The Naming Of Slaughter Beach Is One Strange Delaware Tale You Won't Find In The History Books
By Kim Magaraci|Published February 18, 2020
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Kim Magaraci
Author
Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
Delaware is one of the most underrated states in the Northeast, and plenty of people who visit the state never stray far from their accommodations in Wilmington, Dover, or the resort beach towns. If they do take the time to drive around and get to know the First State, chances are they’ll have some questions about one particular bay shore town.
Anyone who's traveled along the Bayshore Scenic Byway has wondered about the name of Slaughter Beach.
There are a few local legends regarding the name of the town. The most likely origin is the most boring — the town has a postmaster named William Slaughter when it was first developing.
With so much competition for food and safety, as well as the opportunistic shorebirds hunting by day, many of the crabs don't make it through the season.
There's one often-repeated legend that may or may not be true, but it seems to be the most "fun" story to tell of the town. An early settler named Brabant attacked local tribes who lived near the beach, leading to a bloodbath on the beach.
Historians and locals may never agree on the origin of the name Slaughter Beach, but the town was incorporated in 1931, meaning this odd and slightly disturbing name is here to stay.
If you’re a Delaware nature lover, you’ll want to visit Slaughter Beach during the Horseshoe Crab season. Read all about this migration that’s studied all over the world, right here.
Are there any fun Delaware legends you’d like to share? Let us know what you love about your home state by clicking here.
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