Bruce's Beach to be sold to LA County for $20 million in historic effort to rebuild wealth stripped by systemic racism

Nearly a century ago, a local government in Southern California took Bruce's Beach away from its Black owners simply because of the color of their skin. But last summer, the descendants of Willa and Charles Bruce finally won their long battle to regain the land. And now, they're reportedly planning to sell it back to Los Angeles County for a cool $20 million.

According to Janice Hahn, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the sale will help the Bruce family "finally rebuild the generational wealth they were denied for nearly a century." She added that the decision to sell was made by the family itself, saying: "This fight has always been about what is best for the family, and they feel what is best for them is selling this property back to the County for nearly $20 million."

For those who may not be familiar with the story, Bruce's Beach was a thriving resort for Black families back in the 1920s. However, the city of Manhattan Beach seized the property in 1924 through eminent domain, closing down the resort and depriving Black families of one of the few beaches where they were welcome. The land was later transferred to the state, and then to LA County.

In 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill allowing the beach to be transferred back to the Bruces, along with a plan for LA County to lease the land for $413,000 annually and an option to buy it for up to $20 million. Newsom apologized to the Bruce family for the injustice that had been inflicted upon them, saying: "We haven't always had a proud past."

It's not yet clear what the future holds for Bruce's Beach. Under previous California law, the county was barred from transferring the land and could only use it for recreational purposes. However, the law that facilitated the Bruces' regain of control over the property does not contain these provisions.

Wēouthir™ is a digital community for those living freely through exploration and independence. Follow us on Instagram here.