Juneteenth and the Stories Behind Venice Beach
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in Texas learned they were free — two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It's a reminder that freedom was fought for, delayed, and won uphill.
Venice Beach carries and celebrates that history. Black surfers, artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs helped build this community while being barred from its beaches, its housing, and its institutions. Those barriers had names. One was redlining — the practice of drawing lines around Black neighborhoods so banks would deny them loans and families couldn't build wealth where they lived. It shaped cities across America, Los Angeles among them. They made culture here anyway, and much of what draws people to Venice today traces back to them.
The Redline is Venice Beach's only Black-owned beachfront hotel. This Juneteenth, we want to tell some of these stories.
Nick Gabaldón: Breaking Barriers in the Water
Long before surfing became a global phenomenon, Nick Gabaldón was helping redefine what was possible.
Born in Los Angeles in 1927, Gabaldón became the first documented surfer of African-American and Mexican-American descent in California's Santa Monica Bay. During an era of segregation, he taught himself to surf and often paddled 12 miles up the coast to Malibu to ride waves alongside other surfers.
His determination helped pave the way for greater diversity within surf culture and continues to inspire generations of surfers today.
Guests can explore Gabaldón's legacy through our Escape One-Bedroom Suite, which pays tribute to Venice Beach's deep connection to surf culture.
Arthur Reese & Irvin Tabor: Early Visionaries of Venice
Few people played a more important role in the early development of Venice than Arthur Reese and Irvin Tabor.
Arthur Reese, a designer, inventor, and entrepreneur from New Orleans, worked alongside Venice founder Abbot Kinney and became known as "The Wizard of Venice" for his creativity and innovation. His contributions helped shape the look and character of the city during its earliest years.
His cousin, Irvin Tabor, became one of Kinney's most trusted associates. Despite facing discriminatory housing restrictions, Tabor and his family remained committed to building opportunity and community in Venice.
Their stories remind us that the history of Venice Beach was built by people whose contributions often went unrecognized.
Our 12 Miles West Suite honors the imagination, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit that pioneers like Reese brought to Venice Beach.
Horace Tapscott: The Sound of Community
Jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader Horace Tapscott believed music could bring people together.
Through the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, Tapscott created opportunities for artists while using music to strengthen and uplift communities. His work became a powerful example of how creativity can inspire change.
The Beat By The Sea Studio Suite pays tribute to the artists, musicians, and cultural innovators who helped shape Los Angeles and Venice Beach.
Fred Eversley: Where Art Meets Innovation
Venice Beach has long been a home for creative thinkers, and few embody that spirit more than Fred Eversley.
A former engineering physicist turned artist, Eversley became known for groundbreaking sculptures that blend science, light, and imagination. His work challenged traditional artistic boundaries and helped establish Venice Beach as a place where creativity could thrive.
Eversley opened one of the first art studios in Venice Beach in the 1960s, helping shape the area's artistic identity for generations to come.
Today, we honor his innovative spirit through elements of our Escape One-Bedroom Suite.
Jataun Valentine: Preserving Community History
History doesn't preserve itself.
When the historic First Baptist Church of Venice faced an uncertain future, Jataun Valentine stepped forward to help protect a landmark that had served as a cornerstone of the African American community for generations.
Her advocacy helped secure the church's designation as a Historic-Cultural Monument in 2021, ensuring that future generations can continue to learn from and celebrate this important part of Venice Beach history.
Valentine's work reminds us that preserving history is just as important as creating it.
Preserving History for Future Generations
History isn't only found in museums or books. It's found in neighborhoods, landmarks, communities, and the stories that continue to be shared.
That's why preserving these stories matters.
From surfing and art to music, entrepreneurship, and historic preservation, these individuals helped leave a lasting mark on Venice Beach and the community we know today.
Their contributions continue to be felt throughout Venice Beach, and their stories deserve to be remembered.
A Legacy That Continues to Inspire
At The Redline, we believe hospitality can be about more than a place to stay.
Every visit to Venice Beach offers an opportunity to connect with the people, culture, and history that helped shape the neighborhood. Through our suites, artwork, and storytelling, we're proud to help preserve and share these stories with guests from around the world.
This Juneteenth, we invite you to learn more about the remarkable individuals whose legacy continues to inspire Venice Beach today.
Explore their stories. Celebrate their contributions. Help keep their legacy alive.
