeship thatincorporatesplayandclimbingareas,aswellasalighthousethatwillwraparoundaslide,accordingtoTown ManagerDebbieBotchie.
Althoughtheshipdoesn’thaveanameyet,perhapsit couldbecalledthe “EthelDukes,”whichwouldharken backtothetown’sshipbuildingpast,aswellasthefamily
thatlived andworkedonthelandtheparkwillsiton.(e originalcraftcalledtheEthelDukes,accordingtoresearch byGordonWood,wasa41-foot-longshallow-draftsloop builtjustnorthofMillville,anexampleofacommontype ofboatthatfrequentlysailedfromareadocks,including DaiseyLandingandPennewell’sLandinginnearbyOcean View.)
Alongsidetheplaygroundthat givesanodtothe town’shistorywillbeanewfangled ChallengeCourse, whichincorporateselectronicelementsinanobstacleand fitnesscourse.roughtheelectronicelements,participantswillbeabletotimethemselvesandkeeptrackof theirtimesincomparisontothoseachievedbyfriendsand family,aswellasparticipantsallovertheworldwhoare usingsimilarcourses.
A40-yard-dashtracknearbywillhavethecapability torecordeachrunner’stimesaswell.e townhopesthe coursewillbeaboontofamilieslookingforactivitiesthat willappealtoolderchildrenwhoaretoooldfortheplaygroundbutwouldenjoythechallengeandtheelectronic
The5-acreparkandplayground,tobelocatedon DukesDrive,hasthepotentialtobeanimportant gatheringspot—notonlyforMillvilleresidents, butfortheentirearea.
aspectsofthenewcourse.
“Weseealotoftheschoolsusingthisfortrainingfor theirkidsaswell,”Botchiesaid.
ewalkingtrailwillbeathirdofamilelongandwill runaroundthebackofthepark.Discussionsattown councilmeetingshaveincludedhowtomakeitaccessible toeveryone,fromparentswithstrollerstoinline-skaters. etrailwillalsoincludestationswithmoreexercise equipment.
eparkwillbeaplaceforrelaxationaswell,with plansforapavilionwherebandswillplayandspacefor movienights,Botchiesaid.etown’spopularfarmers’ marketwillreturnandwillbelocatedinthepark.
“ewholecenteroftheparkisopenspace,”shesaid —perfectforfestivals,picnicsandthelike.
Plansalsoincludeabrick“plaza”wheretheTown wouldliketohostfoodtrucksfromwhichresidentscan enjoyacasualmealonasummerevening.
See Park page58
Leftandabove,theserenderingsshowthefuturetownpark. Submittedimages
Serving Millville for Over 30 Years
Anewcommunitycenter—somethingresidentsof Millvilleandsurroundingtownshaveclamoredforfor years—willbecomearealityaspartoftheparkproject.It willbe4,000squarefeetandwillincludealargeopen room,asmallermeetingroom,anoffice,akitchenand ADA-compliantbathrooms.
elargerroomwillincludecabinetsthatvarious groupscouldusetostoresupplies.Botchiesaidshewould lovetoseetheroomusedforactivitiessuchasartclasses; otherusescouldincludeScoutmeetingsandhomeowners’ associationmeetings.
BrianLewis,arepresentativeofGameTime—the companythatisprovidingtheparkequipment—saidat anOctober2016towncouncilmeetingthatthefirstphase oftheparkprojectcouldbecompletedinsixtonine months.efirstphasewouldincludesitepreparation,the parkinglot,utilityconstruction,playgrounds,swings,fitnesstrail,40-yard-dashtrackandChallengeCourse.at phaseisprojectedtocostabout$1.5million.
Phase2oftheparkproject includesamaintenance building,thecommunitycenter,partofthetrail,thebrick plazaforconcessionsandutilityconnections.atpartof
theprojectisexpectedtocostabout$670,000.
ethirdandfinalphaseoftheparkwillincludefitness stations,pickleballcourtsandthepavilion,atacostof $250,000.
eTownpurchasedthelandfortheparkinSeptember2015for$800,000.
Botchiesaidthegoalistohavethefirstphaseofthe parkcompletedintimeforthetown’sPumpkinFestival—a fallcelebrationthathadincreasedinpopularityinrecent yearsbuthadtobecanceledin2016duetoabadrainstorm.
“Ourresidentsreallylikethatkindofstuff,”Botchie said,addingthatsheenvisionsthetown’sHolidayFestival, previouslyheldinthetownhall,willmovetothenewcommunitycenteronceitiscompleted.“We’regoingtohavea tree-lighting!”shesaid.Otherpotentialeventscouldinclude aMayDaycelebration,shesaid.
Botchiesaidshehopesthattheparkprovidesthetown withacentralgatheringplace—somethingithaslacked untilnow.
“We’renotOceanCity.We’renotBerlin,”shesaid, addingthatshefeelsthetownparknonethelesshasthepotentialtobecomeauniquespotandafavoriteplaceforpeopletogatherforyearstocome. v
By KerinMagill StaffReporter
UnionWesleyUnitedMethodistChurch servedtheAfrican-Americanpopulationwestof towninClarksville.Itoriginatedin1873,wasdestroyedbyfirein1957andwasrebuiltin1961on theadjacentproperty,theformersiteoftheBlackwaterSchool.
ListedontheNationalRegisterofHistoric Places,Unionhasalsoboastedoneofthelastremainingsummercampservicesgoingintothe21st century—two-weekservices,wherepeopleonce sleptincoveredwagonsarrangedinacirclearound thepulpit,andnowinsmallsemi-permanent“tents,” aconfectioneryandbower.
Althoughitsfar-flungcongregationdisbanded in1921,theBlackwaterPresbyterianChurchbegan withmeetingsin1763andaphysicalchurchbuiltin 1767.ListedontheNationalRegister,theOmarareapropertyismanagedbyaTunnellfamilytrust.
Movingforward
SleepysouthcoastalDelawaresawitsfirstpush towarddevelopmentafterthelegendaryStormof ’62.TheMarchnor’eastercrasheduponthecoast andlingeredforthedurationoffivehightides, floodingthelow-lyingfarmsandcrushingthe beachfront.
Airplanesprovidedthemoststrikingviewof thewidespreaddamage,andhatcheryworke rRalph Hitchensgottocatcharidewithhisboss.
“‘Anybodywannatakeanairplaneridetosee thestorm?It’llcostusfivebucks,’”Hitchensrecalled oftheopportunitybeingoffered.
TheyflewsouthoutofRehobothBeach,ona 45-minutetourofcollapsedhousesandboardwalk floatingintheocean.
Manybuildingsweresweptdowntheroador outtosea.Thedestructionwashorrible.Butthat ruinedbeachwouldrebuildintoanewmodern-day resort.Thatrelativelyfreshslateencouragedpeople tostartbuildingagainwithinsurancepoliciesand strongermaterials.Deeppilingswouldanchornew houseswheredelicatecottagesoncestood.
Inthe1960s,beachfrontlotscouldbehadfor
WeknowMillville.
Connor Jacobsen Realty is a locally owned family business serving family beaches. We specialize in
homes and vacation rentals in Bethany Beach, North Bethany, Ocean View, Millville, Middlesex Beach, South Bethany, Fenwick Island and Ocean City. Located in downtown Bethany for over 50 years, we are experts in the local area.
ArrowheadswerefoundinMillvilleByeSeaduringpreliminarydigs,onceagainprovingwhatyoungchildrenlavelong knownbydiggingintheirbackyards:AmericanIndiansdefinitelyvisitedorsettledthisarea.
PhotobyLauraWalter
continuedfrompage61
$11,000,amind-bogglinglylownumberbytoday’s resortstandards.
Sincethen,thebeachhasbecomethemostimportantfactorforattractingpeopletoMillville.But asmorepeoplecome,willingtopayforasliceof heaven,moresettleinland,withmanyretiringthere inthenewcommunitiesandamongtheold.
Themostimportantrulefornewcomersis “Don’tspreadgossip,becauseeveryone’srelated,” Wolfesaid.Butlocalswillbewelcoming,aslongas newresidentsdon’ttrytochangethem.
“TheywereveryfriendlytomewhenImoved downhere,beinganewcomer,”saidEllenHitchens, aShowell,Md.,girlwhomarriedalocalin1959.
“They’regood,hardworkingpeople,”Collins saidofMillvillefolk.“Theywerethebest.” v
—StorybyLauraWalter
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