Also
known as Eureka Villa, in the 1920s Val Verde became one of the
few parks open to African Americans during the period of Jim Crow.
Los Angeles initially attracted African Americans because of the
opportunities that it afforded Black people - partly because there
were other nonwhite groups who incurred the brunt of white racism.
However, as time went on, discrimination against African Americans
increased and they were barred from most public beaches, resorts
and parks. When in 1922 Anglo American philanthropist Laura Senior
donated the land be used as an outdoor area for African Americans,
Val Verde developed into a prominent resort, featuring such guests
as Della Reese, Count Basie and Duke Ellington. The park fell out
of favor after the Civil Rights Movement when most discriminatory
barriers were dropped against African Americans, allowing them to
go to other recreational areas. |
