ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — This Black History Month, we explore the Tampa Bay area’s history when it comes to beaches and who was allowed on them. One St. Pete woman says she remembers a time wading into waters meant for whites only and the changes that followed.

Betty Harden can still remember that trip she took with friends to St. Pete’s Spa Beach in 1958.

“My friends asked me to go to the beach with them, and that must have been in ’58,” she said. “When we passed Demen’s Landing, I thought, ‘Well, where are we going?’ And that’s when we arrived at Spa Beach.”

At the time most white sand beaches were meant for white beach goers only. Demen’s Landing was the beach for Black residents. But on this day, Harden and her friends tested the waters.

“I got out of the car, went to the sand and into the water, and I’m not sure how long we stayed out there. But when I came out of the water, I saw all the reporters and I guess the police were there too, but it was mainly I guess to keep us safe,” she said.

She still has a copy of the picture snapped of her and her friends that day on Spa Beach. After six black residents won a lawsuit in 1955, led by Dr. Fred Alsup, ruling that public beaches couldn’t be segregated. But Harden said what was true on paper didn’t always hold true in practice.

“The beach was closed as soon as we left. The mayor ordered them to close the beach,” Harden said.

The old pictures from the St. Pete Museum of History show one of several beach closures during that time to try and stop the desegregation of the beaches.

But that ship had sailed thanks to continued pressure and efforts from people like Harden and her friends.

After almost 70 years of walking around with this history, Harden said she wants to tell her story as much as she can while she still can. This month she was one of the people featured in the Woodson African American Museum’s speaker series called, At the Feet of the Elders. It’s a time for history makers to tell stories of rich Black history often forgotten.

Harden said Black History Month is a good reminder for people to not take anything for granted, especially considering the sacrifices made.

“That’s really a lovely kind of feeling and I’m glad that I have had that experience and encourage them to use the facilities and the accommodations that we have,” she said.

The inviting blue waters of the bay, an invitation now extended to all thanks to people like Harden.