Los Angeles County to Return Beach Stolen from Black Family During Jim Crow Era

Los Angeles County has voted to return a stretch of beach stolen from Black residents during the Jim Crow era.

On Tuesday, the L.A. Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to give the land back to descendants of the owners, Charles and Willa Bruce. The Bruces purchased the Southern California land in 1912 for $1,225. They built several establishments, including a cafe and changing rooms on what was known as Bruce’s Beach. The area became an instant oasis for Black families.

Sadly, harassment from the Ku Klux Klan and white neighbors quickly morphed into a campaign to get the couple out of the area. In 1924, the city took the property through eminent domain with the intention of making it a park. They paid the couple only a fraction of their asking price. The property was transferred to Los Angeles County in 1995.

Last year, Governor Gavin Newsom streamlined efforts to return the property, signing legislation to transfer the land. Under the family’s ownership, county officials will rent the property from the Bruces under a 24-month lease agreement at $413,000 yearly.

Sen. Steve Bradford, who is on California’s reparations task force, praised the decision. Kavon Ward, founder of Justice for Bruce’s Beach, which pushed efforts to return the land to its rightful owners, is also overjoyed about the return of the property, valued at more than $20 million.

“I feel joy. I feel honored that the most high would use me as a vessel to help make this happen, to be the catalyst for this happening,” Ward said.