Sparrow's Beach

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

Frederick Carr and Mary Wells Carr 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 other daughter, Florence Carr Sparrow (1890-1989), established neighboring Sparrow's Beach on the land in 1931.[4][5][6]

Sparrow's Beach operated for about forty years.[7]

Legacy and preservation
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.[8]

The part of the site will be preserved for use as a public park.[9]

References
  1. "Carr and Sparrow's Beach, Annapolis, Maryland (1926-1974) •". 2014-04-23. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  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. Basara, Mindy (2022-08-12). "Marylanders cherish fame, memories of Carr's, Sparrow's beaches". WBAL. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  8. "Signing Ceremony to Acquire Elktonia/Carr's Beach to City to Take Place on August 12". The Conservation Fund. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
  9. "Elktonia-Carr's Beach preserved from development, given to Annapolis". WMAR 2 News Baltimore. 2022-08-12. Retrieved 2023-02-04.

38.95865°N 76.47251°W / 38.95865; -76.47251

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