Jabo

[ beach community ] W. J. Howard was a school teacher, barber, farmer, commercial fisherman and cafe operator. He taught school at Alliance School, six mileswest of Shady Grove. Later he operated a farm near Athena, and later went to Carbur to operate a barber shop. After Carbur closed he moved to Jabo where he was a fisherman and cafe operator.

The following article appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat, June 2, 1970 - by Bill Schley - Jabo Beach - This placid, east-going gulf coast village, located 18 miles west of Perry on State Raod 361, is a refreshing, living throwback to the gracious, low pressure days of early Florida. A drive to Jabo Beach with its swift, running creek and sweeping palm trees blowing in the light breezes from the gulf is a step back 50 years in history, highly recommended for fugitives from freeways and job pressure. The one business of the community is a quaint restaurant which to enter the visitor crosses an old fashion bridge which spans a fast running creek which flows the length of the community. Mrs. W. J. Howard, who has resided in the community for almost a quarter of a century, operates the restaurant with the aid of an assistant. A visitor to the dining room will find on display a small museum of old vases, bottles, lamps, and hand meat grinder and also a hand corn grinder which are cherished by Mrs. Howard, as a keep-sake of a past era. The winding white ribbon of road that twists through the community extends from where the paved road ends to the beach on the Gulf of Mexico. Most of the houses in this small commuity are built on piling to avoid being flooded during the hurricane seasons.

About Jabo

In the 1920’s Mr. Tally Griner operated an auto repair shop at 123 S. Jefferson Street, Perry, Florida. A mechanic in the shop had a pet and constant companion a spider monkey, whose name was Jabo. This was well known in the then very small town. Also, during the 20’s, Mr. Levi Mixon established a fishery on the Taylor County coast and hired a fisherman whose name is not recalled. He didn’t always agree with Mr. Mixon’s way of doing things and as a slur called him, and referred to him, (Mr. Mixon, that is) as an old “Jabo.” Mr. Mixon moved away and later died. Mr. Walter J. Howard later acquired the property but the name remained: JABO.

I’m not sure this is correct but it sounds like it could be and makes a good story.