California State Senator Says Leaders in Manhattan Beach Announce Legislation as First Step Toward Returning Bruce’s Beach to the Bruce Family
April 10, 2021
April 10, 2021 - Manhattan Beach, CA. - On Friday, LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn, State Senator Steve Bradford, LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, State Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, and other prominent local leaders gathered at the beachfront property known as Bruce’s Beach to announce the first step in the effort to return the property to the Bruce Family.
In 1912, a young Black couple named Willa and Charles Bruce purchased beachfront property in Manhattan Beach and built a resort that served Black residents. It was one of the few beaches where Black residents could go because so many other local beaches did not permit Black beachgoers. The Bruces and their customers were harassed and threatened by white neighbors including the KKK. Eventually, the Manhattan Beach City Council moved to seize the property using eminent domain in 1924, purportedly to create a park. The City took the property in 1929 and it remained vacant for decades.
The property the Bruce family once owned was years later transferred to the State and in 1995 transferred to Los Angeles County. It is now the site of the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Training Headquarters.