For many African Americans, owning land and a home has been a long-held aspiration—one that has required significant struggle to achieve and remains a challenge for many today. In 1924, a beach resort in Los Angeles served as a sanctuary for Black individuals, offering recreational opportunities that segregation denied them. This is the tale of Willa Bruce, who saw her dream snatched away due to racism and deceit.
A simple search reveals that the present-day Manhattan Beach is situated in Los Angeles County, within the South Bay community, popular among families and outdoor enthusiasts. However, the history behind Manhattan Beach often goes untold.
In 1912, Willa Bruce purchased two parcels of land for $1,225. An entrepreneur ahead of her time, Willa, along with her husband Charles, established a lodge, café, and dining hall for African Americans who would frequent the area. Willa had faced rejection in her prior attempts to buy land. “Wherever we have tried to buy land for a beach resort, we have been refused,” she lamented in a 1912 Los Angeles Times interview. This time, she was determined to realize her vision.
Over time, Black families built cottages by the shore, transforming the area into a kind of Martha’s Vineyard for African Americans. Bruce’s Beach became a cherished getaway until 1924, when the government seized the land from Willa Bruce under the guise of establishing a public park.
The community faced harassment from white residents who opposed the success of this Black enclave. Accounts describe intimidation tactics, often employed by the KKK, including the burning of mattresses and homes in the vicinity. Writer Rosanna Xia recounted that “Fake ‘10 minutes only’ parking signs were posted to deter Black visitors.”
To address the injustices of the past, California’s legislature recently passed a bill to return Bruce’s Beach, now valued at approximately $75 million, to the descendants of Willa and Charles Bruce. Historically, the government sided with the white residents who harbored resentment towards the Bruces, reflecting the racist attitudes prevalent at that time. The unjust closure of a vibrant community for Black individuals was a clear injustice.
It has taken over a century for the government to acknowledge its wrongs. For the Bruce family, however, it’s a case of better late than never, as the wrongful seizure of their land has cast a long shadow over generations. “How would you feel if your family owned a landmark and it was taken from you?” asked descendant Bernard Bruce in a 2007 Los Angeles Times interview.
Historian and Bruce relative, Duane Shepard, expressed his elation to the Southern California News Group, stating, “I’m overjoyed, this is one of the most significant events in American history.” While it took far too long for California to confront the injustice faced by this family, one must ponder how many more Black families have been similarly wronged. In my own family, my grandparents always emphasized the importance of homeownership and education—things no one could take away. Yet for the Bruce family, that was far from the reality. It’s about time this profound injustice was rectified, even if Willa and Charles are not here to witness it.
This article was originally published on Sep. 16, 2021.
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In summary, the story of Bruce’s Beach serves as a poignant reminder of the historical injustices faced by Black families in America. The recent legislative action to return the land to the Bruce family highlights the ongoing journey towards rectifying past wrongs and recognizing the importance of land and homeownership in the African American community.
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