Chicken Bone Beach

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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 presumably found in this segregated area during regular clean ups although by all accounts the reports were simply unfounded. [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[]

  1. ^ Stansfield, Charles A. (2004). Vacationing on the Jersey Shore: Guide to the Beach Resorts: Past and Present. Stackpole. p. 88. ISBN 9780811729703.
  2. ^ a b Hopper, Dale. "Our History: Black History". ChickenBoneBeach.org. Retrieved 21 Feb 2016.
  3. ^ "N.J. Beach was the only one that allowed Black tourists, but they made it a hip place to be". 13 July 2019.
  4. ^ Stephens, Ronald J. (12 February 2014). "Chicken Bone Beach, Atlantic City, New Jersey (1900- )". BlackPast.org. Retrieved 21 Feb 2016.
  5. ^ Cunningham, John T.; Cole, Kenneth D. (2000). Atlantic City. Arcadia. p. 50. ISBN 9780738504261.

External links[]

Coordinates: 39°21′15″N 74°26′10″W / 39.3541°N 74.4362°W / 39.3541; -74.4362


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