Model grocery store added to historic Rehoboth diorama

A handmade scale model of the Allee W. Dick Grocery Store has been mounted on Paul Lovett’s diorama of 1910 Rehoboth.

During the early 1900s, the historic grocery store was on the northwest corner of 1st Street and Rehoboth Avenue. The model’s four building complex was built to specifications based on early 1900 pictures and the 1910 Sanborn Insurance map, both of which provided considerable detail. Besides the store, there were two adjacent cottage residences and, to the rear of the grocery, Rehoboth’s first telephone exchange, which is part of the model.

The diorama model is dedicated to Evelyn Dick Thoroughgood by her daughters, Melissa Thoroughgood and Lyn Thoroughgood Webster. Evelyn’s grandfather owned the store. Evelyn wondered why, in his later years, her grandfather seemed so sad. It turns out that his store burned to the ground during Rehoboth’s worst fire, Feb. 22, 1913. Some 30 structures on Baltimore and Rehoboth avenues were destroyed by that fire.

Knowing the fire was coming, Allee Dick and his wife moved as much of the stock as possible out onto the street. Unfortunately, not only was there no insurance on the store building, the fire’s onlookers pilfered the goods from the street.

The new model joins more than 40 additional buildings already positioned on the diorama. Each model replicates structures that existed during railroad-era Rehoboth. The diorama is a multi-year project to re-create the length of Rehoboth Avenue during the railroad era. It will eventually extend back to the west side of the canal.

The diorama is on display in the Rehoboth Beach Main Street Building by Grove Park and can be seen by appointment.

To schedule an appointment contact Paul Lovett at paul@pdlovett.com or 302-893-9391. To learn more, go to goldenageofrehoboth.com.