Fascinating Photos of Life at Orchard Beach in the 1930s

Orchard Beach, located in the Bronx, New York City, was created in the 1930s as part of a larger project to develop parkland in the Bronx. The beach was built by filling in part of Pelham Bay with sand, and was designed to provide residents of the Bronx with a place to swim, sunbathe, and enjoy other beach activities.

The beach was officially opened in 1936, and it quickly became a popular destination for residents of the Bronx and other parts of New York City. The beach was about a mile long and featured a large, man-made lagoon, which was used for swimming and boating. There was also a boardwalk, which ran along the beach and was lined with concessions, restaurants, and other attractions.

In the 1930s, Orchard Beach was considered a major achievement in urban planning and an example of how the city could create recreational spaces for its citizens. The beach was part of the larger development of the Pelham Bay Park, which was one of the largest urban parks in the United States and it was designed to provide a range of recreational opportunities for residents of the Bronx.

During this time, the beach was a major attraction for residents of the Bronx, as well as visitors from other parts of the city. The beach was well-maintained and it was considered a clean and safe place to swim. The beach also had a large number of lifeguards on duty, which helped to ensure the safety of swimmers.

The beach also had a large number of concessions, which sold food and beverages, as well as beach items like towels and umbrellas. There were also other attractions, such as a bandstand, where concerts were held, and a playground, which was popular with children.

The beach was also a popular destination for people of color, as it was one of the few places where they were allowed to swim and sunbathe. It was also a place where people of different ethnicities, races and socioeconomic backgrounds could come together and enjoy the beach together, during a time of racial segregation.

#1 Orchard Beach Catering Company, Orchard Beach, Bronx, 1930s

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#2 Orchard Beach Catering Company, Orchard Beach, Bronx, 1930s

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#3 Orchard Beach Catering Company, Orchard Beach, Bronx, 1930s

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#4 Orchard Beach Catering Company, 1930s

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#9 Orchard Beach Catering Company, 1930s

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#10 Orchard Beach, Bronx.

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#39 Orchard Beach, Bronx.

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#40 A warm day in July at Orchard Beach near City Island in the Bronx, 1938

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#41 Thomas Smith trying to get in the Airplane At Orchard Beach, 1938

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#42 Orchard Beach Catering Corp., Orchard Beach, Bronx.

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#43 Orchard Beach Catering Corp., Orchard Beach, Bronx.

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#44 Orchard Beach Catering Corp., Orchard Beach, Bronx.

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#45 Orchard Beach Catering Corp., Orchard Beach, Bronx.

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#46 Orchard Beach Catering Corp., Orchard Beach, Bronx.

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#47 Orchard Beach Catering Corp., Orchard Beach, Bronx.

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#48 Orchard Beach Catering Corp., Orchard Beach, Bronx.

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#49 Schoolgirls from the Orchard Junior Girls School, Hackney, enjoy the novelty of an outdoor lesson on the sands at Broadstairs where they are holidaying on a school journey.

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#50 A class of girls from the Orchard Junior Girls School, Hackney, London, enjoying the novelty of art lessons on the beach at Broadstairs.

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