Gov. John Carney and DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin joined WWII Veterans Ernie Marvel and Herb Faulls, U.S. Army Commander Maj. Gen. Robert Edmonson II, DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Director Ray Bivens, Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation Members and other state and local officials cutting the ribbon for public access to the rehabilitated World War II-era Tower 3 at Delaware Seashore State Park. Left to right in photo: Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation President Chairman Larry Brown, Sussex County Councilman Mark Schaeffer, Delaware House of Representatives Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, Maj. Gen. Edmonson, State Senator Russell Huxtable, World War II Veteran Ernest Marvel, State Sen. Gerald Hocker, Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, WWII Veteran Herbert Faulls, Gov. Carney, Sussex County Council President Michael Vincent, DNREC Secretary Garvin, State Rep. Ronald Gray, Dover Air Force Base Col. Jason Holcomb, and DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Director Ray Bivens. /DNREC photo

New Access to Top of Rehabilitated Coast Defense Tower Offers Panoramic Views of Atlantic Ocean, Inland Bays

Gov. John Carney joined Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn M. Garvin Wednesday to cut the ribbon on the newly-rehabilitated World War II Fire Control Tower 3 in Delaware Seashore State Park (DSSP). Visitors to Towers Beach along Route 1 in the park can now walk up the nearly 100 spiral steps to the top of Tower 3, which was built to help protect the Delaware coastline during the Second World War.

Tower 3 is one of 15 fire control towers built as part of Fort Miles, now part of Cape Henlopen State Park, during World War II. Eleven towers were constructed in Delaware while another four were across the Delaware Bay in New Jersey. While Fort Miles never had to engage enemy warships during World War II, the soldiers stationed at this tower practiced regularly to be thoroughly prepared.

“These World War II era towers are iconic landmarks of Delaware’s coastline,” said Gov. John Carney. “I’m glad that Tower 3 has been preserved so future generations can learn about Delaware’s history while enjoying our beautiful state parks. I want to thank DNREC, the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation, Delmarva Veterans Builders, and members of the General Assembly for making this landmark accessible to the public.”

The project highlights the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation’s strong partnerships with volunteer groups like the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation (DSPF) and the Fort Miles Historical Association, local legislators and various area stakeholders, all of whom came together to bring this project to fruition.

The endeavor to open the tower to the public began more than 15 years ago when the DSPF the non-profit organization that supports Delaware Seashore State Park, launched its “Save the Tower” fundraising efforts. Donations started to take off just before being delayed by The Great Recession, and the project was delayed. The DSPF continued to raise funds to bring Tower 3 back to life and by 2019, enough money had been raised to commence construction.

“Many people have been waiting for the day they can walk to the top of Tower 3. We are honored and proud to preserve this piece of Delaware’s World War II history and excited for visitors to learn about and enjoy it,” said. DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “A trip to the tower makes a great excuse to get outside on Earth Day and enjoy views of the ocean, beach, dunes and inland bays. The wetlands visible to the south are some of the most productive ecosystems on the planet, right here in Delaware.”

The rehabilitation project cost approximately $1.7 million, of which $500,000 was raised by the DSPF from multiple sources, and with $300,000 contributed via Community Transportation Funds from all Sussex County Legislators who served during the 151st Delaware General Assembly.

Construction was led by Delmarva Veterans Builders and included installation of modern features along with restoration of the tower’s ships ladders; installation of an entry ramp and sidewalk; a metal spiral staircase to the top; lighting; a fire alarm system; replacement of windows on the bottom level; a handrail and netting system at the top of the tower for safety; and interpretive elements that will enable the public to understand the important role fire control towers played in World War II. A separate project to pave the Towers Beach parking lot and replace its bathhouse ramp was also recently completed.

Following today’s ribbon cutting, guests enjoyed an ice cream social as they waited their turn to go to the top of Tower 3. Honored guests included WWII Veterans and Delawareans Ernie Marvel and Herb Faulls; the family of the late Dr. Gary Wray, Fort Miles Historical Association co-founder; U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Robert L. Edmonson II, and William C. Grayson, author of the book “Delaware’s Ghost Towers: The Coast Artillery’s Forgotten Last Stand During the Darkest Days of World War II.”

The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation manages more historic structures than any other entity in the state. The rehabilitation of Tower 3, a long time in the making, was a unique project to tackle, and will serve as a tourist destination for years to come. Tower 3 also is the second fire control tower the division has opened to the public in Delaware State Parks, following Tower 7, known as The Observatory, and located within Cape Henlopen State Park near Fort Miles.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov or Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov.

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Delaware’s Coastal Defenses, tells the stories of two of Delaware’s longest-standing coastal forts: Fort Saulsbury, built during the Second World War and used as a prisoner-of-war camp, and Fort Miles, a location that has played a role in our state’s defense since the Revolutionary War, and the men who served and defended our shores.
– by C. W. Warrington

You can view and/or download a PDF version of this book here.

Find out more about the Delaware Heritage Commission here.

LEWES – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, Cape Henlopen State Park, and the Fort Miles Museum and Historic Area, are hosting the annual “Delaware Goes to War” event at Fort Miles beginning at 10 a.m., Saturday April 27. The public is invited to explore Fort Miles to see what it was like to live in the 1940s, during the war, and to experience a part of the U.S. military coast defense that the fort provided.

Visitors can learn about what soldiers underwent in Delaware during this global conflict through exhibits, artifacts, and special presentations for the “Delaware Goes to War’ event. There will be live 1940s-era music by the WW Tunes, plotting room demonstrations, vintage military vehicles, a U-858 surrender reenactment, and more.

Between 5 – 6:15 p.m., the Rehoboth Concert Band will hold a free concert for visitors with paid park entrance fee. Bring a beach chair to listen to 1940s-era music, while overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Admission to the Fort Miles Museum is $5 per person. For more information, contact the Fort Miles Orientation Building at 302-644-5007. For a detailed event schedule, please follow Fort Miles Museum and Historic Area on Facebook.

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No.100

LEWES – DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation, in partnership with the Fort Miles Historical Association (FMHA), will begin construction on a new outdoor event and programming venue at the Fort Miles Museum and historical area beginning Sept. 4.
The overlook at the top of the park’s bike trail will be closed during the two-month construction period. However, the main bike trail, the cantonment area, Tower 3, and the artillery park will remain open. The timing of the construction was determined by the Division of Parks & Recreation to have the least impact on visitors’ experiences, events and programming.

The construction is the result of fundraising by FMHA, which includes foundation grants totaling more than $600,000 from the Longwood Foundation and the Crystal Trust. The venue work will be followed by a new entrance and parking lot for the Fort Miles Museum, along with accessibility upgrades. That work will begin in the fall.

The work is a continuation of a series of projects spearheaded by FMHA, totaling more than $1 million in public and private investment over the last eight years, to enhance the experience of visitors to historic Fort Miles.

For more information, contact the Division of Parks & Recreation’s Operations Section at 302-739-9200.

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 238

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, in partnership with the Fort Miles Historical Association, will host an open house for the public review and comment on proposed capital improvements to the Fort Miles Museum and Historic Area in Cape Henlopen State Park. The open house will feature informative exhibit boards on the proposed updated master plan for Cape Henlopen’s Fort Miles facilities and surrounding areas, and opportunities for the public to get information from DNREC staff and provide written feedback.

The open house will be held 5 -7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 16, at the Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes, DE, 19958.

Proposed capital improvements include upgraded and expanded parking areas for the museum complex, as well as an outdoor venue area at the north end of Battery 519.

Funding for the project comes entirely from foundation grants and private contributions raised by the Fort Miles Historical Association.

Media Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902