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Whites-only beach Miller Park, Bloomington, July 1940

From the 1910s into the 1950s, there were racially segregated beaches at Miller Park. The much larger and much nicer beach shown here was set aside for white residents. The black beach was located in the lagoon-like part of the lake beyond the arched stone bridge seen in the distance. African Americans were also denied access to the spacious bathhouse next to the “white” beach.

Bill Kemp

Bill Kemp

Bill Kemp is the Librarian at the McLean County Museum of History

Comments

Raven Harris4/16/20 7:28pm

Hello Bill,

Can you tell me if there were any signs posted permanently such as days, hours and times at the Black beach from 1910s into the 1950s showing when they were open or closed.

Thank You

Ray Fenton6/08/20 7:55pm

I remember swimming here. For some strange reason not many seem to remember the segregation and racist hiring practices at many businesses well into the 1960s.

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