John C. Beasley Park
John C. Beasley Park, formerly known as John Beasley Wayside Park, is a public beach area on Okaloosa Island in Florida. It was established as a state park to provide beach access for negroes during the era of segregation. After desegregation it was turned over to the Okaloosa County.[1] The park is named for John C. Beasley.[2] Fodor's reported the park had 2-dune walkovers, showers, parking, toilets, lifeguards, and picnic tables.[3]
A commemorative plaque was installed at the park in 2015. It was the only beach open to negroes in Okaloosa County until desegregation.[1]
In May 2020, The Northwest Florida Daily News published a photograph of the beach from the 1970s (#112)[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Freeman, Danielle (December 10, 2015). "Park Ranger Andrew Hill Commemorated At Beasley Park". wuwf.org. WUWF-FM 88.1. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
- ^ Barlow, Kari C. (December 10, 2014). "County committee pushing to recognize negro history at Beasley Park". nwfdailynews.com. Northwest Florida Daily News. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
- ^ Guides, Fodor's Travel (October 28, 2014). Fodor's Florida 2015. Fodor's Travel. ISBN 9780804142960 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Photos: VINTAGE That's the way, uh huh, uh huh, we liked Fort Walton Beach in the 1970s". Northwest Florida Daily News.