History of the Brazilian Court Hotel

Chapter 5

1950

the Florida Hotel Association and the American Ho- tel Association. They presented the matter to Con- gress and it was changed to April 15 in 1955 which worked better for the IRS too. The BC opened a week early on December 12, 1954 to accommodate “ cottage colony who are expecting friends and guests for the pre - Christmas and holiday season. Room and suite accommodations will be available on a limited and specially reduced tariff basis. ” A 1954 advertisement in the Palm Beach Post : CHRISTMAS DINNER AT THE BRAZILIAN COURT HOTEL Add to the Enjoyment and Spirit of Christmas By Dining Bountifully and Leisurely in the Beautiful

The outdoor courtyard dining is said to have been started by Col. Frederick Collins, retired U.S. Army. One day he was running late for an afternoon of polo and there were no tables available in the dining room. Using his military bearing the Colonel "ordered his waitress to bring his lunch out to the courtyard." Soon other guests were making requests to dine under the palms. 1952 Elliott F. Bishop was listed in A Handbook of Old Penny Banks by John D. Meyer. Mr. Bishop was an avid mechanical bank collector and kept many of his favorites at the BC Hotel. He often sent Bright Johnson on a buying mission to Miami and other lo- cales. In appreciation he gave Bright a Tammany Hall Bank. I remember seeing shelves of old banks in Mr. Bishop's room and not being allowed to touch them.

TROPICAL PATIO TERRACED LOGIA BAMBOO ROOM GUEST EGGNOG PARTY

1954

Music by Russ Henderson Orchestra. Complete Dinner $4.00 per person. Graciously Served 12:30 to 2:30 6:30 to 8:30 Phone 2 - 4121 Elliott F. Bishop

At a 1954 Palm Beach County Hotel Association meeting in Clewiston, Bright Johnson of the BC brought up the matter of losing guests in March be- cause they had to return north to prepare their in- come taxes by March 15. He suggested that the filing deadline be extended. The matter was forwarded to

Employee monthly salaries for the 1955 - 56 season included: Resident Manager $600 Nov - Apr, $350 May - Oct; Asst. Manager $400 Nov - Apr; Chef $3,000 for the season; Bartender $200 plus room and meals.

1955

The Brazilian Court celebrated its twenty - fifth silver anniversary at its opening on December 16, 1955. Bishop had turned the once sleazy apartment resi- dences into a popular first class hotel with quality meals.

1956

Bright W. Johnson, resident manager of the Brazilian Court, was named Second Vice President of the Palm Beach County Hotel Association in January 1956.

South patio dining area. Formal indoor dining upper right.

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