Land Seized From Black Couple A Century Ago May Be Returned

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA—Beachfront property that was seized from a Black family living and running a business in Manhattan Beach 97 years ago may be returned to the family's descendants.

The City used eminent domain in 1924 to force Willa and Charles Bruce off the land on which they lived and ran a resort for Black families, according to a report from ABC7.

The couple was among the first Black landowners in the city, the report says.

The land, which is located on Highland Avenue at 27th Street, is currently owned by Los Angeles County and houses the county's lifeguard headquarters and training center.

L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn told ABC7 she was shocked by the racial injustice and is now exploring options on how to do what's right.

"I'm considering, first of all, giving the property back to the Bruce family," she said. "I think that would be the one act that would really be justice for that family. I wanted the county of Los Angeles to be a part of righting this terrible wrong."

A Manhattan Beach city task force will send new recommendations to the City Council that includes a resolution of apology and the creation of a commemorative plaque with text that would prominently acknowledge the pioneering Bruce family instead of the original white landowner, according to the report.

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