Would you buy this book?

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Hmmm, probably not. I think I would read it if it was a single or multi-episode magazine article. That's about my limit for a story of this genre.

Bingo. I'd absolutely read a serialized article in a magazine, even if each chapter was several pages (which I wouldn't expect, unless you went into incredible detail of the history).

Although, I do have two of Michael Jackson's books, which are similar in design, and I do use them for research, but once I skimmed each of them all of the way through once, I've never actually sat down and read them again.

[ckissick]

Thanks for the honest responses so far.

By gift book, I do not mean a coffee table book. It would be medium-size with a few pictures interspersed among the narrative. To avoid a boring text-book format, I arranged the chapters in the order visited, instead of alphabetical or chronological order. Then I threw in my travel experiences, from camping in New England corn fields, to eating fresh moose in Alaska, to nearly being arrested in Oklahoma for driving a "hippie-van" with California plates, to partying in Key West with a lunatic bartender and the full skeleton of his first wife. Stories? I got 'em.

While the text would flow from one chapter to the next, it could also be skimmed out of order, for those with the short attention span.

For the history buff, there are many events, both important and not, that are associated with many of the taverns. I write about pioneers of the 1600s, the Revolutionary War, westward expansion, the Indian wars, various gold rushes, outlaws, prohibition; the list goes on. After reading the book, you get a good picture of the evolution of America, as seen from a tavern's unique and personal perspective. Hence the title of the book.

I think the final decision on the format would be up to the publisher. One would hope they know best, right?

[vash]

charlie...forgot to say;

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU. i hope you kick some butt.

[Racerbvd]

Did you go to the Palace Saloon in Fernandina Beach FL or Petes Bar in Neptune Beach, FL????

[Jim Garfield]

I think that if it had sort of a Blue Highways feel it could be a great book. Know what I mean? The object is to visit the oldest bar in every state, and here's a little history of the area and what happened along the way......

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

Did you go to the Palace Saloon in Fernandina Beach FL or Petes Bar in Neptune Beach, FL????

No, I went to Captain Tony's in Key West, est. 1851. It used to be called Sloppy Joe's, where Hemmingway hung out and wrote some of his classics. The current Sloppy Joe's is a cheap imitation. Captain Tony is the one with the skeletal first wife. (Or so he claims.)

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by ckissick

No, I went to Captain Tony's in Key West, est. 1851. It used to be called Sloppy Joe's, where Hemmingway hung out and wrote some of his classics. The current Sloppy Joe's is a cheap imitation. Captain Tony is the one with the skeletal first wife. (Or so he claims.)

To bad, Petes, why not as old, does have neat history, as does the Palace.

Between 1880-1910 Fernandina's docks were among the busiest in the south. Basking in her heyday, she welcomed ships from the far corners of the globe. Of the many saloons that lined the lively streets of the harbour district - and there were over 20 at the time - only one bore the distinction of being the "Ship Captains Bar." And that was the Palace.
Originally constructed as a haberdashery in 1878, Louis G. Hirth bought the Prescott building in 1903 and replaced shoes with booze and named it the Palace Saloon. Hirth called upon his friend Adolphus Busch, founder of Anheuser-Busch to assist him with designing the elegant Bar, and Busch reportedly traveled from St. Louis to oversee the installation of the now famous fixture. The saloon still has the elegant features that have made it famous for over a century: inlaid mosaic floors, embossed tin ceilings, hard carved mahogany caryatids (undraped female fixtures), a 40-foot bar lit with gas lamps and walls painted with six commissioned murals.
six commissioned murals.

A true "gentleman's establishment," the bar even included complimentary towels hanging from the bar to wipe the foam from patrons' mustaches and 14-pound solid brass cuspidors (spittoons) for those who enjoyed a good chew with their drink. To keep tabs on the visitors (including the Rockefellers and Carnegies from Cumberland Island), the first owner, Hirth, employed the brass cash register - locals, he simply billed monthly.
The Palace has had to adapt to earn its title of "Florida's Oldest" continuously operated drinking establishment. According to local lore, it was the last bar in Florida to close on the eve of Prohibition. A shrewd businessman, Hirth stored up for a last hurrah selling till midnight and grossing $60,000 in a single day.

Another first for the Palace, it was the first hard liquor bar to begin serving Coca-Cola, around 1905.

The Palace survived the Prohibition years by selling Texaco gasoline, ice cream, special wines, 3 percent near-beer and cigars. And for those strong enough to try it, legend says that Hirth made available his signature Cumberland Whiskey.

A fire in 1999 nearly dealt the saloon a deathblow. However, through inspired and enthusiastic ownership, the saloon was restored and the Palace has regained its nostalgic charm and vitality.

The Palace continues to bring folks together. Old friends still gather here rubbing elbows with passing ship captains and local well-to-do. And once news is swapped and formalities concluded, they get down the more serious business of dustin' the sea spray off their jackets and enjoying the long-awaited shore side beer.

http://www.thepalacesaloon.com/history.shtml

[Moses]

I lived in England for a year and was given a book on historical pubs in England. I LOVE the book. Each chapter is devoted to a single pub and has a nice quality color photo of the front of the pub. The photos are simple; always the front of the pub and only a single photo of each. Very nice format.

For what it's worth, I'd probably like your book just as well if it has a lot of history. A single photo of each tavern is a MUST.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by ckissick

No, I went to Captain Tony's in Key West, est. 1851. It used to be called Sloppy Joe's, where Hemmingway hung out and wrote some of his classics. The current Sloppy Joe's is a cheap imitation. Captain Tony is the one with the skeletal first wife. (Or so he claims.)

Boy howdy does the current "Sloppy Joes" suck donkey testicles...

We started there, for "history's sake". Got fed up in the first beer, and wandered on.

Ended up face down in the original Rum Runner

[aap1966]

If witty.

[ckissick]

Again, thanks for the input. I must say, the results of this informal survey are encouraging.

I just wonder: Does the "number of views", currently at 435, equal the number of members who have viewed the thread, regardless of multiple views per member? In other words, If I view the thread 10 times, is that 1 view or 10 views?

I suspect it's the latter. If it is, I would assume those who viewed, and did not vote, were not interested and would have been a "no" had they voted. Then I would have 24 yes votes out of 435, or 5.5%. Imagine if 5.5% of those who went into a Barns and Noble bought my book, some buying extra copies as gifts. That would be a lot of books.

[vash]

as long as you are imagining things...imagine if Oprah blessed it...you would be rolling in dough.

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by vash

as long as you are imagining things...imagine if Oprah blessed it...you would be rolling in dough.

If pigs had wings, they'd fly.

Actually, I'd be happy with enough dough just to build my dream garage. (Or pay the mortgage - civil engineering work is as popular these days as a Playboy magazine at a school for the blind.)

[vash]

you are not associated with the tunnel anymore? (or was that someone else?)

[VroomGrrl]

I love a good road trip, and a good road trip book. Plus my husband and I make a habit of searching out the diviest "home town" bars we can find when we are on the road. So I'd be all over it.

And now I'm curious what you determined was the oldest bar in Alabama?

The best and oldest bar in my town (the Chukker, Tuscaloosa AL) closed down here in 2001 and we still mourn the loss of that gathering place.

[livi]

Absolutely! With some interesting stories, a personal review and some old and new photos it would be very interesting. Good luck!

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by ckissick

If pigs had wings, they'd fly.

Actually, I'd be happy with enough dough just to build my dream garage. (Or pay the mortgage - civil engineering work is as popular these days as a Playboy magazine at a school for the blind.)

How about a few samples from the book & pix???

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by vash

you are not associated with the tunnel anymore? (or was that someone else?)

Yep, still doing monthly groundwater measurements. I drove over the bridge: nice work!

[vash]

not to hijack. but my first day in the tunnel!

[vash]

charlie.

is your VW white and 4x4?