By Martha Waldron, Assistant Administrator, Maryland Heritage Areas Program
Joy, Resilience, and Community on the Chesapeake
Less than one mile from Annapolis City Dock, as the crow flies, sits a 5-acre waterfront parcel known as Elktonia Beach: the last remnant of the Chesapeake Bay vacation resorts that catered exclusively to Black families in the Mid-Atlantic region between the 1930s and the 1970s. Located at the mouth of the Severn River, Elktonia Beach and neighboring Carr’s and Sparrow’s Beaches were privately owned and operated by sisters, Elizabeth Carr Smith and Florence Carr Sparrow. Equipped with a handful of cabins and small motels, ball fields, a carnival, a pavilion, and food stands, these destinations were the heart of entertainment and recreation throughout the mid-Atlantic region for Black families who were otherwise prohibited from visiting beaches along the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coast. The origins of “The Beaches” trace back to 1902 when Frederick Carr, a formerly enslaved man, purchased 180-acres of farmland on the Annapolis Neck Peninsula (University of Maryland, Baltimore County).
Woman Sunbathing on Carr’s Beach, c. 1950-1955, The Annapolis I Remember Collection, MSA SC 2140-1-81 (Maryland State Archives)
Carr’s Beach was a popular stop on the Chitlin’ Circuit, a network of safe entertainment venues for Black performers during the Jim Crow era, and hosted numerous musical acts including Chuck Berry, Billie Holiday, and Cab Calloway, drawing thousands of fans (Powell). The venue often served as the last stop for the entertainers who played the Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C., and/or the Baltimore Royal Theatre before traveling south (Stephens).
After providing a safe haven for recreation and entertainment for four decades, The Beaches closed in 1974. Luxury waterfront townhomes were built in subsequent years.
Carr’s Beach, Crowd of teenagers watching the broadcast on WANN, August 1956, Baden, Thomas R. Jr., The Annapolis I Remember Collection, MSA SC 2140-1-154 (Maryland State Archives)
Preserving the Legacy of The Beaches
For nearly 20 years, the Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation, under the leadership of Mr. Vincent Leggett, fought to save the remaining five acres of Elktonia Beach, from development. The “Save Elktonia Beach” campaign’s goal was to preserve this piece of local and regional Black history for public access.
After years of advocacy and fundraising, an agreement was reached in 2022 between the City of Annapolis, Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation, Chesapeake Conservancy, and the State of Maryland, in collaboration with The Conservation Fund, to acquire the property with a combination of federal, state, and city Program Open Space funds. Additional backing came from Governor Larry Hogan and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, while U.S. Senator Ben Cardin secured federal appropriations. Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation also received a Parks & Playgrounds Infrastructure Grant, thanks to the efforts of State Senator Sarah Elfreth. In August 2022, a signing ceremony was held to transfer the property to the City of Annapolis, officially establishing a new city park, Elktonia-Carr’s Beach Heritage Park, with beach access.
Visitors are welcome at Elktonia-Carr’s Beach Heritage Park from dawn to dusk. Access to the beach is along a quarter mile interpretive walking path across the street from the Annapolis Maritime Museum Park Campus located at 7300 Edgewood Road, Annapolis MD.
Elktonia-Carr’s Beach Heritage Park Expansion and Vision
The “Moore Property” acquisition celebration event with partner organizations. (Yieldcamp, Ltd.)
In July 2023, the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) awarded a $90,000 grant to the Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation to support the acquisition of the privately-owned cottage immediately adjacent to Elktonia Beach, expanding the footprint of the existing park. Commonly referred to as the “Moore Property,” the 0.67-acre parcel belonged to Parlett L. Moore, an educator and former president of Coppin State University.
Eventually, this structure will be converted into an interpretive center and headquarters for Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation. In the meantime, a master plan – funded by a FY24 MHAA grant – for the future public park is underway. The Blacks of the Chesapeake is also a recipient of a FY25 MHAA grant to develop interpretation and exhibitions at the park.
The City of Annapolis is encouraging community input in the development of the park. A newsletter sign up is available to fill out on their website to stay up to date on upcoming focus groups and design forums.
Elktonia-Carr’s Beach Heritage Park today. The “Moore Property” can be seen on the right-side of this photograph and aforementioned luxury developments can be seen on the left. (City of Annapolis)
Remembering Vincent Leggett
Mr. Leggett passed away in November of 2024, sending a shockwave through the preservation and cultural heritage sector in Maryland. His impact as an advocate for the Chesapeake Bay’s history, culture, and communities is evident in the numerous statements and reflections from those whose lives he touched, including the National Park Service, Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley, Chesapeake Conservancy, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. In addition to being an influential conservationist, Vince was a talented educator, orator, lecturer, author, and cultural historian whose determination, work ethic, and charisma will long be admired and missed. Vince’s legacy will be forever preserved at Elktonia-Carr’s Beach Heritage Park.
Sources
Powell, A. (2024, February). Remembering Carr’s Beach: The Most Popular African American Beach and Music Venue on the Chesapeake. Visitannapolis.org; Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference & Visitors Bureau. https://www.visitannapolis.org/blog/stories/post/remembering-carrs-beach-the-most-popular-african-american-beach-and-music-venue-on-the-chesapeake/
Stephens, R. J., & Stephens, R. J. (2014, April 23). Carr and Sparrow’s Beach, Annapolis, Maryland (1926-1974). Blackpast.org. https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/carr-and-sparrow-s-beach-annapolis-maryland-1926-1974/
University of Maryland, Baltimore County: Interdisciplinary CoLab. Carr’s and Sparrow’s Beaches. (2023, December 22). Leisureasresistance.org. https://leisureasresistance.org/carrs-and-sparrows-beaches/
