Sparrow's Beach

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Sparrow's Beach was a beachfront resort on the Chesapeake Bay that catered to African American patrons during segregation in the American South. [1]

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Located just south of Annapolis, Maryland, Sparrow's Beach was established as a recreational area during the Jim Crow-era when African-Americans were denied entry into 'Whites-only' establishments. [2] Other nearby beachfront resorts used for this purpose included Carr's Beach, Elktonia Beach, Bembe Beach, Highland Beach, Venice Beach, Oyster Harbor, and Arundel-on-the-Bay. [2]

In August 2022, the City of Annapolis purchased what remains of Sparrow's Beach, Carr's Beach, and Elktonia Beach to preserve the land as a park. [3]

History

Image of Sparrow's Beach family entertainment. Amusement and picnic grounds, Sparrow's Beach, Inc., Annapolis, Maryland (86374).jpg
Image of Sparrow's Beach family entertainment.

Frederick Carr and Mary Wells Carr, Black Americans, purchased 180 acres of waterfront property on the Annapolis Neck peninsula in 1902. In 1926, they established a beachfront resort called Carr's Beach on the land. Their daughter, Elizabeth Carr Smith, operated Carr's Beach. Their younger daughter, Florence Carr Sparrow (1890-1989), established neighboring Sparrow's Beach on the land in 1931. [4] [5] [6] Whereas Carr's Beach was popular for swimming and fishing, Sparrow's Beach was better known for family entertainment and featured a carnival, ball park, and beauty contests. [7] Musicians Billie Holiday, Count Basie, and Sarah Vaughan among others regularly performed at the beach on weekends as part of the Chitlin' Circuit. [8] While many local Black residents frequented the beaches, visitors traveled from all over the East Coast and also Ohio to the west. [8] Sparrow's Beach operated for about forty years. [9]

In 1971, Anne Arundel County condemned over 35 acres of Sparrow's Beach, making way for the Annapolis Water Reclamation Facility and condominiums. [10]

Legacy and preservation

As of 2021, the luxury townhomes on Carr's Beach and Sparrow's Beach. Luxury waterfront townhomes in Maryland .jpeg
As of 2021, the luxury townhomes on Carr's Beach and Sparrow's Beach.

In August 2022, the City of Annapolis acquired five bay-front acres that included the remains of Carr's Beach, Sparrow's Beach, and Elktonia Beach. The acquisition was a result of collaborative efforts of the Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation, Chesapeake Conservancy, the City of Annapolis, the State of Maryland, and The Conservation Fund. [11]

Some of the acreage will be preserved for use as a public park. [12]

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Carr's Beach, founded in 1926, was a beachfront resort on the Chesapeake Bay that catered to African American patrons during segregation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African American resorts</span>

During the decades of segregation in the United States, African Americans established various resorts. The resorts were self-contained commercial establishments. Varying resort accommodations included rooms for rent, meals and fine food, cocktail bars, dancing, sporting facilities, and beaches. Also in some cases entire communities were known as resort areas for African Americans. The Negro Motorist Green Book helped guide African Americans to accommodating and safe places, including Idlewild, Michigan, which was among the most well known.

References

  1. ↑ "Carr and Sparrow's Beach, Annapolis, Maryland (1926-1974) •". 2014-04-23. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  2. 1 2 "Remembering Carr's Beach". www.visitannapolis.org. 2021-03-26. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
  3. ↑ Basara, Mindy (2022-08-12). "Marylanders cherish fame, memories of Carr's, Sparrow's beaches". WBAL. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
  4. ↑ "Women in Black History | Annapolis, MD". www.annapolis.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  5. ↑ Blackstone, Andrea; Andre (2022-03-17). "Historically Significant Black Beach in Annapolis will Become a City Park". The Baltimore Times Online Newspaper | Baltimore News. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  6. ↑ "Beaches Provide Refuge for Blacks During Jim Crow Era". The Washington Informer. 2020-03-04. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  7. ↑ "Carr's and Sparrow's Beaches". leisureasresistance.org. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
  8. 1 2 "Elizabeth Carr Smith & Florence Carr Sparrow – The Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation" . Retrieved 2024-10-05.
  9. ↑ Basara, Mindy (2022-08-12). "Marylanders cherish fame, memories of Carr's, Sparrow's beaches". WBAL. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  10. ↑ Bulletin, Bay (2022-08-17). "Historic Black Beaches of Annapolis Preserved as Park". Chesapeake Bay Magazine. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
  11. ↑ "Signing Ceremony to Acquire Elktonia/Carr's Beach to City to Take Place on August 12". The Conservation Fund. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
  12. ↑ "Elktonia-Carr's Beach preserved from development, given to Annapolis". WMAR 2 News Baltimore. 2022-08-12. Retrieved 2023-02-04.

38°57′31″N76°28′21″W / 38.95865°N 76.47251°W / 38.95865; -76.47251

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