Bay Shore Beach

Coordinates: 37°3′17″N 76°17′8.9″W / 37.05472°N 76.285806°W / 37.05472; -76.285806

Bay Shore Beach was a beach that existed adjacent to Buckroe Beach in Hampton, Virginia in the 20th century. It was founded in 1898 by several African-American businessmen. The beach was one of the most popular resort and vacation destinations in the Mid-Atlantic region for African-Americans. In addition to standard beach activities, hotels, and restaurants, Bay Shore also had an amusement park. The beach was in its prime of popularity from 1898 until 1933 when a Hurricane devastated the coast. Both "sides" of the beach, (Bay Shore & Buckroe) were respectively rebuilt, however, Bay Shore may not have been built back to its former heights, although it continued to remain popular.

The beginnings of desegregation can be correlated to the decline in Bay Shore's popularity. This parallel is evident with other historically "black", "negro", or "colored" beaches around the nation such as American Beach of Florida, and Bruce Beach of Los Angeles (Manhattan Beach). Bay Shore beach ceased to exist by the early 1970s. Buckroe Beach, its white counterpart, continues to exist although its golden era ended with the upstart of Virginia Beach located in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Currently, the property that was once Bay Shore Beach has been privately developed. To various degrees at various points in recent times, Buckroe, Virginia residents have been resisting Hampton City Council attempts to sell Buckroe Beach to private developers.

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