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8 things to know about newly restored World War II tower in Delaware Seashore State Park

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Shannon Marvel McNaught, Delaware News Journal
·3 min read

A second historic World War II era watch tower, one of several that dot Delaware's beaches, is now open to the public.

The newly rehabbed, 57-foot tall World War II fire control tower at Tower Beach in Delaware Seashore State Park, recently opened to allow visitors to climb to the viewing area.

“The vistas are incredible, and we don’t want to lose our history from World War II,” said Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation board member Ernie Felici. The foundation helped raise money to restore the tower.

“It’s important to never forget the people that defended our country and our coastline,” Felici said.

Tower 3, one of 11 World War II era watch towers that dot the Delaware coast, recently was opened to the public. It took about 15 years and $1.7 million to restore the tower located in Delaware Seashore State Park south of Dewey Beach.
Tower 3, one of 11 World War II era watch towers that dot the Delaware coast, recently was opened to the public. It took about 15 years and $1.7 million to restore the tower located in Delaware Seashore State Park south of Dewey Beach.

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What to know about the towers

1. How many are there?

The newly rehabbed tower, known as Tower 3, is one of 15 fire control towers built as part of Fort Miles during World War II. Four of them are across the Delaware Bay in New Jersey, while the rest are in Delaware's Cape Henlopen, Delaware Seashore and Fenwick Island state parks.

2. Why were they built?

The fire control towers were built to defend the Delaware Bay and River from a potential German attack, but shots were never fired.

Tower 3, one of 11 World War II era watch towers that dot the Delaware coast, recently was opened to the public. It took about 15 years and $1.7 million to restore the tower located in Delaware Seashore State Park south of Dewey Beach.
Tower 3, one of 11 World War II era watch towers that dot the Delaware coast, recently was opened to the public. It took about 15 years and $1.7 million to restore the tower located in Delaware Seashore State Park south of Dewey Beach.

3. How big is Tower 3?

Tower 3 is 57.2 feet tall above ground, according to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, with 1-foot-thick walls and a 17-foot diameter. It's made of reinforced poured concrete, and the rehab project added nearly 100 spiral steps to the top.

4. What other tower can you climb?

Tower 3 is the second fire control tower in Delaware to be restored and opened to the public. The other, "The Observatory," is located at Cape Henlopen State Park. A third tower, at The Point at Cape Henlopen, was restored and is operated by The Pilots' Association for the Bay and River Delaware.

5. What can you see from the top of the tower?

From the top of Tower 3, visitors can see both the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Bay. Views include long swaths of coastline, dunes and wetlands, as well as the Indian River Inlet bridge and Route 1.

6. How did it get restored?

Work to restore Tower 3 began over 15 years ago but was delayed by the Great Recession. The project cost about $1.7 million, with the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation raising $500,000 and $300,000 allocated by Sussex County legislators.

Tower 3, one of 11 World War II era watch towers that dot the Delaware coast, recently was opened to the public. It took about 15 years and $1.7 million to restore the tower located in Delaware Seashore State Park south of Dewey Beach.
Tower 3, one of 11 World War II era watch towers that dot the Delaware coast, recently was opened to the public. It took about 15 years and $1.7 million to restore the tower located in Delaware Seashore State Park south of Dewey Beach.

7. Who restored it?

Construction was led by Delmarva Veterans Builders, a Salisbury, Maryland, company owned by Navy vet Chris Eccleston.

8. How do you get there

To get to Tower 3, direct your GPS to Tower Road in Rehoboth Beach. The parking lot has been repaved. As part of Delaware Seashore State Park, there is a $5 entry fee for Delaware-registered vehicles and a $10 fee for out-of-staters.

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Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Restored World War II tower now open in Delaware Seashore State Park