BOOK REVIEW: DELAWARE FROM THE RAILWAYS TO FREEWAYS BY DAVE TABLER

RATING: 📚📚📚📚📚

Delaware From the Railways to Freeways First State Second Phase it about the history of the railways in Delaware from 1800-1907. It likes having your resource guide to that time period, but small enough to not overwhelm you with information. The best part, there are pictures involved. I know I need to grow up, but I like visuals.

This resource guide holds documents, pictures, and illustrations. You learn about celebrations, such as Big Thursday, which was popular in the waterman community, and a day where farmers could catch a break. Delaware was known as “The Peach State” and John A. Jones patented the adjustable peach assorter in 1874. Dentist Levin D. Caulk was credited for “Caulking Cavities”, which provided a safe and affordable option for fillings. There is even a picture of his home from 1877, and it’s nice.

Reverend Charles A. Tindley was ordained at the Methodist Epsicopal Church in 1885 and preached at the Zoar Methodist Church in Odessa, Delware from 1899-1902. He is responsible for 47 hymns, including a song called “I’ll Overcome Some Day”. He mostly served in African American communities.

This book is full of historical landmarks, gorgeous scenery, and marvelous inventions. A perfect read for kids, teens, and adults. There were a few times when the reference number within the main pages didn’t match up the page. It would point you to for more information, but that was okay by me. I barely turned towards the reference pages while reading the main portion. I read the references at the end. Either way, I enjoyed this book, and my son (fourteen) did as well.

Ten year old Dave Tabler decided he was going to read the ‘R’ volume from the family’s World Book Encyclopedia set over summer vacation. He never made it from beginning to end. He did, however, become interested in Norman Rockwell, rare-earth elements, and Run for the Roses.

Dave Tabler went on to earn degrees in art history and photojournalism despite being told he needed a ‘Plan B.’

n 2006 Tabler circled back to these earlier encounters with Appalachian culture as an idea for a blog. AppalachianHistory.net today reaches 375,000 readers a year.

Dave Tabler moved to Delaware in 2010 and became smitten with its rich past. He no longer copies Norman Rockwell, but his experience working with curators and collectors came in handy when he got the urge to photograph a love letter to Delaware’s early heritage. This may be the start of something.

https://davetabler.com