Manhattan Beach was Florida’s first beach community for African Americans during segregation. Manhattan Beach was established by Henry Flagler and his Florida East Coast Railroad company around 1900, for the African American workers they employed.
The park flourished for many years. At its height the beach included amenities such as picnic pavilions, cottages, and an amusement park. It was superseded in the early 1940’s by Amelia Island’s American Beach.
Eventually the land was donated to the city by Winthrop Bancroft, who asked that the name be changed to Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park. Hanna was a teacher and author from Chicago, who moved to Florida and served on the board of Parks and Historical Places.
Following the Jacksonville Consolidation, the area became part of Jacksonville. The city purchased the surrounding property in the 1970’s during the administration of Mayor Hans Tanzler, expanding the park to its present size.