Millions of people have been welcomed to Rehoboth Beach by the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse replica that sits in the middle of the Rehoboth Avenue traffic circle, but the lighthouse has a long history in the city.

In 1924, a Realtor built a replica of the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse at his Rehoboth Beach office on the first block of Rehoboth Avenue. The Village Improvement Association purchased the replica in 1928 and moved it to the entrance of the city near Grove Street. VIA maintained the lighthouse until 1971, when ownership was transferred to the City of Rehoboth Beach.

According to a 1942 article in The Morning News, the lighthouse was used by the Rehoboth Chamber of Commerce as an information kiosk. “Mrs. J. Edward Tikiob, custodian and assistant secretary of the chamber, is on duty in the lighthouse between 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4:30 p.m. daily. She is vacationist for the convenience of visitors.”

The original replica was demolished, but it was rebuilt using the original lantern in 2004 as part of a streetscape enhancement project.

This image was made in 1985 by photographer John Margolies as part of a Roadside America series.