Historical WWII gem hidden under Cape Henlopen State Park

LEWES, Del. – While many visitors often come to Cape Henlopen State Park to enjoy everything from swimming in the ocean, hiking the park’s trails, and more. If you search far enough you’ll stumble upon a different view underground. Where for the past 14 years park officials have been restoring this Battery 519 Bunker to show what life was like for the 2,500 soldiers stationed inside to defend the coast from a Nazi invasion.

“We’ve taken it from a underground bunker that was underwater, graffiti everywhere, and with them actually helping to lead the drive have turned this into quite a place for people to come experience,” said interpretive programs manager at the  Fort Miles Museum Sean Carrow.

Officials say the bunkers were used to store large weapons underground to guard the coast as important goods were transported through.

“If this wasn’t here and this operation wasn’t running and protecting the bay and the mouth of the river we never would’ve gotten out of almost 60% of supplies going over to what would be supplying Europe and things like that during the day and afterwards,” said Carrow.

And down the 427 ft. bunker, there’s displays set up in each room to show visitors what each area was used for.

“You’ll see the show room which is where they would store all the ammunition for that gun on each side. They’ll also see mines that we’re actually in the Bay helping to protect that as well as the mining operations” said Carrow.

And while park officials say it’ll still be some time before the entire museum is complete, they’re still happy to tell visitors all about the rich history of the first state.

“We want folks to know locally and think locally and then apply globally to what was going on for the whole time of world war two,” said Carrow.  If you’re interested in other historical tours of the area you can head to their website here.