After a protracted legal process that led to the historic return of pristine Manhattan Beach coastal property to a Black family that had the land stripped away nearly a century ago, the family has decided to sell the parcel back to the county for $20 million, the county confirmed today.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a state grant deed modification that clears the way for the county to transfer Bruce’s Beach — a piece of Manhattan Beach coastline stripped away from its Black owners nearly a century ago — to the descendants of Willa and
Charles Bruce.
The dialogue occurred on Thursday, September 30, following Newsom’s signing of legislation to return Bruce’s Beach to the descendants of the original owners of the resort. Brooks met with the governor on the Bruce family property in Manhattan Beach and questioned him on reparations, the recent gubernatorial recall and his future goals.
The story behind Bruce’s Beach tells a narrative of Black-ownership in America. Original property owners Charles and Willa Bruce had their land seized by the City of Manhattan Beach, California. The local government managed the rights to the land for almost 100 years.
Today, SB 796, a bill championed by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn which would allow Los Angeles County to return the Bruce’s Beach property to the descendants of Willa and Charles Bruce, cleared another legislative hurdle in Sacramento.