TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | DEC 2018 27
BOOK
REVIEW
By Nell Klein
Tybee Days
By Ellen Lyle Taber and Polly Wylly Cooper
Although I consider myself a “Local” having lived on Tybee for a mere
23 years, and considering that I was raised in Savannah and spent my
summers playing on Tybee Island, I didn’t realize that I really didn’t know
much about the history of the island. This wonderful book changed all of
that. Tybee Days is a look at the families who visited, settled and worked on
the island from the 1860s to the 1960s (before the old pier burned down).
Although Tybee Days was originally published in 2009, chapters have been
added and a new cover gives it a fresh new look. I was fascinated with the
stories and fabulous old photos that Tybee Days is full of. Let me tell you
about a few of the things I learned.
The book begins with the history of the island itself. In the 1840s, day
trips from Savannah by steamboats beckoned visitors to Tybee to enjoy the
sun, sand and salt water. Ladies carried baskets of seashells back to their
homes in the city. When the Civil War broke out, these excursions ceased
as the steamboats were needed for the war effort. After the Civil War the
daytrips resumed and by the 1870s, plans were being made to establish
seaside resorts. After a few failed attempts on neighboring islands, Tybee
persevered. In 1876 Tybee became so popular with visitors that the train
from Savannah was completed in 1887. The promise of a day of fun at the
beach was provided for a mere 10 cents each way. As many as 12,000 day
trippers rode the train each summer.
Tybee Road officially opened in June 1923 and was paved with oyster
shells. There were always waiting lines at the Bull River Bridge, so Bridge
tender Tom Williams and his wife set up a roadside cart to sell deviled
crabs to people waiting for entry on the bridge. They later opened Williams
Seafood there in 1935 (I ate many meals after church with my family there!
It later burned down in 2004). The newfound popularity of the motorcar
finally ended the need for the railroad, but it lasted until 1933. A bus line
was established in 1932.
During the Prohibition in the 1920s and 30s, Tybee residents maintained
open gambling and drinking. Alcohol was smuggled in and Tybee always
stayed a step ahead of the revenuers. Big Bands from New York and
California played in the Tybrisa Pavilion and Tybee’s social life never
skipped a beat. Although Prohibition ended in 1933, it never began on
Tybee in the first place!
In a chapter based on what kids did with their leisure time, I learned about
a house that has always fascinated me on Izlar Ave. (and my dear friend
Doug White lives in). Ernest Izlar, who came to Tybee in 1889 at the age of
13, was known as the Pied Piper of Tybee. He owned the Sea Breeze Hotel
and a boarding house on what is now Izlar Ave. Children sat around his
rocking chair on the front steps to hear about his many adventures of riding
porpoises, pet sharks and how he put salt in the ocean. But the children
weren’t around long, as their families boarded up and moved to town for
school. There were only 176 families as year round residents in the 30s.
Two chapters are devoted to T.S. Chu. He established his famous department
store in 1933. Mr. Chu also helped start the Small Business Association on
the island and persuaded Cecil Day to open the first Days Inn on the island.
He also helped a young refugee named Jim Yao. He had no money but he
knew how to cook. Mr. Chu convinced the SBA to loan him $100,000 to
start the Dragon Palace on Butler Ave., which he ran until it burned down.
The Sunrise was built in its place. Mr. Chu helped many people over the
years, and never bothered to make anyone pay him back. A stack of IOUs
was found in the family safe after he died. Also, the Optimist Club was
formed in 1950 and Mr. Chu became president in 1958.
Chapter 4 was a little hard to read after our scares with Matthew and
Irma. It seems that there have been much, much worse hurricanes to hit
this island. The terrifying tales of death and destruction of October 1893,
August 1940 and October 1947 are any wonder that anyone lives on this
island at all!
But we do live on this island and we’re darned happy to be here. This book
is full of nostalgic pictures and stories of the past that will make you look
a little differently at your surroundings. I remember many buildings that
aren’t here anymore, but there were so many more over the years. I give
this book 5 roses and I highly recommend it for newcomers and anyone
who thinks they are a “Local.” You have a lot to learn and you won’t be
sorry investing in the time to learn it.
Have a very Merry Christmas and read a book. If it’s a good read, pass it on!
One Hundred Years on
Georgia’s Playground Island