If small beach resorts are your thing, I have just discovered a new one. Don’t you love that word, “discovered,” like Columbus discovered America. My family and I decided to hit Habit Burger up then head to Bruce’s Beach, a small beach resort in the city of Manhattan Beach.
We were delighted by the serenity of the town that sits above the ocean providing residents a captivating view of sailboats, working tugs, surfers, cyclists, dogs and friendly people. I was later to learn that Manhattan Beach has become a boomer town, where aging boomers most likely with serious money have retired.
After settling down for our picnic consisting of Habit burgers, teriyaki chicken sandwiches and beverages, we each head our way to enjoy the park, alone together.
As I walked the small upper park area, I saw the historical marker that identified this park as Bruce’s Beach. According to Wikipedia, “Bruce’s Beach was originally a small beach resort owned and operated for African Americans. The beach area provided the African American community with opportunities unavailable at other beach areas because of segregation.
This was not to last. As a result of racial friction from white neighbors, the property was seized using an eminent domain proceeding in the 1920s and it closed down. Some of this area was eventually turned into a city park in the 1960s but renamed Bruce’s Beach in 2007.”
I could not figure out how my son had happened upon this beach. He did not know anything about this park until I showed him the marker except that he loved the park and the beach.
But he knows about “Ink Wells” elsewhere in the United States in beach resort towns such as Martha’s Vineyard where black people congregated during segregation.
It seems that Willa and Charles Bruce purchased two city blocks from a Mr. Peck, a wealthy developer who was the founder of Manhattan Beach for $1225. I do not know where their money came in terms of business except that they were entrepreneurs. They bought these 2 blocks then added on three lots establishing a resort which they named for Mrs. Bruce. Their development included Peck’s Pier and gave blacks access to the beaches at a time when access to public beaches was highly restricted especially in a lily-white community such as Manhattan Beach. It included a bathhouse and dining house for blacks. In addition to Peck’s Pier and a pavilion on 34th Street, according to LA Times archives a section of Santa Monica State Beach referred to as the “Ink Well,” and the Pacific Beach Club in Orange County were other areas where blacks could beach.
By the 1920’s the racial tension was extremely high. The Los Angeles’s population had increased and property values soared in the 1920s. Blacks began to suffer from increased racial tension, before an eminent domain proceedings started by the city forced the club to close down.
Yes I say we discovered Bruce’s Beach, a little known one-time black-owned beach resort in Manhattan Beach, California. I know this is stretching the truth. But I cannot wait to go back and you will not be disappointed.
For information on Manhattan Beach, California contact the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce.
arelis cintron says
What a great discovery Patricia! To be able to learn and enjoy a place you visit is an amazing experience. Thank you for sharing this with us! Entrepreneurs indeed!
Sylvia Lewis says
Patricia, What a delightful story. I love finding hidden treasures in Black History like that. I hope you keep digging!
Patricia A Patton says
Thanks for reading Sylvia. Was so surprised.
Frances Stanfield says
Patricia, this was so interesting. I couldn’t stop reading. It is amazing how many nuggets there are to capture about black history. I just love it! Thanks for sharing.
Frances
Patricia A Patton says
Thank you Frances for reading. It is such a beautiful beach and there were so many people using the beach. Do go there.