History of the Brazilian Court Hotel

A 1949 Palm Beach Post ad announced,

Palm Beach hotels to remain open to the public dur- ing the war years.

Thursday Nights For Informal Entertaining DINNER AT BRAZILIAN COURT HOTEL PALM BEACH TABLES ON THE CLOISTER, LOGIA, TERRACE, BAMBOO ROOM OR LUXURIANT TROPICAL PATIO RESERVATIONS 4121 DAILY Luncheon and Dinner, Loggia Terrace, Cloister Cocktail Lounge, Al Fresco In Patio RUSS HENDERSON ORCHESTRA DINNER MUSIC 6:30 TO 9:00.

During the war Palm Beach was in a strict “ black - out zone ”. All auto had to have headlights taped only allowing small beams of light to show. All homes and businesses had to have lights out or their win- dows shuddered at night. Since tires and fuel were hard to come by, many car owners put their cars in garages for the duration of the war. Any cars or even bicycles parked outside at night were a prime target for thieves. The beaches were patrolled by the Coast Guard on horseback from dusk to dawn. They searched for any indication of enemy landings from submarines. Ar- my tanks and artillery were placed near the inlet at the north end of Palm Beach. Civil patrols were also organized as lookouts. After the war the economy had a slow start - up re- turning to normal. The hotel business in Palm Beach was busier than ever with northerners eager to have their leisure time return. Bright Johnson, who had been in the Army/Airforce since November of 1942, was discharged on Febru- ary 17, 1946. He and a couple of friends rented a car and drove straight to Miami from their quarters in Starke, Florida arriving at 2 am. At 7 am the next morning Elliott F. Bishop was calling Miami for Bright to get to Palm Beach in a hurry. His reserva- tion manager and resident manager were ill and had not yet arrived. Guests were stacking - up trying to get reservations. Bright didn't have a suit, so Bishop told him to go to the men's shop first thing and buy one. The Flagler Street men's store only had one suit that fit Bright, a double breasted gray pin striped suit. As Bright was being fitted for alterations, Al Capone and four of his men entered the shop to buy clothes. Capone, who had recently purchased a home on Palm Island be- tween Miami and the beach, casually walked up to Bright and introduced himself. Bright, lucky to have made his purchase before Capone bought - out the store, drove to Palm Beach that afternoon. He found a room in a guest house near the hotel and went to work the same day. 1945

1946 - 1949

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