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All the United States New Jersey Atlantic City Chicken Bone Beach

Chicken Bone Beach

Once forgotten, this strip of sand was a rare beachside haven for Black Americans in Atlantic City.

Atlantic City, New Jersey

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EB Savage
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Chicken Bone Beach.   e1savage / Atlas Obscura User
Chicken Bone Beach   blimpcaptain / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Chicken Bone Beach   blimpcaptain / Atlas Obscura User
Chicken Bone Beach.   e1savage / Atlas Obscura User
Chicken Bone Beach.   e1savage / Atlas Obscura User
Chicken Bone Beach.   e1savage / Atlas Obscura User
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About

People flock to the Atlantic City’s beaches to enjoy the sun, sand, and other splendors the city has to offer. But forgotten by many is Chicken Bone Beach, which opened in 1900 and was a segregated beach set aside for Black beachgoers.

In the mid-20th century, there was a rising Black middle class that wanted to participate in all the recreational activities the city offered. While there were many Black-centric nightlife options in Atlantic City during segregation, Chicken Bone Beach was a rare haven for families seeking some oceanside relief from the heat.

When Chicken Bone Beach was segregated, many of the nearby restaurants refused to serve Black customers. As such, families would have to pack their own picnic lunches. Their leftovers would litter the beach, scattered by animals and the elements. The name Chicken Bone Beach arose from the large amounts of leftover bones found in the sand.

In 1964, The Civil Rights Act officially desegregated the United States, including the beaches in Atlantic City. Chicken Bone Beach, and its history, became nearly forgotten until a graduate student uncovered information about it while studying Atlantic City as a tourist destination for Black families.

Today, the beach is nearly indistinguishable from others stretching along the coastline. But you can find a memorial plaque along the boardwalk. There are jazz concerts in the area during certain times of the year, and the Chicken Bone Beach Historical Society works hard to make sure the beach, its history, and the history of segregation in Atlantic City aren’t forgotten.

Related Tags

Beaches Racism African American Black History Civil Rights Plaques

Know Before You Go

There is no parking on the boardwalk. You have to park and walk to the boardwalk. For people with mobility problems there are trolleys that run on the boardwalk as well as bicycle carts you can hire.

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Added By

e1savage

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Collector of Experiences, blimpcaptain

  • Collector of Experiences
  • blimpcaptain

Published

April 15, 2019

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  • https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/chicken-bone-beach-atlantic-city-new-jersey-1900/
  • http://www.atlanticcitynj.com/explore/attractions/details.aspx?id=79
Chicken Bone Beach
2100 Boardwalk
Atlantic City, New Jersey, 08401
United States
39.353891, -74.435117
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