Bay Highlands was established as a community in 1956. It is surrounded by water on three sides by Oyster Harbor Creek and Black Walnut Creek. On the east it abuts the towns of Highland Beach and Venice Beach.
Highland Beach was purchased by the family of Frederic Douglass in the 1890's and served as a resort for Black Americans who were denied public access to a beach. When Bay Highlands was subdivided in 1956, the streets and parks within the community were named for prominent black Americans.
Click on a street/park name to read about the notable African American for which it was named:
