Former Local Recounts Husband's View Of Racism In Manhattan Beach

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA —

Some eyewitness history on Bruce's Beach.

As someone who was a resident of Manhattan Beach for 26 years and married to a life-time resident who lived thru the eminent domain issue with Bruce's Beach, I remember my husband telling me the story.

He told me Manhattan Beach was very racist at that time with "whites only" signs. He recalled that the Black family living there was the only one in the neighborhood with a phone so all the neighbors used it.

The City wanted the Black family out so the City took the land.

My husband and his family lived at 2908 Manhattan Avenue from early 1900s to approximately 1999 or so when the property was sold.

His family had immigrated from Mexico at the invitation of the Los Angeles Presbytery, to Los Angeles. His grandfather became the minister of the first Hispanic Presbyterian church in Los Angeles. (My husband was born in Los Angeles. Other children immigrating from Mexico became naturalized citizens and highly educated.)

Living in Manhattan Beach during this racist time, after what happened to the Bruce's, he told me his family laid low. They were afraid being the only Hispanic family in the community they could become targets, too.

I suspect the only reason they weren't targeted was because the family name was French (Falcon... accent on the O). Being of Castilian and French ancestry, they looked more European.

My husband was part of the class that opened Grand View Elementary when it opened. The family spoke French, Spanish and English in the home.

The whites' only issue affected my husband so much that when our child entered school in Manhattan Beach, he would not let our child be declared Hispanic when it was asked for nationality. He had experienced first hand the trauma of racism in Manhattan Beach.

Having lived in Manhattan Beach 26 years starting in 1967, I remember even then, when an occasional Black would be seen on Manhattan Avenue, ears would perk up.

Just wanted to share the history my husband of 26 years shared with me. He and his family, being Hispanic, lived through it. He has since passed and I no longer reside in Manhattan Beach.

Just as a matter of curiosity... he told me his grandmother had the opportunity to purchase Strand property for $200 a lot and couldn't afford it. She had been widowed with children during the depression.

Jan Dennis, former Mayor, wrote a book "Walk Beside The Sea" where I believe there are photos of "whites only" signs. The Historical Society used to have her book.

At the time a decision was being discussed about the Beach Cottage, whether it should be torn down or saved, I addressed the City Council in favor of keeping the cottage because of its historical significance.

Hope you find his information helpful. I would attend a City Council meeting to share the history with other interested residents, however, I'm not familiar with Zoom and you now have my husband's family's side of the story as told to me.

Sincerely,

Sandy L. Falcon
Husband: William P. J. Falcon
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