Step Back in Time at the Fort Miles Historical Area
Tucked into the dunes of Cape Henlopen State Park, a short drive from our hotel on the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk, concrete bunkers and lookout towers still keep watch over the mouth of Delaware Bay. The Fort Miles Historical Area preserves a key piece of America’s World War II coastal defense, and it makes a fascinating day trip from oceanfront accommodations at the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel.
Uncover the Secrets of the Fort Miles Historical Area
Construction of Fort Miles began in 1941 to protect Delaware Bay, Wilmington, and Philadelphia with minefields, searchlights, and heavy artillery. Over 2,300 soldiers were stationed there, and the fort’s 16-inch guns could fire shells up to 25 miles, well past Cape May.
Although the fort never fired on an enemy ship, a German U-boat surrendered here in 1945. During the Cold War, the post handled classified missions, including tracking Soviet submarines. Today, the Fort Miles Historical Area brings that history to life with its bunker museum, barracks, and artillery park.
Descend Into Battery 519
At the museum’s core is Battery 519, a hidden 15,000-square-foot dune bunker. It features a USS Arizona relic, stories of the 261st Coast Artillery, and details on offshore minefield operations. Guided tours are also available, and reservations are recommended.
Stand Beside a Gun From the USS Missouri
The open-air Artillery Park at the Fort Miles Historical Area centers on a 16-inch gun barrel that was aboard the USS Missouri the day Japan signed the surrender ending World War II. Weighing more than 116 tons and stretching 66 feet, the barrel was rescued from a Norfolk naval yard where it was headed for scrap. It now rests alongside artillery pieces like those that once guarded the bay.
Climb Observation Tower 7
This concrete fire control tower (one of 11 erected along Delaware’s coastline) helped soldiers identify targets and guide the fort’s artillery. Reaching the top offers grand views across Cape Henlopen, the surrounding bay, and the ocean beyond. In addition, a scenic overlook adjacent to Battery 519 offers the same view soldiers saw during wartime.
Time Your Visit
Museum hours at the Fort Miles Historical Area shift with the seasons, running daily in summer and on a lighter schedule the rest of the year. Check the current hours and park entrance fees before you set out.
From Wartime Bunkers to Victorian Elegance
Among oceanfront hotels in Rehoboth Beach, the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel offers unmatched elegance and location on the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk. Guests can indulge in authentic Victorian antiques with modern comforts, and a glass-enclosed elevator rises with ocean views. Dining at Victoria’s Restaurant makes a fitting finale to a day spent in the Fort Miles Historical Area!