Missouri Avenue Beach
Chicken Bone Beach was a racially segregated section of the Atlantic Ocean beach at Atlantic City, New Jersey (between Missouri and Mississippi Avenues[1]) known for attracting many African Americans. It was given this name by the locals due to the volume of chicken bones found in this segregated area during regular clean ups.[2]
Background
Blacks and whites lived in the area side by side with few problems after the American Civil War.[3] It wasn't until 1900 that the beach became segregated, due in part to pressures by local businesses. It remained a blacks only beach until the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.[4]
While there were no signs nor laws prohibiting blacks from enjoying the entirety of the beach, the segregation was rigidly enforced by local authorities or more commonly, white beachgoers.[2] The Atlantic City Beach Patrol was officially desegregated, but its black members were in practice consigned to Chicken Bone Beach.[5]
References
- ^ Stansfield, Charles A. (2004). Vacationing on the Jersey Shore: Guide to the Beach Resorts: Past and Present. Stackpole. p. 88. ISBN 9780811729703.
- ^ a b Hopper, Dale. "Our History: Black History". ChickenBoneBeach.org. Retrieved 21 Feb 2016.
- ^ https://www.nj.com/atlantic/2019/07/nj-beach-was-the-only-one-that-allowed-black-tourists-but-they-made-it-a-hip-place-to-be.html
- ^ Stephens, Ronald J. "Chicken Bone Beach, Atlantic City, New Jersey (1900- )". BlackPast.org. Retrieved 21 Feb 2016.
- ^ Cunningham, John T.; Cole, Kenneth D. (2000). Atlantic City. Arcadia. p. 50. ISBN 9780738504261.
External links
- Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation at chickenbonebeach.org
39°21′15″N 74°26′10″W / 39.3541°N 74.4362°W
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