Thursday, July 19, 2018

1905 Rehoboth Bathing



REFRESH AND BATH AT THR BEACH
1905


In 1905 women at the beach wore dark wool bathing suits , with puffed sleeves and
fancy collars, stockings and shoes, hats. Men wore shorts and shirts that covered them
from elbows to the knees. Somehow in 1903 it was reported “ladies bathing suits are
more picturesque than ever and we are glad to say there were none of questionable style.

At the ocean end of Baltimore Avenue, E. S. Hill established bath houses and rented the
latest bathing attire. He also furnished salt water hot tubs, clean towels and roller
chairs for the boardwalk.

As time went by, beach attire shrunk to a point where one could actually swim with
them on. Soon outfits that scandalized the Victorian attitudes appeared and the
Rehoboth Town Commissioners declared it illegal for any person to bathe in the ocean
unless covered from elbow to knees, and of material not to appear vulgar when wet.

More bathers ventured farther into the sea breakers in the less cumbersome swim suits, so
for safety rope lifelines were run out past the breakers at the front of the Casino and Hills
baths.

Never was the ocean more majestic, sunsets and sunrise more beautiful, and bathing
more refreshing


Abstract: Michael Morgan's Sussex Journal, Delaware Coast Press, July 18, 2018
By Harrison H. www.iinni.blogspot.com

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