Deemer's Beach Amusement Park

Visitors to Deemer's Beach arriving on the steamboat, Queen Anne.

Courtesy of the New Castle Historical Society.

At the turn of the 20th century, outdoor recreation surged in popularity. Thanks to labor reforms and time-saving technologies, more Americans had something previous generations considered rare, leisure time. What had once been a luxury reserved for the wealthy became increasingly accessible, and people began seeking ways to enjoy their time outdoors.

Originally, amusement parks and rustic retreats catered to those with both the time and money to travel. But by the early 1900s, these attractions began opening their gates to a broader public. One such place was right here in New Castle: Deemer’s Beach.

In the 1920s, Sheldon S. Deemer, a prominent local industrialist, tapped into this growing trend. After retiring from his successful company Deemer Steel Casting Company in 1923, he invested in creating an amusement park along the Delaware River, just downstream from today’s Battery Park walking trail.

Deemer’s Beach quickly became a popular destination. Conveniently situated near major travel routes, visitors arrived by trolley, automobile, or even steamboat from Wilmington and Philadelphia. Visitors traveling by steamboat were greeted by a jetty and a distinctive tidal pool filled by the ebb and flow of the river. A wooden boardwalk and pier framed the jetty, creating a unique waterfront setting.

Spread across 100 acres, the park offered something for everyone. Guests could enjoy a hotel, bathhouse, penny arcade, merry-go-round, and a striking refreshment stand modeled after the 1908 Reading (PA) Pagoda. Entertainment was a major draw: the park featured boxing exhibitions, a mirrored dance hall, and even hosted a 1931 dance marathon with Red Skelton. Other big-name performers, including ventriloquist Edgar Bergen, also made appearances.

Despite its popularity, Deemer’s Beach was not immune to the challenges of the era. Pollution from nearby industries made swimming unsafe, and the Great Depression strained families’ budgets. Still, Mr. Deemer supported the community by distributing food and supplies to neighbors in need. But when a 1933 hurricane destroyed the jetty pool, the park closed permanently. Sheldon Deemer passed away the following year.

Though Deemer’s Beach is gone, its memory lives on in photographs and stories passed down through generations. It remains a vivid chapter in New Castle’s history, a time when the riverfront echoed with laughter, music, and the joy of summer.

Historic Benchmarks: New Castle and the Making of a Nation

Tucked along the banks of the Delaware River, the city of New Castle has long been a place where national stories unfold in local ways. From its founding by Dutch settlers in 1651 to its time as Delaware’s colonial capital, New Castle’s history reflects broader themes in the American experience—immigration, industrial growth, and transportation revolutions all left their mark on this small but significant town.

Throughout its history, New Castle has drawn newcomers from around the world. Some came seeking opportunity, others came in search of community, and all contributed to the layered identity of a town deeply intertwined with the nation’s growth. Its streets and structures bear witness to shifting colonial powers, evolving industries, and changing transportation networks that linked it to regional and global currents.

This article series, part of the Historic Benchmarks project and supported in part by Delaware250, invites you to explore New Castle’s past in greater depth. Through these stories, we hope to cultivate a deeper appreciation for Delaware’s role in shaping the nation—and inspire a new generation to care for and carry forward the diverse legacies of our state’s communities.

What questions will New Castle’s story spark for you?