Denied Entry—So He Built America's First Black Resort In 1892, Major Charles Douglass (son of Frederick Douglass and Civil War veteran of the 54th Massachusetts) and his wife Laura were denied entry to a Maryland restaurant. His response? He bought 40 acres of beachfront property for $5,000 and founded Highland Beach in 1893—America's first African American-owned beach resort. He sold lots to Black America's elite including a U.S. Senator, Congressman, Governor, and the first Black judge in D.C.