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Tower 3 a beacon in state park’s economic contributions
February 16, 2018
Tower 3, located south of Dewey Beach in Delaware Seashore State Park, took on a cobalt-drenched tone during a lighting ceremony on Monday, Feb. 12.
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Tower 3 lights the way to a top destination
February 16, 2018
Delaware Seashore visitors spent $3.5 million, leading all state parks
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In an effort to recognize veterans of World War II and all veterans who continue to honorably serve our nation, the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation (DSPF), in partnership with the Fort Miles Historical Association, has undertaken a capital campaign to restore Fire Control Tower #3, one of the structures that was used during the war as a first line of defense in the event of foreign invasion.
Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation Newsletter
November 3, 2017
In an effort to recognize veterans of World War II and all veterans who continue to honorably serve our nation, the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation (DSPF), in partnership with the Fort Miles Historical Association, has undertaken a capital campaign to restore Fire Control Tower #3, one of the structures that was used during the war as a first line of defense in the event of foreign invasion.
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This spring, we finished rehabbing our mess hall. Our next project is Barrack T603, next to the mess hall. We removed all doors and windows, restored the original window openings and are refitting this building.
Fort Miles Historical Association Quarterly Newsletter, November 2017
November 3, 2017
This spring, we finished rehabbing our mess hall. Our next project is Barrack T603, next to the mess hall. We removed all doors and windows, restored the original window openings and are refitting this building.
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Just south of Dewey Beach, Tower 3 is getting revamped. The tower will be completely sealed off from the elements, get a new staircase, a new Plexiglas door and some entertainment areas around it.
Tower Three Gets a Makeover
October 31, 2017
Just south of Dewey Beach, Tower 3 is getting revamped. The tower will be completely sealed off from the elements, get a new staircase, a new Plexiglas door and some entertainment areas around it.
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More than a decade in the planning, restoration work began July 24 on the World War II fire control tower at Delaware Seashore State Park’s Towers Beach. “This is exciting,” said Bob Frederick, former Dewey Beach mayor and member of the Fort Miles Historical Association, as a backhoe dumped dirt into the back of a dump truck. “It gives you goose bumps.”
Restoration work begins on WWII tower
August 7, 2017
More than a decade in the planning, restoration work began July 24 on the World War II fire control tower at Delaware Seashore State Park’s Towers Beach. “This is exciting,” said Bob Frederick, former Dewey Beach mayor and member of the Fort Miles Historical Association, as a backhoe dumped dirt into the back of a dump truck. “It gives you goose bumps.”
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The 3rd Annual Coastal Delaware Running Festival was a full-out success. The Focus Multisport event hosted more than 3500 runners, thousands of fans and dozens of volunteers.
Peninsula Oil Donates to Autism Delaware
August 7, 2017
The 3rd Annual Coastal Delaware Running Festival was a full-out success. The Focus Multisport event hosted more than 3500 runners, thousands of fans and dozens of volunteers. Ocean View Scout Troop 281 gathers with Friends of Holts Landing State Park for their annual Spring Campout and Community Service days at Holts Landing State Park
March 20, 2017
34 scouts plus leaders from Ocean View Scout Troop 281 gathered on March 18th along with a group of Friends of Holts Landing State Park for their annual Spring Campout and Community Service days. The scouts took on a effort to remove a two foot high silt fence which ran 600 feet sometimes burried up to within 2 inches of the height. The silt fence, consisting of stakes every 10 feet and black plastic silt fabric, is the remainder of an access road that was used through the park for access to the Ellis Point Development Project back in 2002. The silt fence was restricting wild life passage through the park.Contact Scout Master, John Doud , or Trail Boss, Laf Erickson at 302-381-3695, for further information.
WWII Tower Could Be Beach Attraction
November 25, 2016
By Molly MurrayPhoto Credit: Chuck Snyder/Special to the News Journal - When Ernie Felici looks at the rebar-enforced concrete towers that dot Coastal Highway between Dewey Beach and Fenwick Island, he sees an opportunity.
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Two Groups Pledge to "Save The Tower"
November 14, 2016
By Madeleine OverturfDEWEY BEACH, Del. - A silent reminder of World War Two, eleven concrete towers line Delaware's coast. The towers were put in place so soldiers inside could watch for Nazi boats offshore. But according to Dr. Gary Wray with the Ft. Miles Historical Association, most people don't know that.
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Family Fun Nights at Holts Landing State Park
August 31, 2016
We had our largest turnout in our two years - 150+ on 7/19/16! Event will included our featured band of the summer - Charlie Papparella, Charles Lynch (steel guiltar), and John Perdu. Food (hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and sodas) by Boy Scout Troop #281 of Ocean View. We will also have seined with hands on fish identification for kids; yard games for adults (horse shoes, corn hole and ladder golf); stargazing by a naturalist and a bonfire with a marshmallow roast. Thanks to all the Friends of Holts who participated and did a magnificent job this summer!
Preserved Army towers along Delaware Coast tell story of World War II
August 29, 2016
By Paul GesslerPhoto Credit: Fox 45 News
LEWES, Del. (WBFF TV Fox 45 Baltimore) -- A pair of nonprofits is teaming up to preserve towers along the Delaware coast that were designed to protect against enemy invasions during World War II.
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Laf Erickson, Friends of Holts Landing, Wins the 2016 DNREC Volunteer of the Year Award
August 8, 2016
The Friends of Holts Landing State Park's Laf Erickson won the 2016 DNREC Volunteer of the Year Award (for Conservation) and was presented his award by Governor Jack Markell at the Delaware State Fair on July 28th.
His work as "trail boss," clearing and widening trails, helping to establish new trail signage , and installing benches has greatly improved the Sea Hawk Trail at Holts Landing State Park. Lāf also put in a lot of time and physical effort clearing brush from the new “kayak beach” at Holts so visitors can get a glimpse of the Indian River bay as they drive into the park.
Laf Erickson won of two DNREC Volunteer of the Year Conservation awards. "At Holts Landing State Park Laf serves as the Trail Events Coordinator;works with Park staff and volunteers to plan and execute trail projects; he ensures all needed tools and supplies are on hand and leads monthly Trail Days; he also works with scout troops on coordinating their projects as well as other nonprofits.”
Pictured (L to R): Ray Bivens - Director of Delaware State Parks, Laf Erickson - Volunteer Award Winner, Governor Jack Markell, DNREC Secretary David Small
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Update on the Fire Control Tower #3 Restoration Project
August 8, 2016
The Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation is a non-profit
friends’ organization created to preserve, protect, and enhance the
Indian River Life Saving Station, and the Parks within the Delaware
Seashore State Park Region including the Indian River Marina,
Delaware Seashore, Fenwick Island, and Holt Landing State Parks.
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Groups Look to Save WWII Towers
August 1, 2016
Along the Delaware coast stands a series of watchtowers that helped protect the United States during World War II. They were used to look for enemy ships and, if any had been spotted, the crews within the towers would have alerted the Army at Fort Miles to defend the shore.
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Friends Serve Lunch for Over 100 Volunteers
February 21, 2011
The folks from the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation served up the hamburgers
and hot-dogs with all the fixings on both days to over 100 volunteers. Groups who
worked on the project are Department of Corrections, Latreia and Wartburg College,
National Civilian Community Corps, University of Delaware sent volunteers from the
Marine Science Center, AmeriCorps State Parks Partnership, and some sixteen park staff
members gave of their time on Saturday and Sunday.
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DSPF Embarks on Project to Restore World War II Observation Towers
February 21, 2011
The DSPF is embarking on a
project to restore the World War II
observation towers within the
Delaware Seashore State Park
beginning with Tower #3 just south
of Dewey Beach along Route One.
A number of towers were built
along the Delaware coastline during
World War II. The towers were used as artillery spotting locations. Our
military was posted in each of the
towers in order to spot enemy ships
sailing off our coast.
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DSPF Open House A Success!
February 21, 2011
The Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation hosted its Annual Membership Meeting & Open House on October 31, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at the Indian River Life Saving Station Museum. Presentations from the Delaware Seashore State Parks’ Staff and DELDOT’s new Indian River Bridge team highlighted the event, in
addition to the free tours of the
museum. An array of treats &
beverages donated by the Gift
Shop staff at the Indian River Life
Saving Station Museum, G&E
Hockers & the Donut Connection
were available for all guests to
enjoy.
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Tower Restoration
February 17, 2011
It all began, Gary Wray says,
with members of a couple coastal
Sussex County organizations
tossing around ideas about how to
promote understanding of World
War II.
Folks in the Fort Miles
Historical Association, of which
he is president, and their
counterparts in the Delaware
Seashore Preservation Foundation
talked of creating a memorial to
that conflict’s veterans.
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Perhaps the most intriguing landmarks on the southern
Delaware coast are the World War II observation towers.
The cylindrical concrete towers were erected by the Army
during World War II to watch for Nazi ships and submarines.
Eleven towers dot the coast, stretching from
Fenwick Island northward to Cape Henlopen.
Currently, only one tower is open to the public. Located at Cape Henlopen, the tower offers spectacular views of the coast. Through a partnership between the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation and The Fort Miles Historical Association, efforts are currently underway to restore Tower #3, located within the Delaware Seashore State Park on Route 1, just south of Dewey Beach. Once Tower #3 is restored it will be open to public and interpretive tours will be given.
What Are Those Towers Along The Coast?
February 17, 2011
Perhaps the most intriguing landmarks on the southern
Delaware coast are the World War II observation towers.
The cylindrical concrete towers were erected by the Army
during World War II to watch for Nazi ships and submarines.
Eleven towers dot the coast, stretching from
Fenwick Island northward to Cape Henlopen.Currently, only one tower is open to the public. Located at Cape Henlopen, the tower offers spectacular views of the coast. Through a partnership between the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation and The Fort Miles Historical Association, efforts are currently underway to restore Tower #3, located within the Delaware Seashore State Park on Route 1, just south of Dewey Beach. Once Tower #3 is restored it will be open to public and interpretive tours will be given.
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Groups Plan To Refurbish WWII Gunnery Tower
February 17, 2011
Two resort-area preservation
groups have joined forces to raise
money for restoration of one of
two World War II fire control towers
just south of Dewey Beach,
which they want to open to the
public.
The view from 64 feet above sea level should be spectacular because from the top, people can see 14 1/2 miles east over the Atlantic Ocean, said Gary Wray, president of the Fort Miles Historical Association, one of the groups involved in the project. To the west is Rehoboth Bay. Wray's group has joined the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation to raise money and begin tower restoration.
The view from 64 feet above sea level should be spectacular because from the top, people can see 14 1/2 miles east over the Atlantic Ocean, said Gary Wray, president of the Fort Miles Historical Association, one of the groups involved in the project. To the west is Rehoboth Bay. Wray's group has joined the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation to raise money and begin tower restoration.
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For more than 65 years 11 silent
sentinels have guarded the coast.
Most people are not aware of
the unique history surrounding the
fire-control towers assigned to
Fort Miles; many are under the
mistaken impression they were
gun emplacements.
Two volunteer organizations are
joining forces to open a tower in
Dewey Beach in an effort to educate
the public about the critical
role they played during World War
II.
The tower will be restored to its World War II condition and be open for tours. In addition, it will serve as a location for a World War II memorial to store a database listing World War II veterans as part of an interactive display. The only tower now open to the public is the 75-foot tower in Cape Henlopen State Park.
Groups Combine To Save A Silent Sentinel
February 17, 2011
For more than 65 years 11 silent
sentinels have guarded the coast.
Most people are not aware of
the unique history surrounding the
fire-control towers assigned to
Fort Miles; many are under the
mistaken impression they were
gun emplacements.
Two volunteer organizations are
joining forces to open a tower in
Dewey Beach in an effort to educate
the public about the critical
role they played during World War
II.The tower will be restored to its World War II condition and be open for tours. In addition, it will serve as a location for a World War II memorial to store a database listing World War II veterans as part of an interactive display. The only tower now open to the public is the 75-foot tower in Cape Henlopen State Park.
View PDF
For more than 65 years 11 silent
sentinels have guarded the coast.
Most people are not aware of
the unique history surrounding the
fire-control towers assigned to
Fort Miles; many are under the
mistaken impression they were
gun emplacements.
Two volunteer organizations are
joining forces to open a tower in
Dewey Beach in an effort to educate
the public about the critical
role they played during World War
II.
The tower will be restored to its World War II condition and be open for tours. In addition, it will serve as a location for a World War II memorial to store a database listing World War II veterans as part of an interactive display. The only tower now open to the public is the 75-foot tower in Cape Henlopen State Park.
Groups Combine To Save Tower
February 17, 2011
For more than 65 years 11 silent
sentinels have guarded the coast.
Most people are not aware of
the unique history surrounding the
fire-control towers assigned to
Fort Miles; many are under the
mistaken impression they were
gun emplacements.
Two volunteer organizations are
joining forces to open a tower in
Dewey Beach in an effort to educate
the public about the critical
role they played during World War
II.The tower will be restored to its World War II condition and be open for tours. In addition, it will serve as a location for a World War II memorial to store a database listing World War II veterans as part of an interactive display. The only tower now open to the public is the 75-foot tower in Cape Henlopen State Park.
View PDF
Soon, visitors to the Delaware shore and
locals who travel Route 1 will no longer
have to wonder from afar about the famous
towers that stand along the coastline — at
least, not if the Delaware Seashore
Preservation Foundation (DSPF) and Fort
Miles Historical Association (FMHA) have
their way.
The two groups announced on Wednesday their plans to restore Fire Control Tower No. 3, the southernmost tower of two located just south of Dewey Beach, in Delaware Seashore State Park. Their project, with a fundraising goal of $500,000, aims to restore Tower No. 3 to its World War II condition, open it to the general public and create a related database listing World War II veterans and donors to the project. "It's a milestone for this organization," said Ernie Felici, chairman of the DSPF.
Tower Restoration Plans Unveiled
February 17, 2011
Soon, visitors to the Delaware shore and
locals who travel Route 1 will no longer
have to wonder from afar about the famous
towers that stand along the coastline — at
least, not if the Delaware Seashore
Preservation Foundation (DSPF) and Fort
Miles Historical Association (FMHA) have
their way.The two groups announced on Wednesday their plans to restore Fire Control Tower No. 3, the southernmost tower of two located just south of Dewey Beach, in Delaware Seashore State Park. Their project, with a fundraising goal of $500,000, aims to restore Tower No. 3 to its World War II condition, open it to the general public and create a related database listing World War II veterans and donors to the project. "It's a milestone for this organization," said Ernie Felici, chairman of the DSPF.