A Beachfront Property Taken From A Black Family A Century Ago May Soon Be Returned

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William Redmond III, who is visiting from Atlanta, takes a photo of the historic plaque marking Bruce’s Beach on April 19, 2021 in Manhattan Beach, California.

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In an aerial view, Bruce’s Beach (C) is wedged between expensive real estate on April 19, 2021 in Manhattan Beach, California.

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A photo of Charles and Willa Bruce is attached to a plaque marking Bruce’s Beach on April 19, 2021 in Manhattan Beach, California.

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A photo of Charles and Willa Bruce is attached to a plaque marking Bruce’s Beach on April 19, 2021 in Manhattan Beach, California.

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The board also enacted ordinances preventing the opening of any new beach resorts, effectively blocking the Bruces from relocating their business within the city limits.

«As a result of these intentional racially discriminatory acts, the Bruces lost their land and their business, the Bruce family moved out of the City of Manhattan Beach, and the city immediately demolished the Bruce’s Beach resort,» the bill reads.

Why does transferring the land require a new law?

Because the action against the Bruces involved government bureaucracy, it’s not as easy as simply turning over the property to the descendants of the family.

After a series of land transfers, the plots formerly belonging to the couple were given to Los Angeles County.

But state law requires L.A. County to use Bruce’s Beach for public recreation and prevents it from transferring or selling the property.

The bill that has now gained final legislative approval would eliminate that restriction for Bruce’s Beach.