WCTU WATER FOUNTAIN

THE W.C.T.U. REHOBOTH AVENUE WATER FOUNTAIN

FACTS

“Everything inconsistent with Christian Morality shall be excluded and prohibited”.

That was the 'words' of the Rehoboth Camp Meeting Association in 1873 that the founders

envisioned a resort which would adhere to church principals that included a ban on alcoholic

beverages.

The 1800's average American took on seven gallons of liquor a year. This was

thought to be the cause of poverty, violence and crime.

The Rehoboth ban on alcoholic beverages last but a few years. Alcoholic beverages

became readily available. Alcohol was well advertized and touted as a health stimulant.

Although Rehoboth gave in, the WCTU did not. WCTU was formed a year after

Rehoboth was incorporated and stood fast to its ban on drinking.

In 1997 Sussex county outlawed intoxicating beverages but bootleg liquor found its

way in from stills hidden in the Great Cypress Swamp and many other isolated corners of

Sussex. Then in 1919 came the national prohibition liquor was not vanquished. The WCTU

continued the fight into the 1920s'

All this while Rehoboth was growing, there was an increase in visitors and vacationers,

visiting the resort, in 1929 the boardwalk was sent south and widened to 18 feet. At the foot

of Rehoboth Avenue the boardwalk was widened to 32 feet and that busy area provided the\

spot for the W.C.T.U. water fountain. By the time the Rehoboth fountain was in place the

national prohibition fell to public demand and in 1933 alcohol was legal, but, the Rehoboth

Avenue W. C. T. U. Water Fountain is still here.

Abstract 06/30/18 by Harrison H. of Micharl Morgan's Delaware diary, 22 October,

2014 Delaware Coast Press. www.delmarhistory.blogspot.com.