"Now Eat Those Vegetables"... (1946-1973)

Bessie and "Gibby" Gibbs (1949)

   When Bessie and Loyal "Gibby" Gibbs arrived in Cedar Key in 1946 they found an ancient, dirty and dilapidated building. Rumors were that it was being used as a whorehouse. Bessie was reluctant to even stay and spent the night in a straight backed chair refusing to sleep on a dirty mattress. However, the friendliness of the people and the charm and possibilities of the hotel soon won her over.
   The first thing Gibby and Bessie did was to scrub the building from top to bottom. They renamed the hotel the Island Hotel and then set about establishing a unique style and reputation that was to grow and endure for 27 years.
   Gibby was bartender and the hotel bar quickly became a popular gathering place for locals and visitors. In 1948, the Gibbs arranged with artist Helen Tooker to spruce up the bar in return for room and board, Helen selected a nautical theme in keeping with Cedar Keys links with the sea. She painted King Neptune to hang behind the bar and then completed a series of wall murals depicting various scenes around the island. The wall murals upstairs were painted by an unknown artist at an earlier date.

   Bessie concentrated her efforts on the dining room and quickly established the hotel restaurant as the place to come for seafood. She set high standards. The seafood, vegetables. and other ingredients had to be fresh, often just off the boat or out of the garden. Portions were hearty and generally served with a smile, although. on occasion, Bessie was known to chastise those who failed to clean their plate. "After I worked so hard to cook you a nice dinner, I expect you to eat it. NOW EAT THOSE VEGETABLES!"

'Big Buster'

   Recipes created by Bessie and her cook Catherine Johnson. known as 'Big Buster' were widely praised.  Bessie's famous Heart of Palm Salad remains a popular menu item today.
   During Bessie's reign the hotel attracted the famous and powerful. Claude Kirk was among Florida governors and other powerful politicians who made the weekend trek from Tallahassee to talk business at the hotel, enjoy the seafood and strong drinks prepared in the Neptune Bar. Famous names appearing on the register included those of author Pearl Buck, singers Vaughan Monroe and Tennessee Ernie Ford, and actresses Frances Langford and Myrna Loy.  Actor Richard Boone, famous for the popular television series Paladin, stayed at the hotel. He would write in the mornings and drink in the evenings, holding court in the Neptune Bar.
   In 1950, Hurricane Easy struck Cedar Key, battering the island with winds, rain and high seas for 17 hours. The storm blew the roof off the hotel, filling the upstairs rooms with water. The stains on the King Neptune painting in the bar were caused by water draining from upstairs.
   Gibby died in 1962. He was cremated and his ashes were placed behind the bar for a day while Bessie and friends waited for the tide to change so they could scatter Gibby's remains at sea. When a visitor commented that it was rather odd, Bessie is said to have responded. 'Why not? That's where he was happiest!"
   Bessie continued to operate the Island Hotel and take a very active role in community affairs. She served as a city commissioner, member of the City Planning Board, city judge and Mayor. Bessie helped organize the Cedar Key Arts Festival which continues to draw thousands of visitors to the island.
   In the early 1970's painful arthritis and a spinal disease began to take their toll on Bessie's health. Her disabilities forced her into a wheelchair. Her health failed to improve despite medical treatment.
   In 1973, Bessie Gibbs sold the Island Hotel to Charles and Shirley English ending perhaps the most famous era in the history of the building. Bessie continued to live in Cedar Key. She died in a house fire in 1975. Bessie was cremated and, in keeping with her wishes her ashes were taken to sea by her family and friends and spread upon the waters of the Gulf she had so dearly loved. A plaque honoring Bessie's memory is in the garden adjacent to the Historical Society Building, and a memorial marker was placed at the entrance to the Cedar Key Cemetery.