The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to return the land to the family of the owners, Charles and Willa Bruce.
Known as Bruce’s Beach, the resort had offered black families a place to enjoy California life and was a labor of love for the couple. They bought the land in 1912 for $ 1,225 and built several facilities, including a cafeteria and locker rooms.
But the harassment of white neighbors and the Ku Klux Klan shattered their dreams.
The final blow came in 1924 when the city took ownership of eminent domain and paid the couple a fraction of what they demanded. The city wanted the land for a park.
The property, which is now estimated to be worth $ 20 million, was moved to Los Angeles County in 1995. The houses directly next to the property are priced at about $ 7 million each.
Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that would allow the county to return beachfront property to its descendants.
The new law was drafted by Senator Steve Bradford, who is part of the state’s newly formed repair working group.
“So are the repairs,” Bradford said, insisting the county is not giving anything to the Bruce family, but simply returning their stolen property.
Tuesday’s vote ended a proposal by Holly Mitchell, chair of the county board of supervisors, to return the stretch of land that is now a park with a lawn and lifeguard facility.
“We are not returning this land; we are returning it to its rightful owners,” said Mitchell, who described it as a “historic moment for our county.”
The vote described plans to vacate the beachfront property to the Bruce family. County officials will rent the property to the Bruces under a 24-month lease for a total of $ 413,000 annually to maintain the facility.
LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who worked on the motion with Mitchell, held back tears as she told the board, “This is going to be one of the most important things I’ve ever done.”
The decision was a two-year effort by the grassroots movement, Justice for Bruce’s Beach.
Kavon Ward, founder of Justice for Bruce’s Beach, told CNN that Tuesday’s decision was the fulfillment of her dream of seeing the land return.
“I feel a little peace. I feel joy. I feel honored for the highest to use me as a ship to help make this happen, to be the catalyst for this to happen,” he said.
CNN’s Stephanie Elam, Anna-Maja Rappard and Camila Moreno-Lizarazo contributed to this report.