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The first days of June bring back so many wonderful memories of summers past.  For me, the first days of summer vacation were spent sleeping late and making plans for the glorious 10 weeks of summer vacation before school was back in session.

Those plans included going to Griffin’s Beach and summer activities offered by the Elite Club that was located on Griffin’s Beach Road.  Most of the time for us teenagers, Griffin’s Beach was the place to go because of live bands playing there. 

Sometimes on a Sunday afternoon, a few of my friends got together to see if we could “catch a flight to Florida.’ That was the ‘code’ for getting to ride to the Elite Club with a friend who had a car.  

My neighbor, Walt, who lived across the street, used his dad’s car and would offer to take us to the Elite Club. We’d only stay for about half an hour because Walt’s family did not want him going to the club. (That’s why we’d use the code when asking him for a ride. But 30 minutes was enough time to listen to some really great music and learn the newest dances like the ‘Tighten Up’ or the ‘Cool Jerk.’

Here’s some possible history about the Elite Club. I’m sure someone may have more accurate information, and I welcome the correction if I am wrong.

In 1929, Joseph Williams, who lived at 320 West Fourth Street, (now known as Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd.) organized a group of locals who called themselves the ‘Elites.’  Many of the Elites were professionals as was Mr. William’s mother, Elizabth Jones and his aunt, Sarah Williams, who were teachers in the 1920s.

The Elites sponsored events that celebrated the achievements of other local professionals and businesspeople. For example, when Washington/Beaufort County’s only black dentist, Dr. Haywood Nathaniel Dowdy (1900-1986,) successfully graduated from the Howard University School of Dentistry in 1926, and had come back to his native home of Washington, the Elites planned an elaborate welcome for him.

They also organized the celebration of Dr. Dowdy’s plans to set up his dental office at 410 Gladden Street, and a more elaborate dental office to be set up in the future at the corner of Fourth and Gladden Streets. That building remains there today.

The Elites hosted events like celebrating members of the military’s home coming, birthday parties for local professionals and businesspeople, and graduation parties for high school graduates. It is said the legacy of these events later inspired future members of the Elites to find a permanent home for events. This may have been the early beginning of the Elite Club Building.

What I do know for sure is that many generations have enjoyed the Elite Club and have great memories of their own to share.