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The '''Linger Longer Lodge''' was a private social club located in a rock house on [[Shades Crest Road]] at the intersection of [[Berry Road]] and [[Grace Way]]. The name of the establishment may have been inspired by the 1893 song "Linger Longer, Loo" by Sidney Jones and Willie Younge, popularized in the Gaiety Burlesque stage musical "Don Juan".
The '''Linger Longer Lodge''' was a private social club located in a rock house on [[Shades Crest Road]] at the intersection of [[Berry Road]] and [[Grace Way]]. The business was founded by [[Henry Beaumont]] and his wife, [[Helen Beaumont|Helen]]. It was incorporated in [[1920]] with [[John Hornady]] as president of the membership. The name may have been inspired by the 1893 song "Linger Longer, Loo" by Sidney Jones and Willie Younge, popularized in the Gaiety Burlesque stage musical "Don Juan".


During [[Prohibition]] the club was known as a discreet spot to enjoy a drink and games of chance on the sly. Because of this, the [[Ku Klux Klan]] burned a cross there in March [[1926]], one of their few actions against a white, Protestant establishment at the time. In the 1930s the club was renamed the '''Blue Crystal''' and took on an even shadier reputation, one that was slightly ameliorated by the habit of [[Birmingham Barons]] owner [[Gus Jebeles (Barons owner|Gus Jebeles]] of inviting friends there for the "largest steaks in town".
The Linger Longer Lodge benefitted by the closure of the nearby [[Bluff Park Hotel]] in [[1923]], and it boasted more than 500 members in [[1925]]. During [[Prohibition]] the private club was known as a discreet spot to enjoy a drink and games of chance on the sly. In protest of those activities, the [[Ku Klux Klan]] burned a cross there in March [[1926]], one of their few actions against a white, Protestant establishment at the time. The club had a livery stable, a barber shop, and swimming pool. It also constructed tennis courts and hosted amateur tournaments.  


In [[1968]] the building, used most recently as a private residence, was demolished because it lay precisely in the center of a 90-foot deep cut through [[Shades Mountain]] required for the construction of [[I-65]].
The Beaumont's lost the business in the stock market crash of [[1929]]. In the 1930s the club was owned by [[Henry Green]], who renamed it the '''Blue Crystal'''. Green was arrested at least once in [[1934]], and pleaded guilty to violating state gambling and prohibition laws. Later [[George Panos]], [[J. N. Lilley]] and [[Tom Head]] ran the business, until they were also enjoined by order of Judge Thompson in [[1937]], after other residents of the area complained that the business was, "a drawing place for the idle, dissolute, rough and intoxicated element," which made itself a nuisance by engendering fights, loud noises, and intoxicated drivers.
 
In [[1939]] the "Blue Crystal Special" (chicken salad, french fried potatoes, boiled egg, sliced tomatoes, olives, hot rolls, butter and coffee) went for 65 cents.
 
[[Dixie Coffee]] founder [[Gus Jebeles (Barons owner|Gus Jebeles]] purchased the business and brought back the "Linger Longer" name while advertising the "largest steaks in town". He bought the [[Birmingham Barons]] in [[1944]] and frequently hosted friends at the restaurant.
 
In [[1968]] the building, by then used as a real estate office, and most recently as a private residence, was demolished because it lay precisely in the center of a 90-foot deep cut through [[Shades Mountain]] required for the construction of [[I-65]].


==References==
==References==
* "Linger Longer to Hold Net Tourney" (August 15, 1926) {{BN}}
* "Blue Crystal Raided" (August 6, 1934) {{BN}}
* "Injunction Writ Hits Nightclub" (September 9, 1937) {{BN}}
* Spotswood, Frances (January --, 1968) "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/LingerLonger(1-68).JPG Linger Longer Lodge waiting for wrecker]." {{BN}}
* Spotswood, Frances (January --, 1968) "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/LingerLonger(1-68).JPG Linger Longer Lodge waiting for wrecker]." {{BN}}
* {{Summe-2001}}
* {{Summe-2001}}
* {{Bennett-2008}}, p. 111


[[Category:Private clubs]]
[[Category:Private clubs]]
[[Category:Shades Crest Road]]
[[Category:Shades Crest Road]]
[[Category:Demolished buildings]]
[[Category:1920 establishments]]
[[Category:1968 demolitions]]
[[Category:Tennis courts]]

Latest revision as of 11:20, 4 January 2023

The Linger Longer Lodge was a private social club located in a rock house on Shades Crest Road at the intersection of Berry Road and Grace Way. The business was founded by Henry Beaumont and his wife, Helen. It was incorporated in 1920 with John Hornady as president of the membership. The name may have been inspired by the 1893 song "Linger Longer, Loo" by Sidney Jones and Willie Younge, popularized in the Gaiety Burlesque stage musical "Don Juan".

The Linger Longer Lodge benefitted by the closure of the nearby Bluff Park Hotel in 1923, and it boasted more than 500 members in 1925. During Prohibition the private club was known as a discreet spot to enjoy a drink and games of chance on the sly. In protest of those activities, the Ku Klux Klan burned a cross there in March 1926, one of their few actions against a white, Protestant establishment at the time. The club had a livery stable, a barber shop, and swimming pool. It also constructed tennis courts and hosted amateur tournaments.

The Beaumont's lost the business in the stock market crash of 1929. In the 1930s the club was owned by Henry Green, who renamed it the Blue Crystal. Green was arrested at least once in 1934, and pleaded guilty to violating state gambling and prohibition laws. Later George Panos, J. N. Lilley and Tom Head ran the business, until they were also enjoined by order of Judge Thompson in 1937, after other residents of the area complained that the business was, "a drawing place for the idle, dissolute, rough and intoxicated element," which made itself a nuisance by engendering fights, loud noises, and intoxicated drivers.

In 1939 the "Blue Crystal Special" (chicken salad, french fried potatoes, boiled egg, sliced tomatoes, olives, hot rolls, butter and coffee) went for 65 cents.

Dixie Coffee founder Gus Jebeles purchased the business and brought back the "Linger Longer" name while advertising the "largest steaks in town". He bought the Birmingham Barons in 1944 and frequently hosted friends at the restaurant.

In 1968 the building, by then used as a real estate office, and most recently as a private residence, was demolished because it lay precisely in the center of a 90-foot deep cut through Shades Mountain required for the construction of I-65.

References

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