Jetties Beach
Leon M. Royal
1924 to 1930s
Bath houses evolved on Nantucket after the pastime of sea bathing had become all the rage in the 1870s. The calm and beautiful beaches of the north shore were close to town and near to large hotels like the Sea Cliff Inn and Springfield House. In 1924, Leon M. Royal purchased the lease for the Cliff Bathing Beach, run by Sea Cliff Inn proprietor Clifford Folger, and opened Royal’s Bath Houses. Royal’s rented chairs and beach umbrellas to beach-goers and sold toys, tobacco, and refreshments. In 1933, Royal opened a restaurant close by called Club Royale, complete with a staff of singing waitresses; it served chowder, soups, salad, sandwiches—and beer and ale from 11:00 A.M. to midnight—leading to a controversy about the propriety of operating a night club so close to town. Royal also became involved in a dispute with Elmer F. Pease, who operated a rival busline, when he installed a sign that advertised Captain Folger’s Busline right next to Pease’s sign. Royal and his wife, Eleanor, also ran a real estate business and owned the Royal Manor guest house on Centre Street, among other ventures.
Leon Royal was described by his contemporaries as “always in trouble.” His wife, Eleanor, was known to wear wigs and fancifully decorated hats.
P15975
F2967
