Tybee’s first council meeting of 1910 was held on Valentine’s Day, February 14th. At that meeting a petition from R.C. Mcfadden (owner of the Seabreeze Motel) and others was presented “requesting that 16th street be opened from Main Street to the beach. After a general discussion, it was moved and carried that the petition be laid on the table, pending a more suitable time to arrange for Chain Gang labor in which to do the necessary work required.” My guess is that some winter storms had washed some sand up onto 16th (now Tybrisa, but needs to be changed back to 16th) Street. I’m also guessing that “opened” meant open to any wheeled vehicle desiring to drive on the beach including any automobile that might have existed on the island – my final guess is that there were none until the road arrived in 1923, though it would have been possible I suppose to bring one on the train or a floating vessel.
“E.B. Islar presented a proposition, to donate to the Town of Tybeea strip of land lots 98 and 99 [between 16th and 17th Streets east of Main Street] for the purpose of making a street through same, provided the Town of Tybee would open and build and maintain said street. On motion it was moved and carried to decline Mr. Islar’s proposition.” Time will tell whether Mr. Islar will ultimately get his way with Council. As most of you know Izlar Avenue now exists one block south of 16th Street running fromButler to theStrand. We may also learn how the s in Islar changed to a z – may just be a misspelling in the minutes.
“A resolution was passed authorizing the sale of 550 ft. from West to East of the beach in front of beach lots #95 and #96 to W.M. Bohan owner of beach lots #95 & 96 where the Central of Georgia Ry Pavillion now stands – for one hundred and ten dollars.”
At the next Council meeting of April 4, 1910:
“Mayor Lovell appointed this day Pat Grogan, John Naylor, and F.W. Storer Managers of the election for a Mayor and six Councilmen to be held this day – and they were duly sworn as such in accordance with the law.
“The reports of the Managers of the Election held this day for a Mayor and six Councilmen, to serve for the ensuing two years, was read as follows: By virtue of the statute in such case, made and provided, an election was this day held in the Town of Tybee for a Mayor and six Councilmen, thereof, and we the managers of said election, do certify that upon counting the votes polled, the following is the result.” Lovell got all 11 votes to continue as mayor. Councilmen Kehoe,Dixon, Stillwell, Palmer, and Harty also got all 11 votes to continue for another two years. Ambrose Ehrlich got all 11 votes to replace Councilman Blun.
You long-suffering and dedicated readers will recall my report four years ago on the first election on Tybee, April 7, 1890. There was a great deal of hoopla surrounding that first election. There may have even been a yard sign on two. But the notable thing was the fact that three Tybee citizens who were not either candidates or election managers – J.T. Ryan, Wm Campbell, and Peter Smith cast their ballots. For the next 20 years Tybee elections would be quite pro-forma with no indication of participation by the general citizenry.
Back to the 1910 election – “We further certify and make known, that at the election for a Mayor and six Councilmen for the Town of Tybee to serve for the ensuing two years, held this 4th day of April 1910 – [the seven are named here] received a majority [as in all!] of the votes polled on said date and are therefore duly elected.”
Oaths, appointments, ordinances, taxes (remained 1% of assessed value), license fees and similar business were then conducted. Licenses included hotels, boarding houses, billiard and pool tables, rifle ranges, games or ball ranges, show or amusement places, moving pictures shows, skating rinks, bowling alleys, photograph and picture galleries, lunch or ice cream stands, bakers, bread or cookie shops, grocery stores, provision or meat stores, water, ice, or lighting companies, bath houses, soft drink “other than non intoxicants made from cereal” stands, flying horse exhibitions, itinerant shows, restaurants and eating houses, telephone and telegraph companies, and my favorite and most costly license – the selling of non intoxicants made from cereal – for which the license fee was set at $100.
The Mayor and Council would meet 11 days later to consider a petition to rebuild Hotel Tybee. Stay tuned.
Bernie Goode has been writing for the Breeze for four years. Readers with questions or comments are encouraged to write Bernie at berniegoode@gmail.com 