Homestead in Miami-Dade County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Two Parks, Divided

— Biscayne National Park —

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, March 17, 2024

1. Two Parks, Divided Marker

Inscription. On November 13, 1955 a segregated beach called Homestead Bayfront North was opened where you stand today. The park was created as the result of many "wade-ins;" public protests for Black Americans to be granted access to the waterfront. With the creation of this park, people with African heritage gained some access to Biscayne Bay, but separately from their white counterparts at Homestead Bayfront Park.

Despite the happy sights and sounds of a typical day at the beach, there was a palpable tension felt from the other park just to the south.

A miles-long canal, patrolled by police, acted as physical barrier between two roads, two parks, and two groups of Americans. When the Civil Rights Act of 1964 brought legal segregation and the Jim Crow era to an end, Homestead Bayfront North was closed. Visitors and some employees shifted to the newly integrated Homestead Bayfront Park, which is still a county park today.

This site lay fallow for years until the creation of Biscayne National Monument in 1968. Since then, people from across the United States and around the world have visited and recreated here as equals. Though the site is now unrecognizable as a segregated beach, we do our best to remember the history we share.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department

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of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is November 13, 1955.

Location. 25° 27.858′ N, 80° 20.058′ W. Marker is in Homestead, Florida, in Miami-Dade County. Marker can be reached from Southwest 328th Street, 2.8 miles east of Southwest 117th Avenue when traveling east. Located behind the Dante Fascell Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9700 SW 328th St, Homestead FL 33033, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Jones Family of Biscayne (here, next to this marker); Ring the Biscayne Channel Sea Bell! (a few steps from this marker); A Sudden Squall (a few steps from this marker); HMS Fowey Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Hurricane Andrew (within shouting distance of this marker); The Edge of "Progress" / Al Margen del "Progreso" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Edge of Discovery / Margen del Descubrimiento (approx. 0.2 miles away); Coral Castle (approx. 7.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Homestead.

Also see . . . Biscayne National Park. National Park Service (Submitted on May 1, 2024.)

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, March 17, 2024

2. Two Parks, Divided Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 42 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.