American Beach, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
American Beach Historic District
|
|
Lewis House - May 2019
|
|
 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Roughly bounded by Gregg, Lewis, Leonard, Main and James Sts., and Ocean Blvd., American Beach, Florida |
|---|---|
| Area | 40 acres (16 ha) |
| Built | 1935 |
| Architect | Patterson, George; et al. |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Frame and masonry vernacular |
| NRHP reference No. | 01001532 |
| Added to NRHP | January 28, 2002 |
American Beach is a special historic beach community in northeastern Florida. It was a popular vacation spot for African Americans. You can find it north of Jacksonville on Amelia Island in Nassau County.
During a time called segregation, many public places like beaches were separated. This meant African Americans could not use the same beaches as white people. To create a welcoming place, Abraham Lincoln Lewis founded American Beach. He was Florida's first black millionaire and led the Afro-American Life Insurance Company. American Beach became a resort where African Americans could relax and have fun. Everyone was welcome there.
Today, American Beach includes the American Beach Historic District. This area is recognized as a historic district. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002 because of its important history.
Contents
History of American Beach
American Beach was started in 1935 by Abraham Lincoln Lewis and his Afro-American Life Insurance Company. A. L. Lewis was a very important person. He helped start the insurance company in 1901. Even with little formal education, he became a world traveler and a generous person. He was the first African-American millionaire in Florida.
Many insurance companies at the time would not insure Black Americans. So, A. L. Lewis's company helped many people and became very successful. With his wealth, A. L. Lewis created places for Black Americans to enjoy. These included the Lincoln Golf & Country Club and, of course, American Beach.
A Place for Relaxation and Fun
Throughout the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, American Beach was a busy place. Families, church groups, and children spent their summers there. The beach resort covered over 216 acres. It was a place where African Americans could enjoy "Recreation and Relaxation Without Humiliation."
American Beach had hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs. There were also homes and other businesses. It became known as "The Negro Ocean Playground." This name showed it was a special place for fun and peace.
Famous Visitors and Challenges
Many famous people visited American Beach during its popular years. These included folklorist Zora Neale Hurston and musicians like Cab Calloway and Ray Charles. Sports stars like Hank Aaron and Joe Louis also came. Actors Ossie Davis and Sherman Hemsley were visitors too.
In 1964, a big storm called Hurricane Dora hit American Beach hard. Many homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed. Later that year, the Civil Rights Act was passed. This law made it illegal to separate people by race in public places. This meant all beaches in Florida became open to everyone. Because of this, American Beach was no longer the only option for African Americans. Many people from Jacksonville started going to beaches closer to their homes.
Saving American Beach's History
A. L. Lewis's granddaughter, MaVynee Betsch, was known as the Beach Lady. She returned to American Beach in 1977. She wanted to protect it from being sold and developed. MaVynee Betsch worked hard to keep American Beach special. She wanted it to be a reminder of how Black Americans overcame challenges during the Jim Crow era.
In 2001, American Beach was listed as a historic site. This helped protect its important past. In 2003, a company bought a large sand dune called Nana Dune. They then gave it to the National Park Service for protection. MaVynee Betsch planted trees and gave tours. She worked to raise awareness until she passed away in 2005.
The American Beach Museum opened in 2014. It is called "The A. L. Lewis Museum." It honors A. L. Lewis and the history of American Beach. Opening this museum was a dream of MaVynee Betsch.
American Beach Historic District
The American Beach Historic District is a special area within American Beach. It covers about 40 acres. This district includes 67 historic buildings and one other structure. It is roughly located around Gregg, Lewis, Leonard, Main, and James Streets, and Ocean Boulevard. On January 28, 2002, this district was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as a place of national historical importance.
Fictional portrayals
- Sunshine State, a film directed by John Sayles in 2002.
Gallery
-
Ervin's Rest - May 2019
-
Hippard House - May 2019
-
American Beach Historic Marker
-
Nana Dune, named after the Beach Lady
-
Antique Sign
-
