Close Menu
The Shade RoomThe Shade Room
  • SHOWS
  • CELEBS
  • NEWS
  • BEAUTY & STYLE
  • TSR TEENS
  • TSR SHOP
  • NEWSLETTER
  • CAREERS
  • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • GET FEATURED
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube TikTok Snapchat
Trending
  • Ashanti Confirms She Gave Birth To Her First Child With Nelly & Shows Off Her Postpartum Body (VIDEO)
  • Say WHAT?! Kentucky Man Is Sentenced After He Allegedly Faked His Own Death To Avoid Paying Child Support
  • Whew! DaniLeigh’s Brother Reportedly Reveals How Much He’s Seeking From DaBaby In His Bowling Alley Brawl Lawsuit
  • Playing Too Much? Kevin Gates Reacts After Popping YouTuber For Invading His Personal Space (VIDEOS)
  • New Jersey Police Search For Woman After She Allegedly CIimbed Over A Zoo Fence To Pet 500 Lb. Tiger (VIDEO)
  • In Baby Bliss! Joie Chavis Shares Her Maternity Photos
  • Whew! Kirk Frost & Rasheeda’s Mom Rile Social Media UP After Sharing THIS Kiki Moment (WATCH)
  • Issa Wrap! Jennifer Lopez Files For Divorce From Ben Affleck On Two-Year Anniversary Of Their Second Wedding Ceremony
  • Wisconsin Woman Receives 11-Year Sentence For Murdering Man Who Allegedly Sexually Abused Her As A Teen
  • Trina & Towanda Braxton Speak On Healing After The Passing Of Their Sister Traci & Returning To Reality TV | SITSR (Exclusive)
The Shade RoomThe Shade Room
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube TikTok Snapchat
  • SHOWS
  • CELEBS
  • NEWS
  • BEAUTY & STYLE
  • TSR TEENS
  • TSR SHOP
  • ADVERTISE WITH US
The Shade RoomThe Shade Room
Home » Latest Tea » California Beach Previously Taken From Black Owners In Jim Crow Era To Be Sold By Descendants Back To Los Angeles County For $20 Million
Featured

California Beach Previously Taken From Black Owners In Jim Crow Era To Be Sold By Descendants Back To Los Angeles County For $20 Million

Matthew McNultyBy Matthew McNulty2023/01/04No Comments
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Chief Duane "Yellow Feather" Shepard (R) raises his fist into the air alongside (L-R) Sandra Bruce, activist Kavon Ward, and Derrick Bruce during a ceremony to return ownership of Bruce's Beach to the descendants of a Black family who had the land seized from them through eminent domain a century ago on July 20, 2022 in Manhattan Beach, California. - Los Angeles county officials returned the California beachfront property to the descendants of a Black family who had the land seized from them a century ago, in a move hailed as a step towards atoning for racial injustice. Willa and Charles Bruce purchased the land in 1912 and after adding a few other adjacent plots created a beach resort, which came to be known as Bruce's Beach, catering to Black residents, who had few options at the time for enjoying the California coast. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

A California beach that had been taken from Black owners during the Jim Crow era, before being returned to their descendants last year, will be sold back to Los Angeles County for upwards of $20 million.

On Tuesday, county officials confirmed that family members of the original landowners, Willa and Charles Bruce, have informed the county of their decision to sell Bruce’s Beach, according to CNN. However, it’s still unclear when the sale will be completed.

“An Injustice Inflicted… On Generations Of Their Descendants Who Almost Certainly Would Have Been Millionaires”

“The seizure of Bruce’s Beach nearly a century ago was an injustice inflicted upon not just Willa and Charles Bruce but generations of their descendants who almost certainly would have been millionaires,” Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Hahn said in a statement.

The Bruce family had previously received the official deed to the oceanfront property last year, after it was taken by the city of Manhattan Beach following efforts from relatives, local officials and activists.

‘Reparations’: Bruce’s Beach Being Sold Back To L.A. County That Seized It From Black Family 99 Years Ago: A year after a Black family won back the Bruce's Beach property previously owned by their ancestors, they're selling the land for $20 million.
… https://t.co/6fSDXctvRi pic.twitter.com/yMDtdHEfg8

— Marcus Evans 📚 ⚛️ 🔭 ⚖️ 💙 🎼 🏅 (@MarcuswevansSr) January 4, 2023

The land was purchased by Willa and Charles Bruce 1912 for $1,225, and the couple eventually built several facilities on the property, including a cafe and changing rooms.

The resort ended up becoming a popular tourist attraction for Black families, however the Bruce’s were treated by White neighbors and the Ku Klux Klan, the outlet reports.

Property Seized In 1924 By Manhattan Beach Citing Eminent Domain

And just 12-years later in 1924, Manhattan Beach took ownership of the property, paying the Bruce’s a paltry sum when compared to the land’s worth, while citing eminent domain.

Eminent domain is the process by which the government may seize private property with proper compensation, but without the owner’s consent.

The Bruces ultimately left the property and died just five years later.

Bruce family to sell Bruce’s Beach property back to LA County for $20 million https://t.co/KyeWX9RdyD pic.twitter.com/mbBOhgXSKM

— Alaturka News (@alaturkanews) January 3, 2023

 

The beach was since turned into a park, complete with a lifeguard training facility.

Then in 1995, the property was transferred to Los Angeles County, beginning the process that would eventually lead to county officials returning the land to the family.

“This Is What Reparations Look Like” L.A. County Board Of Supervisors Chair Says

In 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom championed those efforts and signed legislation to allow for the return of the property to Bruce’s descendants.

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Hahn too said she fought hard to return the land to the Bruce family, because she “wanted to right this wrong,” and added “this is what reparations look like,” according to CNN.

“This is what reparations look like and it is a model I hope governments across the country will follow,” Hahn said in the statement.

Bruce's Beach in Manhattan Beach was stripped away from a Black family nearly a century ago under false pretenses. The family's descendants won a lengthy legal battle to reclaim the land and are now selling the property back to L.A. County for $20 million. https://t.co/YZyQZ5ekQS pic.twitter.com/tQZF8cOpHV

— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) January 3, 2023

Comments are closed.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Ashanti Confirms She Gave Birth To Her First Child With Nelly & Shows Off Her Postpartum Body (VIDEO)

2024/08/21

Say WHAT?! Kentucky Man Is Sentenced After He Allegedly Faked His Own Death To Avoid Paying Child Support

2024/08/21

Whew! DaniLeigh’s Brother Reportedly Reveals How Much He’s Seeking From DaBaby In His Bowling Alley Brawl Lawsuit

2024/08/21
Latest Posts

Ashanti Confirms She Gave Birth To Her First Child With Nelly & Shows Off Her Postpartum Body (VIDEO)

2024/08/21

Say WHAT?! Kentucky Man Is Sentenced After He Allegedly Faked His Own Death To Avoid Paying Child Support

2024/08/21

Whew! DaniLeigh’s Brother Reportedly Reveals How Much He’s Seeking From DaBaby In His Bowling Alley Brawl Lawsuit

2024/08/21

Playing Too Much? Kevin Gates Reacts After Popping YouTuber For Invading His Personal Space (VIDEOS)

2024/08/21

#TSRExclusive

Not you missing out on our newsletter, tap in & sign up!

About
About

TSR is the culture's definitive source for trending celeb news, exclusive interviews, videos, and more.

NMSDC CERTIFIED

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube TikTok Snapchat
Latest Posts

Ashanti Confirms She Gave Birth To Her First Child With Nelly & Shows Off Her Postpartum Body (VIDEO)

Say WHAT?! Kentucky Man Is Sentenced After He Allegedly Faked His Own Death To Avoid Paying Child Support

Whew! DaniLeigh’s Brother Reportedly Reveals How Much He’s Seeking From DaBaby In His Bowling Alley Brawl Lawsuit

Featured Posts

In Baby Bliss! Joie Chavis Shares Her Maternity Photos

Whew! Kirk Frost & Rasheeda’s Mom Rile Social Media UP After Sharing THIS Kiki Moment (WATCH)

Issa Wrap! Jennifer Lopez Files For Divorce From Ben Affleck On Two-Year Anniversary Of Their Second Wedding Ceremony

© 2025 The Shade Room
  • Celebs
  • News & Politics
  • Beauty & Style
  • Shows
  • TSR Teens
  • TSR Shop
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.