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The Donors: Those That Donated to the Development and Improvement of the Town of Slaughter Beach

Compiled by Linda Bennett White

We have been exceptionally fortunate that the residents of the Town of Slaughter Beach have always pitched in to contribute to the development of the town and infrastructure. This began long before the Town was officially formed. There are some donations listed below, but these are by no means all of the donations received.

In February 1931, the community voted to transition into a municipal government. From 1931 to 1934, the Slaughter Beach Corporation systematically transferred its assets, water system, and support services to the newly elected town commissioners, effectively dissolving the old corporate structure in favor of the new town governance. The original corporation was officially dissolved in 1942 and its remaining assets were transferred to George H. Draper in 1944.

The earliest recorded donation, 1931

“Mr. Thomas Simpson offered a section of land near and in the rear of his dwelling at Slaughter Beach as a public dump for rubbish. This dump can not be used for garbage, and the piece of land is later to be designated by Mr. Simpson and a sign placed thereon stating ‘PUBLIC DUMP’. The motion was duly seconded and carried, Mr. Simpson’s offer was accepted.”

George H. Draper, Jr.

Through a number of land exchanges, George deeded and/or donated the areas that the Slaughter Beach Corporation owned to the new Town of Slaughter Beach. This took place over a number of years. The areas that make up what is now the fire hall parking lot, the tennis courts, the pavilion, and some areas west of those lots were designated as recreation areas.

Dick Caldwell mentioned in his history of the fire department that several of these donations went to building and improving the fire department. “When the reincorporating was complete (in 1958), the members decided to build a fire station in the incorporated limits of the Town of Slaughter Beach. Mr. Warren Newton from Bridgeville wanted to build a home on the south side of the beach which would encroach on one of the town streets. In exchange for footage on his property, Mr. Newton deeded a beach front lot to the town of Slaughter Beach, where the first two bays of the fire house now stand. The town of Slaughter Beach then deeded this lot to the fire company for the purpose of erecting a fire station. In addition, Mr. George Draper offered to deed a lot to the fire company, approximately one-quarter mile west of Bay Avenue on route 224, where he owned a hotel, in exchange for the beach front lot. The fire company elected to build at the present location and in recent years has purchased Mr. Draper’s original lot and surrounding property which is known as ‘Fireman’s Park’.” Mr. Draper was recognized for his donations in 1975, with a proclamation and a sign that was erected by the tennis courts.

Typed 1975 resolution of the Town Council of Slaughter Beach naming George H. and Laura S. Draper Distinguished Citizens and the recreation area the Draper Recreation Area, with a gold seal
The 1975 Town Council resolution naming George H. and Laura S. Draper "Distinguished Citizens"
Blue and white sign reading George H. Draper, Jr. and Family Recreation Area, Circa 1975, with a horseshoe crab emblem
The George H. Draper, Jr. and Family Recreation Area sign by the tennis courts

The 1940 fire

In September, 1940, the cottage of Ed Salevan caught fire and ignited the cottage next to it, owned by Dr. Samuel M.D. Marshall of Milford. Both of the cottages burned down completely, and since the properties were in the area of the current location of the fire hall, there was an arrangement for the owners to donate those lots to the Town. Note that in these pictures the pavilion can be seen clearly in the background, and looks toward the Delaware Bay. That was the original location of the pavilion which has been rebuilt a number of times over the years. The pavilion is in the background, and the fire damage shown in the foreground. These pictures are part of several photos that were taken by my father, E. Crerar Bennett.

Black and white photograph of burned cottage debris on the sand with the pavilion and the Delaware Bay in the background
The 1940 fire damage, with the pavilion in its original location in the background. Photo by E. Crerar Bennett.
Black and white photograph of men with a hose among burned debris, with the dance hall and the water tower behind them
The 1940 fire area looking east across Bay Avenue, with the "new" dance hall and the water tower. Photo by E. Crerar Bennett.

This photo shows the 1940 fire area looking east across Bay Avenue. There is a clear view of the “new” dance hall and the water tower that was established as part of the “Slaughter Beach Water Company”.

Parks and playgrounds

Donations in the honor of Richard Franklin Shockley created the Shockley Fire Ground Park. Other donations went to fund several other areas of the tennis and pickleball courts, and refurbishing the area of the children’s playground. 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. See the article “Clara Russell: First Female Mayor of Slaughter Beach“.

Bronze plaque on a brick pillar reading Shockley Fire Ground Park, in honor of Richard Franklin Shockley, Life Member, Memorial Volunteer Fire Company
The Shockley Fire Ground Park plaque

The Marvel Saltmarsh Preserve, 1989

The Marvel family donated 109 acres of marshland to the Delaware Nature Society and the area became known as the “Marvel Saltmarsh Preserve”. The Preserve is part of the Abbott’s Mill Nature Center of the Delaware Nature Society. This area features a walkway over the marsh to a viewing deck with binoculars. This area has provided a real-life viewing area of the living marsh and its inhabitants. There is also an active osprey nest nearby. There is also convenient parking across the street and a marked walkway across the road. This has become a favorite spot for residents and visitors alike.

Green Delaware Nature Society sign reading Marvel Saltmarsh Preserve with a flying osprey, mounted on a wooden frame beside the road
The Marvel Saltmarsh Preserve
Wooden information kiosk with Delaware Bayshore Byway and Abbott's Mill Nature Center panels, titled Welcome to the Marvel Saltmarsh Preserve
The welcome kiosk at the Preserve's parking area

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.