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July 16, 2021 - Cover Story: Historic Poodle Beach by Fay Jacobs

It’s Officially Poodle Beach!

 

The definitive—or not—words on Rehoboth’s gay beach

 


Poodle Beach is the previously unofficial, but now historically official, name for Rehoboth’s beachfront from Queen and Prospect streets to the south end of the boardwalk. It’s where the boys are, and none too few gals as well.


Every year, or occasionally every other year, there are words here in Letters about why that stretch is called Poodle Beach. Rehoboth residents and regulars don’t mind reading about it seasonally, and newcomers get the real, or partially real, scoop about why that sandy oasis is called Poodle Beach.


Sort of. Because frankly, nobody really knows.


Historians have long tapped Carpenter Beach, just over the dunes and heading towards Dewey, as Rehoboth’s first gay beach.


That sandy stretch was the home of Louisa Dupont Carpenter, an aviatrix and—though married to a man—known to enjoy the lesbian lifestyle. One of her closest friends was Hollywood legend Tallulah Bankhead, who often visited Louisa there, along with many homosexual male friends, during the 1930s and 40s. Louisa’s gal pal was torch singer Libby Holman, who, when accused of shooting her husband, tobacco heir Zachery Smith Reynolds, was bailed from jail by Louisa. Libby and Louisa took refuge from the scandal (the charges were eventually dropped) and came to live here in the mansion on Carpenter Beach. (It’s a great story, look it up!).


So Carpenter Beach became a known gathering spot for gay visitors and continued that way through the 1950s, 60s, and early 70s. Hundreds of older gay men would sun and socialize there, playing chess, backgammon, and volleyball a comfortable distance away from the vacationing straight couples and families on the official Rehoboth beach. 


Gay people faced the awful threat of exposure, firings, and even prison back then, so staying to themselves at Carpenter Beach made sense. 


According to reports from those who were there, it was a very sophisticated gay scene and the tradition went on for years. As there were no gay bars in Rehoboth in those days (and even if there were, it was against the law to walk with a drink in your hand, so nobody could socialize), gay visitors spent time on Carpenter Beach followed by private house parties—with shades drawn and discretion a must. 


The tradition continued almost unchanged through the 1960s and early 70s. Louisa du Pont Carpenter was still around at her beach home much of the time, but died in the early 70s after she crashed her single-engine plane trying to land at an eastern shore airport.


Why, then, don’t we still plant our rainbow flags there?


In the late 70s or early 80s, even with the threat of being outed, old-timers recall two men who may or may not have been “cousins,” who got fed up dragging their beach chairs and coolers all that way past the boardwalk. And they longed to be closer to boardwalk refreshments as well.


One day, they brazenly spread their blankets on the sand near Queen Street, and invited friends to join them. Soon, this growing collection of gays took a stand on the sand, holding their ground as the Rehoboth family crowd moved slightly north to accommodate them.


For a few years after that, a group of old-timers still frequented Carpenter Beach, with their chess and backgammon games, but eventually the shift to Queen Street became permanent, and Poodle Beach was born.


But, wait! Why did this “new” area become known as Poodle Beach? Perhaps, it was a hurled slur, or maybe those “cousins” had poodles. Some recall that they did indeed have fluffy white (or were they black?) standard poodles with them. The truth is, the naming of the beach remains a mystery.


Its location does not. As Rich Barnett recalled in 2018, “Memorial Day weekend is nothing but raucous on Poodle. It’s like being in a Cadmus painting with all the fellas cruising and showing off their winter workouts…. And yes, it’s perfectly fine to stare.” 


Diversity in ages, styles, ethnicities, and genders echo 2021 in wonderful ways.


And into the new millennium, Poodle Beach became more and more famous, crowded, home to legendary Drag Volleyball, and iconic to Rehoboth Beach. So iconic, in fact, that resident Frank Cooper, along with his friends, had been trying to find a way to commemorate the history of Poodle Beach.


Cooper petitioned the state of Delaware for a historical marker to acknowledge Poodle Beach as a historic refuge for LGBTQ people to have fun and relaxation, away from discrimination and harassment, for over 70 years.


The Delaware Public Archives Historical Marker Program approved the marker, one of over 600 in the state, in December 2020. Wording on the sign and placement of the marker are still in the works.


The name and its relation to poodles may remain a mystery but its popularity surely is not. And as of now, Poodle Beach is here, it’s queer, and it’s recognized as historic. ▼


Fay Jacobs is the author of five published books and is touring with her one-woman sit-down comedy show, Aging Gracelessly.

‹ July 16, 2021 - Music from the Heart by Matty Brown up July 16, 2021 - Straight Talk by David Garrett ›

Past Issues

Issues Index

  • December 17, 2021 - Issue Index
  • November 19, 2021 - Issue Index
  • October 22, 2021 - Issue Index
  • September 24, 2021 - Issue Index
  • August 20, 2021 - Issue Index
  • July 16, 2021 - Issue Index
    • July 16, 2021 - Cover to Cover with Issuu
    • July 16, 2021 - The Way I See It by Beth Shockley
    • July 16, 2021 - In Brief
    • July 16, 2021 - Out in Delaware by David Mariner
    • July 16, 2021 - Intentionally Inclusive by Wesley Combs
    • July 16, 2021 - CAMPNews
    • July 16, 2021 - SUN FESTIVAL 2021
    • July 16, 2021 - It's My Life by Michael Thomas Ford
    • July 16, 2021 - Community News
    • July 16, 2021 - Volunteer Spotlight by Karen Laitman
    • July 16, 2021 - Summer Treats by Fay Jacobs
    • July 16, 2021 - Words Matter by Clarence Fluker
    • July 16, 2021 - Membership Matters by Marj Shannon
    • July 16, 2021 - Who's That?.... That's CAMP! by Anita Broccolino
    • July 16, 2021 - Health and Wellness by Marj Shannon
    • July 16, 2021 - Health & Wellness Classes
    • July 16, 2021 - COVID-19 & HIV by Ashley Innes
    • July 16, 2021 - Out & About by Eric C. Peterson
    • July 16, 2021 - LGBTQ+ YA Column by Ella Walker
    • July 16, 2021 - Candidate Forum
    • July 16, 2021 - Dining Out by Fay Jacobs
    • July 16, 2021 - Out & Proud by Stefani Deoul
    • July 16, 2021 - CAMP Houses by Rich Barnett
    • July 16, 2021 - Celebrity Interview by Fay Jacobs
    • July 16, 2021 - Music from the Heart by Matty Brown
    • July 16, 2021 - Cover Story: Historic Poodle Beach by Fay Jacobs
    • July 16, 2021 - Straight Talk by David Garrett
    • July 16, 2021 - CAMPShots
    • July 16, 2021 - Summer Treats by Michael Gilles
    • July 16, 2021 - Booked Solid by Terri Schlichenmeyer
    • July 16, 2021 - Historical Headliners by Ann Aptaker
    • July 16, 2021 - Spotlight on the Arts by Doug Yetter
    • July 16, 2021 - Summer Treats by Ed Castelli
    • July 16, 2021 - The Real Dirt by Eric W. Wahl
    • July 16, 2021 - Theatre Is Back by Michael Gilles
    • July 16, 2021 - View Point by Richard J. Rosendall
    • July 16, 2021 - Visiting View by D'Anne Witkowski
    • July 16, 2021 - We Remember
  • June 18, 2021 - Issue Index
  • May 14, 2021 - Issue Index
  • April 16, 2021 - Issue Index
  • March 19, 2021 - Issue Index
  • February 19th, 2021 - Issue Index

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