History of the Brazilian Court Hotel

Bright Williamson Johnson 1912 - 1996

Bright Williamson John- son was born in Colum- bia, South Carolina No- vember 12, 1912. His father, Thomas Milton Johnson, relocated with family to Miami, Florida in 1925. Miami was booming and Thomas heard the call. Bright attended Miami High School and worked nights as an usher at the Capitol Theater. After graduation he went to work at the McAllister Hotel as an elevator op-

1944 and left the service as a Sgt. Major in 1945. He then returned to the Brazilian Court for one winter and to the Bald Peak Colony Club in Lake Winnespasacke, New Hampshire for the following summer. Back at the Brazilian Court Hotel in 1946 he was asked by Elliott F. Bishop to stay on year round at the BC as resi-

dent manager. After Bishop ’ s retirement

Bright (second from right) at the Capitol Theater, 1932.

Bright was named General Manager and remained in that position until his semi - retirement in 1979. He remained on the hotel payroll as consultant. Bright ’ s 40 years at the Brazilian Court is probably a record for the hotel industry. Managers rarely last for more than five or ten years at most.

erator. The second day he was moved to bellman. After a year he was promoted to clerk at the front desk for a year. He then moved to the Hotel Good on Miami Beach where he worked as cashier, room clerk and even switchboard operator when needed. He worked seven days a week from 8 am to 8 pm. And when the night

His one regret was not buy- ing the Brazilian Court when it was offered to him in 1960. It was his second love after his wife Ruth Evelyn. But he never com- plained about passing - up the deal. Bright died December 9, 1996 at his Palm Beach home just across the street from the hotel he devoted much of his life to.

clerk or night auditor failed to show - up for work Bright would stay on all night. This is where he learned bookkeeping. After two years at the Good he worked four years at the Montauk Manor on Long Island as room clerk for the summers. He would return to Miami for the winter months at the Embassy Ho- tel. Having met Elliott F. Bish- op in Montauk, Bright went to work for him at the Bra- zilian Court in 1938. He was called to duty in the Army Airforce Transport Command in 1942.

Bright Williamson Johnson in his BC office. NOTE: Wolves desk pen set gift from W. C. Fields and “ I sold in credit … I sold in cash ” picture on wall.

Bright married August 25,

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