Delaware from Railways to Freeways

Tabler presents this eclectic collection of tales about the “First State” in the 19th century.

The second book in the author’s intended trilogy on Delaware history covers the 19th century, with a bit extra on either end. From early town planning through the Civil War, suffragists, and early automobiles, Tabler takes the reader through a series of vignettes about intriguing, amusing, or notable incidents in the history of Delaware, compiling a gallimaufry of colorful characters and political shifts. Ten sidebars highlight compelling aspects of local culture and customs, such as “Return Day” (a celebration of rival political parties working to resolve their issues),scrapple, and whipping posts—which, surprisingly, were still legal until 1972, making Delaware the last state to abolish them. Instead of aiming for a comprehensive account of the region, the author chooses an eclectic approach that makes the reader’s experience seem like spending an afternoon in a quaint local history museum with an enthusiastic docent. The contents are entertaining and varied, offering glimpses of little-known aspects of American history, from Colonial-era enmity between Whigs and Tories to inventions such as the Manby mortar, a cannon-like device used in rescuing people from sinking ships, to a bartending goose. Striking images (including full-color photographs and maps) and brief introductory remarks are grouped in the first 74 pages, with more detailed text following from page 75 on—this requires readers who want more than captions to keep flipping forward and back to read a full story. Presenting the material in chronological order often separates related incidents and themes, and Tabler doesn’t always connect the events being discussed. For example, violent incidents occurring during the elections of 1787 are mentioned in two adjacent entries that don’t reference each other—although they illustrate that hot tempers and contested votes are nothing new in American history.

Overall, the author’s selection of topics seems somewhat arbitrary, more a collection of random items than an organized sequence of major events. This approach yields sometimes odd juxtapositions, with the Underground Railroad and scrapple’s humble origins presented back-to-back and a pioneering astronomer profiled between accounts of Civil War hardships. In a few cases, Tabler includes information that is only tenuously tied to the state, as when relating the famous “cherry tree” story about George Washington, invented by Parson Weems, even though it appears that Weems’ only Delaware connection is that he once preached at St. Peter’s church in Lewes. Overall, however, the author achieves a nice balance of humorous and serious elements. Tabler’s straightforward writing style is appropriate for the material, but it is often marred by awkward phrasing and clunky sentences. The author is also overly fond of puns and sometimes falls back on clichés (“Combustible plant working conditions were accidents waiting to happen”). The 140 engaging, high-quality images are arranged to provide context for present-day photos of artifacts and locations. While all of the images have source references (the acknowledgments cite more than 40 organizations and individuals), no sources or notes are provided for the text. Striking images and amusing stories paint a colorful (if disorganized) portrait of 19th-century Delaware.

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Tabler’s second entry in a trilogy covering the history of Delaware rides the rails into the First State’s storied past, covering the tumultuous yet prosperous 19th century and the dawn of the 20th, that era of iron, steam, Civil War, suffragettes, technical marvels, and surprises both fun—like the history of scrapple, or the suspender-and-pants rig known as a “breeches buoy” used to rescue mariners—to the morbid, like public whipping posts or the jolting tale of a child’s corpse being sent through the mail. The stories of trends, people, and material goods that Tabler highlights, in short and inviting bursts of text, are interesting and well buttressed by the copious illustrations.

Standouts include a breakdown of how Delaware developed its reputation as a haven for corporations, a fact that’s in amusing counterpoint to the fascinating story of Howard Pyle, the illustrator whose 1883 version of Robin Hood, drawn in his Wilmington studio, proved epochal. Pyle’s drawings and paintings of pirates, meanwhile, pioneered their depiction in childrens’ literature as merry, swashbuckling adventurers instead of bloodthirsty marauders, and his worldwide following included none less than Vincent van Gogh. Tabler includes photographs of objects that capture something of the texture of the past, such as shipbuilders’ tools, the first Civil War state draft lottery wheel, and the courthouse newel whose secret compartment might have held the arsenic that helped an outlaw evade justice.

While the layout and storytelling are inviting, actually reading the full accounts of the many tales, treasures, revelations, and inventions that Tabler covers demands flipping through the book, after a paragraph or so, to unillustrated pages in the back, where the text continues. This process of flipping quickly becomes tedious. Sometimes, as with the fascinating story Tabler calls “Drowned at Sea—Twice,” the key proper nouns and basic facts of the case don’t appear until after the jump. Still, the stories themselves, like the life of notorious slave bounty hunter Patty Cannon, prove worth the work.

Takeaway: Interesting, surprising, thoroughly researched survey of Delaware’s 19th century.

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Delaware from Railroads to Freeways by Dave Tabler is a visually stunning book that takes readers on a captivating journey through Delaware’s 19th-century history. With engaging narrative and stunning graphics that seem to leap off the page, this book provides an immersive and enthralling reading experience as Tabler chronicles the rich history of Delaware. This is his second installment of a three-part series on the history of Delaware – the First State.

Tabler provides a  fascinating history of 19th-century Delaware. It is a lively, readable portrayal of the state’s history, not a dry recital of dates and facts. Step back in time with Tabler as he covers the events that changed and enriched 19^th-century Delaware. Like the powerful impact of the railroads, as they birthed thriving towns and sparked a wave of new industry. He talks about the turbulent dynamics of the Civil War. A time when Delawareans grappled with their divided loyalties and sent their sons off to battle – some for the Union, others for the Confederates. The author, Dave Tabler, is an excellent researcher, storyteller, and historian.  He writes of historical gems and rarely known knowledge about Delaware’s rich past. His work delves deep into the state’s history and offers fantastic tales of the past.

Organized chronologically, the stories are short (usually no more than a page or two) fact-filled but not bogged down in boring facts (Tabler’s a lively writer), and often, surprising — even to those of you who think you know quite a bit about the great state of Delaware – he delivers a tale you have never heard of before.

He tells the story behind the stories, including how different events are interlinked.  Tabler chronicles the history with vibrant illustrations, photos, and informative captions, which readers can explore further through extended accounts in the “Notes on Photographs” section. His Sidebars add a touch of local flavor, highlighting unique 19th-century Delaware traditions like covered bridges, sleighs, etc.

Tabler is not only a historian and author but also a professional photographer. His exquisite photos genuinely make this book one-of-a-kind. They are of such high quality, that for me they almost appear in 3D. I was super impressed by the high quality of the photographs he included in the book.

The names and accomplishments of famous Delawareans are sprinkled throughout the book. You will read exciting vignettes like the last pistol dual in Delaware between Gordon Bennett and Frederick May. And why did Delaware get to be known as the “Peach State?” Who is John A. Jones and what did he invent?

For Delaware natives and enthusiasts, this is probably one of the best-illustrated background books of Delaware’s 19^th-century history as you can find about the First State. It is truly a captivating book.

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Clarion Rating: 4 out of 5

Delaware from Railways to Freeways is a beautiful regional reference text that covers the landscapes and artifacts that first defined Delaware as a state.

Dave Tabler’s Delaware from Railways to Freeways is a fascinating history text covering important sites and artifacts from the first state.

The book includes a wealth of historical and social insights into the production techniques and ultimate significance behind the early Delaware artifacts and events it covers. It makes note of the geographical importance of certain buildings and landscapes as well. Detailed images appear on each page of the book alongside brief, evocative descriptions of their meaning and significance. The result is an involving pictorial history of the evolution of Delaware, complemented by distinguishing coverage of the development of the state’s transportation infrastructure.

The book does an intriguing job of connecting seemingly unrelated historical threads. It finds significance and beauty in otherwise unremarkable sights, as of moss on a cypress roof. An ancient fallen tree is revealed to have been a hiding place for a runaway slave, too. It argues that the once prevalent railways and subsequent freeways shaped Delaware’s social fabric and trade. Religion, commerce, the arts, agriculture, family life, and medicine in the state are also represented, demonstrating how objects and landscapes carry with them echoes of all kinds of history.

The book becomes more esoteric in covering Delaware technologies, as with the Manby mortar, a life-saving device making use of the principles of artillery. Objects like communion tokens that were used to signify worthiness in Calvinist churches act as material evidence of networks of shared beliefs and customs. Elsewhere, destructive yet evocative messages from the past, as with graffiti, are photographed and contextualized. Nor does the book forget obscure Delaware personalities: it memorialized people including W. F. Quinby, an early aviation proponent whose experiments didn’t quite pan out but whose failures were important in the eventual triumph of the Wright brothers, and it discusses Annie Jump Cannon, an early astronomer and pioneering woman of science.

With detailed notes that expand its material with names, dates, and in-depth analysis, the appendix complements this thorough Delaware text. However, there’s no state map included to place the pictured sites into their overarching geographical context, and this peculiar absence is felt. Still, Delaware from Railways to Freeways is a beautiful regional reference text that covers the landscapes and artifacts that defined Delaware in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Reviewed by Matt Benzing

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DELAWARE FROM RAILWAYS TO FREEWAYS is the second book in a series that began with Delaware Before the Railroads and whose planned conclusion is Delaware from Freeways to e-Ways. In his preface, author Dave Tabler touts the advent of the railroad, saying that it “ushered in a prosperous era for the First State” due to Delaware’s “strategic location” on the Delaware Bay. The book is mostly photographs, all of which are vibrant and compelling and include objects that would not be present in most histories of the state, such as John Jones’s adjustable peach sorter: an 1874 invention that revolutionized peach sorting. Or the crawlspace in the home of Quaker couple Daniel and Mary Corbit, in which they hid a fugitive slave in 1845. Tabler’s captions are bite-sized yet satisfying, offering readers a plethora of history without making them feel overworked.

Nearly every photo caption ends with a note to see a later page in the volume, where more text about the photo can be found. This is a bizarre and frustrating way to organize a book. Why not put all the text for each photo with that photo? Yes, that would mean one photo per page, instead of the current two or three, but the efficiency gained by this organization—not having to constantly flip to the back of the book to keep reading—more than makes up for any downside. This is especially true for an e-book, in which the reader can’t flip back and forth, easily paperclip, or bookmark those later pages. Such an arrangement would also prevent the book’s current imbalance of having all the fascinating, eye-catching pictures up front while the visually duller text brings up the rear. Surely, it is more pleasing to have high-quality color photos distributed throughout the book.

Another question pertains to the photo credits: where are they? Tabler includes an acknowledgements page, in which he thanks dozens of organizations. Presumably, they are the sources of the photographs, but it is impossible to know which image came from which organization. Tabler’s website states that he has provided photography for other books, so maybe he took most (or all) of the pictures here. Proper credits would answer the question.

More a coffee-table book than a proper history, Dave Tabler’s DELAWARE FROM RAILWAYS TO FREEWAYS is a worthy read for any devotee of Delaware’s past.

~Anthony Aycock for IndieReader

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In “Delaware from Railways to Freeways,” Dave Tabler masterfully charts the evolution of Delaware from a maritime nexus to a hub of rail and road transportation, encapsulating the state’s journey through the currents of change. This meticulously researched work delves into the critical period when the emergence of the railroad served as the catalyst for Delaware’s economic boom, leveraging its strategic position along the Delaware Bay to enhance its cargo distribution capabilities and fuel the growth of industries along its waterways.

Tabler’s narrative is a tribute to Delaware’s adaptability and innovation, tracing the seminal transition from sea to land transport. The establishment of the New Castle & Frenchtown Railroad and the Delaware Railroad emerges as pivotal moments in the text, illustrating their profound impact on the development of local towns and agricultural practices. The narrative doesn’t shy away from the broader implications of these developments, offering readers a window into the rise of key industries like the iron shipyards in Wilmington and the DuPont company’s dominance in explosive manufacturing, especially highlighted during the tumultuous times of the Mexican and Civil Wars.

The book’s exploration of Delaware’s complex stance during the Civil War, marked by split allegiances, adds a layer of depth to its historical account, providing a nuanced understanding of the state’s socio-political landscape during this era.

What sets “Delaware from Railways to Freeways” apart is its rich visual documentation. A comprehensive collection of photographs, illustrations, and detailed captions brings the state’s storied past to life, offering readers a visually immersive experience. The extended accounts in the “Notes on Photographs” section, alongside insightful sidebars on local 19th-century traditions, enhance the narrative’s accessibility and appeal, catering to both casual readers and dedicated history enthusiasts alike.

Tabler’s work is more than a historical account; it’s an homage to the individuals, innovations, and events that have indelibly shaped Delaware’s identity. The book underscores the significance of the state’s formative years and their lasting impact on its trajectory. Through “Delaware from Railways to Freeways,” readers are invited to appreciate the nuanced tapestry of progress and transformation that defines Delaware.

In summary, Dave Tabler’s “Delaware from Railways to Freeways” is an essential read for anyone interested in the intricate dance of progress, the transformative power of transportation, and the unique historical narrative of Delaware. This book stands as a testament to the state’s rich heritage and enduring legacy, offering a comprehensive and engaging exploration of its evolution from the age of sail to the era of the freeway.

Written by Jeyran Main

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