Dania Beach in Broward County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Colored Beach at John U. Lloyd State Park
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, September 11, 2018
1. Colored Beach at John U. Lloyd State Park Marker
Inscription.
Colored Beach at John U. Lloyd State Park. . African Americans living in South Florida in the earlier part of the 20th century drove from as far away as Palm Beach and Miami to use Fort Lauderdale’s beaches, but met with significant resistance from oceanfront property owners. On May 14, 1946, a delegation from the Negro Professional and Business Men’s League, Inc., petitioned the Board of County Commissioners “seeking a public bathing beach for colored people in Broward County.” In 1954, the county finally acquired a barrier island site, designated it for segregation, and promised to make the beach accessible, but a road was never built. In response, Eula Johnson, Dr. Von D. Mizell and many others led a series of protest wade-ins on all-white public beaches. In July 1962, the City of Fort Lauderdale requested an injunction to end the wade-ins. The court disagreed with the municipality’s position and entered an order in favor of defendants, thus launching a larger civil rights movement that soon brought integration to local schools. John U. Lloyd, the county attorney at the time of these landmark cases, is the namesake of this state park. Unrecognized, however, are our local black leaders, whose historic actions forever changed the landscape.
African Americans living in South Florida in the earlier part of the 20th century drove from as far away as Palm Beach and Miami to use Fort Lauderdale’s beaches, but met with significant resistance from oceanfront property owners. On May 14, 1946, a delegation from the Negro Professional and Business Men’s League, Inc., petitioned the Board of County Commissioners “seeking a public bathing beach for colored people in Broward County.” In 1954, the county finally acquired a barrier island site, designated it for segregation, and promised to make the beach accessible, but a road was never built. In response, Eula Johnson, Dr. Von D. Mizell and many others led a series of protest wade-ins on all-white public beaches. In July 1962, the City of Fort Lauderdale requested an injunction to end the wade-ins. The court disagreed with the municipality’s position and entered an order in favor of defendants, thus launching a larger civil rights movement that soon brought integration to local schools. John U. Lloyd, the county attorney at the time of these landmark cases, is the namesake of this state park. Unrecognized, however, are our local black leaders, whose historic actions forever changed the landscape.
Erected 2008 by The Florida State Parks System and the Florida Department of State
Location. 26° 4.907′ N, 80° 6.617′ W. Marker is in Dania Beach, Florida, in Broward County. Marker can be reached from North Ocean Drive, 2 miles north of State Road A1A. Located near the 'Manatee' pavilion in the former John U. Lloyd State Park...now known as Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6503 North Ocean Drive, Dania FL 33004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Colored Beach at John U. Lloyd State Park Marker and immediate area
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, September 11, 2018
3. Colored Beach at John U. Lloyd State Park Marker and wider shot of area. The Atlantic is to the left
Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 832 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 16, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
