Ever wonder where some of southern Delaware's most unusual names came from? Well, here's your answer...
Have you ever wondered where some of the unusual names you see and hear regularly around southern Delaware actually came from?
There are several to be sure. But where did they originate and what are the stories behind some of our area’s more unusual and unique names?
Well, we’re going to explore a few of them here today. There are more than the ones that made our list of 10, to be sure, but it’s not our goal to write a book today on our blog.
So, we’re just going to tackle 10 of them. This includes several that represent our area here in southern Delaware, and one that we just couldn’t resist in Worcester County, Maryland.
So, let’s just jump right in shall we? Here’s our list of southern Delaware names that are just a bit different than the norm.
Let’s start with…
Slaughter Beach
Ah, the peaceful town with the scary name. What a great place to start our list.
As for where Slaughter Beach got its name, there are a few stories that have been passed down from generation to generation. But, as much as we’d love for there to be an ominous back story to how it came to be, the most logical answer is that Slaughter Beach was named for William Slaughter, a postmaster in the area in the mid 19thcentury.
But there are other stories, particularly for those who don’t want to accept the logical reasoning behind the name.
And those center around two things – the fact that so many horseshoe crabs die on the beach each year, and that a local man slaughtered several Native Americans one year to prevent a coming attack.
As for us, as much as we’d like to indulge in story telling and folklore, we’re going with the first and most reasonable explanation.
Long Neck
Not as ominous as Slaughter Beach, but Long Neck still isn't a name you hear every day. And there’s bound to be a good story behind it, right?
Well, that depends on your definition of a “good story.”
The name dates back several generations and derives it’s meaning from the surrounding geography. A “neck” is generally a narrow strip of dry land that is bordered on three sides by lowlands, marsh or swamp.
And as this particular neck is very “long,” the name of Long Neck was created and has continued on throughout the years.
Bacon Switch
Located in southwestern Sussex County, Bacon Switch is also referred to simply as “Bacons.” But the natives of that area generally use the name “Bacon Switch” when speaking of this small piece of southern Delaware land.
The name derives from the days when railroads ruled the area, and there was a “switch point” located in this small community between Laurel and Delmar, on the main north/south railroad line.
It was named after the Bacon family, who were involved in the sawmill business.
Middlesex Beach
Built in the late 1950s, the sign emblazoned with this beachside community’s name certainly raises many eyebrows among travellers driving along Route 1, particularly in the summer months.
The community has a homeowner’s association that uses the slogan “Where Fun Never Ends,” adding to the curiosity. But what does the name mean? Is the explanation as fun and imaginative as our imagination would have us believe?
Well, we can’t honestly answer this one definitively, but we suspect it has something to do with the community’s location between the municipalities of Bethany Beach and South Bethany.
That would explain the “middle” part of the name. As for the “sex,” well you’re just going to have to use your imagination for that one.
Broadkill Beach
Ah, now here’s a good one to explore. But don’t worry, the name has nothing to do with the suspicious death of a woman, even though that would make for a good story now, wouldn’t it?
If you look around, you’ll notice many names in southern Delaware with the word “kill” in them. These include the Murderkill and Whorekill Rivers, as well as the Schuylkill near Philadelphia.
While some historical stories do indeed paint a gruesome picture, the simple explanation is that “kill” is the Dutch word for “river” or “creek.” And since the history of Sussex County can be traced back to the original Dutch settlement in 1631, many names for bodies of water in our area contain the word “kill” in them.
Want to see what else made our list? Read the rest of the story HERE.
