LEWES, Del. - A Lewes landmark known as the Pole Family drew a lot of attention and fans on Route 9. The pole was wiped out on Sunday by a driver who swerved off the road, and never stopped.
All that is left of the Pole Family is debris and a mannequin head that locals used to set up a memorial.
According to a Sussex County historian, Jim Bowden, the family was attached to an old load pot pole used for a telephone signal.
Delaware State Police told WRDE a police report was filed on October 4th at 7:30 p.m. The agency says there is very limited information available at this time and that cause of the accident is unknown. There was only one car involved, and no injuries were reported.
"That really upset me. Believe it or not. Because I go by and I say ‘What have they got on now?’ ‘Who changes their clothes?’ All these kinds of questions. And we always have a good laugh over it!” said Dominique Rohlfs, a Lewes resident.
George, Millie, and the occasional baby were always dressed for the occasion. They were decorated for Super Bowl Sunday, St. Patrick's Day, 4th of July, and were even dressed as health care workers.
"I think people like to see them. I think it's a shame I'm very sorry. Maybe they'll put it back together,” said Ellen Graves, another Lewes resident.
Locals stopped by to say their final goodbyes to the pole people.
"I drive by every time there’s a new holiday, and take pictures of how they're dressed and send it back to friends in Maryland to wish them a happy Christmas or Thanksgiving, so I was very disappointed to hear that they've been hit or run over,” said Robin Irwin.
There is a mystery surrounding the pole people. No one knows who had been dressing them. Rohlfs wonders if they will be replaced.
"I think that brings people to look at things like that and say 'hey that's unusual' and that's what's nice about living in this area because there are a lot of unusual things, especially the pole people!” said Rohlfs.
As of now, WRDE has not heard of any plans to replace the pole where the family once stood.
