CBS News Manhattan Beach property seized from Black family more than a century ago may be returned Manhattan Beach is a favorite for seeking a spot on the sand or a stroll on the strand - where homes can sell for upwards of $20 million. But it looked a lot more vacant in 1912 when Willa and Charles Bruce bought an ocean-view lot for around $1,200. They were among the city's first Black landowners. Duane Shepard, a family historian for the Bruces, said a Los Angeles County lifeguard headquarters now stands where Willa built "Bruce's Lodge." It became a popular destination for the Black community when segregation kept them off most beaches.