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Clara Russell: First Female Mayor of Slaughter Beach

Compiled by Joanne Plescia

Portrait of Clara Wilcutts Russell
Clara Wilcutts Russell (1918-2015)

Clara Wilcutts Russell (1918-2015) was the daughter of the late Ernest and Bessie (Morris) Wilcutts. She graduated as valedictorian of her class at Caesar Rodney High School in Dover, Delaware. Clara devoted 31 years of service to the Delaware Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, where she worked as a secretary. During her tenure, she served as president of both the Employees 25-Year Club and the Employees 10-Year Club before retiring in 1971.

Following her retirement, Clara continued a life of dedicated public service in Slaughter Beach, where she and her husband maintained a summer cottage. She was elected to the Town Council, served from July 1971 to July 1974, as secretary, and was elected mayor in July 1974. She served as mayor until July 1981. Clara Russell was the first female mayor of Slaughter Beach. In her role she and Wally and Diane McFaul created the first Slaughter Beach flag in 1976. The newspaper article called them “king crabs” but we know them as horseshoe crabs. Her commitment to community life extended beyond municipal leadership. She was a charter member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Memorial Fire Company in Slaughter Beach. She was deeply involved in civic and charitable organizations throughout the Milford area, including serving as past president of the Milford New Century Club, past director of the Delaware Federation of Women’s Clubs, past president of the Milford Senior Center Board, and past treasurer of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Milford Memorial Hospital.

Newspaper clipping headed King Crab Reigns: Mayor Clara Russell unfolds the first Slaughter Beach flag, a horseshoe crab on a gold diamond on an avocado green field, founded 1691, 1976
Mayor Clara Russell unfolds the first town flag, 1976. The Milford Chronicle, "King Crab Reigns"

Clara also supported the Milford Historical Society, Friends of the Milford Museum, AARP at local and national levels, and the Officers’ Wives Club of Dover Air Force Base. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Milford, serving as Trustee, Deacon, and leader in the Women’s Association.

The Memorial Park

Perhaps Clara Russell’s most visible legacy is her work to create a town park. In 1975, as mayor, she secured grant funding to build tennis and basketball courts, although the town lacked land.

Two spring riders, a yellow and a white horse, on the lawn of the Slaughter Beach Memorial Park with the tennis court fence behind
Playground equipment at the Memorial Park
Swing set and a bench under a large tree at the Slaughter Beach Memorial Park, with the marsh beyond
The swings and the bench under the park's big tree

The Draper family donated land to the Fire Company, which leased it to the town, enabling development. The Shockley family later donated playground equipment, with additional pieces added over time.

In 2022, the park was revitalized using $130,000 in federal ARPA funds and a $60,000 ORPT grant. Improvements included new resurfacing and upgrades.

Community volunteers helped complete the project. Clara Russell’s vision has endured for more than 50 years, continuing to benefit residents and visitors of Slaughter Beach.

References:

Calendar Contest

Photos must be submitted between May 1st and Sept 1st. Winners will be announced in October. Please review contest rules below, before submitting photos.

Entries must be from residents of Slaughter Beach, homeowners or their visiting friends/family members.

  • All photos must be in digital, high-resolution format and taken in the town of Slaughter Beach.
  • Previously winning photos are not permitted.
  • Photos can be in color or black & white.
  • SBHS reserves the right to crop, revise, or publish photos.
  • Entries can be of architecture, nature, or animals. If people are included it is preferred they are non-identifiable; otherwise a general photo-release waiver must be signed and kept on file.
  • There is a limit of 3 photo submissions per person for consideration. Each entrant is limited to the possibility of one winning photo per calendar year.
  • Three anonymous judges will choose the winning entries.
  • Submissions will remain anonymous to the judges. Judges’ decisions are final.
  • SBHS retains only non-exclusive rights to the pictures submitted to SBHS for the purpose of entry into the calendar contest. Winning photos will include the photographer’s name.