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Historic American Beach

Since 1935, tiny American Beach has weathered hurricanes, segregation, economic downturns, and developers to provide a vacation haven for many African-American families.

Courtesy of Marsha Phetts

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Vacation Home

After Abraham Lincoln Lewis and six others invested in this tiny strip of land on the Atlantic, houses began popping up in the community. The purchase and development of American Beach made it possible for black families to enjoy vacations on the coast during the Jim Crow era. This photo was featured in a Smithsonian exhibit on segregated beaches.