Sparrow's Beach was a beachfront resort on the Chesapeake Bay that catered to African American patrons during segregation in the American South.[1]
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
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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
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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]
References
edit- ^ "Carr and Sparrow's Beach, Annapolis, Maryland (1926-1974) •". 2014-04-23. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ a b "Remembering Carr's Beach". www.visitannapolis.org. 2021-03-26. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
- ^ Basara, Mindy (2022-08-12). "Marylanders cherish fame, memories of Carr's, Sparrow's beaches". WBAL. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
- ^ "Women in Black History | Annapolis, MD". www.annapolis.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Beaches Provide Refuge for Blacks During Jim Crow Era". The Washington Informer. 2020-03-04. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "Carr's and Sparrow's Beaches". leisureasresistance.org. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ a b "Elizabeth Carr Smith & Florence Carr Sparrow – The Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation". Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ Basara, Mindy (2022-08-12). "Marylanders cherish fame, memories of Carr's, Sparrow's beaches". WBAL. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ Bulletin, Bay (2022-08-17). "Historic Black Beaches of Annapolis Preserved as Park". Chesapeake Bay Magazine. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ "Signing Ceremony to Acquire Elktonia/Carr's Beach to City to Take Place on August 12". The Conservation Fund. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
- ^ "Elktonia-Carr's Beach preserved from development, given to Annapolis". WMAR 2 News Baltimore. 2022-08-12. Retrieved 2023-02-04.