MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. – The city of Manhattan Beach memorial for Bruce’s Beach has been removed to make way for a new more comprehensive plaque.
We were not aware that the plaque was being removed until we were directed to an article in the Daily Breeze from April of this year that said it would be replaced in time for Juneteenth.
According to the article, the city council directed staff to make the changes but did so without voting.
The City Council this week directed staff, without a vote, to proceed with installing a new, more comprehensive plaque at the park describing the Bruces’ and other Black families’ early 20th century land ownership plights.
Staff, per council direction, will now remove the current plaque and replace it with the new one that will, like the original, face Highland Avenue.
Manhattan Beach’s new Bruce’s Beach plaque could come in time for Juneteenth
In March, the council voted on new language for the plaque and estimated the new one would be ready in six weeks.
Bruce’s Beach was illegally seized from owners Charles and Willa Bruce in 1924 by the City under the guise of eminent domain.
Under the leadership of County Supervisor’s Janice Hahn and Holly Mitchell, and Sen. Steve Bradford, the land was returned to the Bruce’s heirs.
We apologize for the error in the initial reporting we have updated and corrected our error.
3 Comments
The City is replacing the old, incorrect plaque with a more factually accurate one and installing an art piece in that location. The actual site of the Bruces’ resort was on the strand between 26th and 27th, where there is now a plaque with detailed, accurate history installed by the County but written by the City’s Bruce’s Beach History Advisory Board. There’s nothing suspect going on. You can follow the Art in Public Places Committee – Bruce’s Beach on the city’s website. Their last meeting was Nov. 10. https://www.manhattanbeach.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/73571/35
The plan is to fix water damage to the sign only. It will be back soon.
There’s no visible water damage on the base.