Kitts Hummock: Did Captain Kidd Bury Treasure Here?

Kitts Hummock Beach looking north, with Pickering Beach in the distance

Kitts Hummock is one of several waterfront hamlets that edge the Delaware Bay. Like Pickering Beach  a bit to the north, it’s basically a row of waterfront homes. The roads in front of the homes are private and closed to the public. There are a few public parking spaces along Kitts Hummock Road near public access to the beach.

Public entrance to Kitts Hummock beach

There’s also this sign erected by a private citizen.

Sign at the public entrance to Kitts Hummock beach

In contrast to the homes on Pickering Beach, which are now very close to the water, the homes on Kitts Hummock are set back a bit, and low dunes provide some protection.

Lexie enjoying the great smells on Kitts Hummock beach

The beach is very clean, but there’s some mud along the water’s edge.

Kitts Hummock beach shoreline

Fortunately, there’s a foot-washing and dog-washing station at the public beach entrance.

Rinsing station at Kitts Hummock beach

The historical marker at Kitts Hummock says it was named Kitts Hammock by Jehu Curtis in 1738, but it doesn’t say why Curtis gave it this name.

Historical marker at Kitts Hummock

“Hummock” or “hammock” means rising ground. But who was Kitts? There are legends that the original name was Kidds Hammock and that it was named for Captain Kidd. Kidd sailed between New York and the Caribbean in the late 1600s, and his ship stopped at Lewes.  There are rumors that Captain Kidd buried treasure in Kitts Hummock…. but then there are rumors that he buried treasure in several places along the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays! Piracy was a big business in the Delaware Bay in those days, coming as far north as Philadelphia.

As the historical marker explains, Kitts Hummock has been a retreat for Dover residents since the early 1800s, and it once had a hotel and cottages.

Kitts Hummock is an official horseshoe crab sanctuary and one of the best places to see horseshoe crabs between mid-May and mid-June. Here’s a cute video on how to help the crabs by flipping them over if the waves turn them upside down.

Only the beach below the high tide line is open to the public, so check the local tide schedule before visiting. We didn’t see any public rest rooms here.

 

Comments

  1. Claudia ToddDecember 20, 2020 at 6:24 AM

    WOW! I've always seen the road signs for "Kitts Hummock" but we've never driven out there. Now, we'll have to when we take a road trip. Thanks for this great information.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda SuskieDecember 20, 2020 at 6:42 AM

      You're welcome! We've had the same thought--we're now connecting road signs with places. Kitts Hummock Road is the same road that has Dickinson Plantation and St Jones Reserve, so there's lots to see there.

      Delete

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