Before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 took effect, African Americans had a hard time finding public attractions. But Silver Springs Paradise Park changed everything.
Paradise Park was just one of few public beaches where African Americans were allowed to go throughout the 1950s and 60s. The beach served as a popular spot for boat rides, beauty contest and tours.
Tallahassee Community College Fine Art Gallery is displaying it’s Remembering Paradise Park exhibit.
TCC Professor Lu Vickers says during the time of “separate but equal” segregation went beyond restaurants and schools.
“Florida has a huge coastline and there are only a couple of places that African Americans can go swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, and that’s pretty shocking. I think these pictures show just the beauty of African Americans having fun with their families.”
The beachside park was shut down 50 years ago, but its history is still being discovered.
Tallahassee resident, Jeanette Young, says she’s surprised to learn about the location.
“A wealth of information that I was totally unaware of. As a child I visited silver springs, but I don’t remember going to Paradise Park,” said Young.
Silver Springs Paradise Park stayed open for 20 years before closing. The exhibit will be at TCC Fine Art Gallery until March 28th.
