]Looking back at Delaware’s history can remind us where we came from and how far we’ve come. Here are 13 rare photos that give a glimpse into bygone eras.

1. In 1910 these child laborers worked at American Tobacco Company, located in Wilmington.
tobacco workers
Lewis Hine / Wikipedia
2. A church group held a fish fry in uninhabited Ocean View in 1880. This area would later become Bethany Beach.
Bethany Beach fish fry
Wikipedia
3. It's hard to believe that this is Wilmington's Market Street in 1933.
Market Street Wilmington
Delaware Public Archives
4. Northern Bethany Beach's early years. You can see the lifesaving station off in the distance.
Bethany Beach homes 1920
Wikipedia
5. The first air raid drill in Delaware schools took place in the spring of 1952.
Delaware school air raid
Delaware Public Archives
6. This railroad station on Front and French Streets in Wilmington served as a train hub in 1880. The station was later demolished in 1907.
Railroad station
Wikimedia Commons / public domain
7. Electric locomotive maintenance at Amtrak's ex-Pennsylvania Railroad shops in Wilmington.
Railroad repairs
Wikimedia Commons
8. Two first-year students at UD transition to life on campus in 1951.
University of Delaware Freshmen class of 1955
Delaware Public Archives
9. The worst storm in Delaware's history hit in March 1962.
Storm of 1962 Delaware
Delaware Public Archives
10. These young women study vocations related to homemaking, including interior decorating and modeling. Date unknown.
homemaking class
Delaware Public Archives
11. Main Street in Middletown in 1968 looked quite a bit different than it does today!
Middletown Main Street Delaware
Delaware Public Archives
12. These children in Frederica dance around the May Pole in 1950.
May Pole Frederica
Delaware Public Archives
13. Actress Paulette Goddard at this war bond drive, held at Hotel Richardson in 1942.
War Bond Drive
Delaware Public Archives

Which was your favorite or most surprising photo? Tell us in the comments!

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