History of Columbia Beach

In 1940, a group of African American families began building summer homes in the area and established their new community as Columbia Beach in 1941. These families, like so many others who flocked to Shady Side at that time, wanted a waterside retreat from their homes in nearby Washington and Baltimore.

 

Despite their status as doctors, lawyers, and government executives, these families were barred from other communities in the area because of the racial segregation that persisted in the nation at that time. Other communities on the western shore of the Bay, including Arundel on the Bay and Highland Beach, share a similar history.

 

For many years beginning in the 1940s, Columbia Beach held boating regattas that attracted participants from nearby communities as well as many other Mid-Atlantic States. Trophies were presented to the winners of the races. Other ceremonies included parades and the annual crowning of Miss Columbia Beach.

 

While some of the early summer cottages remain, many still owned by the original families, Columbia Beach today is a mix of year-round residences and vacation homes. Expanded and updated original homes sit side-by-side with new multi-story construction. Residents are racially diverse and include young working families, retirees from Baltimore and Washington, and those who commute or telecommute to jobs near and far.

 

The street names, which are a mix of names of the community’s founding families and of significant names in African American history, are a daily reminder of the roots of Columbia Beach. 

History
In 1940, a group of African American families began building summer homes in
the
area and established their new community as Columbia Beach in 1941. These
families, like so many others who flocked to Shady Side at that time, wanted a
waterside retreat from their homes in nearby Washington and Baltimore.
Despite their status as doctors, lawyers, and government executives, thes
e families
were barred from other communities in the area because of the rampant
racial
segregation that characterized the nation at that time. Other communities on the
western shore of the Bay, including Arundel on the Bay and Highland Beach,
share a
similar history.
For many years beginning in the 1940s, Columbia Beach held boating regatta
s that
attracted participants from nearby communities as well as many other Mid-At
lantic
States. Trophies were presented to the winners of the races. Other ceremoni
es
included parades and the annual crowning of Miss Columbia Beach.
While some of the early summer cottages remain, many still owned by the
original
families, Columbia Beach today is a mix of year-round residences and v
acation
homes
.
Expanded and updated original homes sit side-
by
-side with new multi-story
construction. Residents are racially diverse and include young working familie
s,
retirees from Baltimore and Washington, and those who commute or telecomm
ute
to jobs near and far.
The street names, which are a mix of names of the community
s founding families
and of significant names in African American history, are a daily reminder of the
roots of Columbia Beach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QUICK LINKS

 

Gate Access

 

Security

 

Facilities

 

Dog Policy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Print | Sitemap
© Columbia Beach Citizens Improvement Association; CBCIA, PO Box 480, Shady Side, MD 20764