1915
The Jolly Roger Soda Ship first opened its doors in
Neverland Ohio on a beautiful summer Thursday, the 29th of July
1915. The shop was opened by Aimée Jolie, a young French fairy descended from an
ancient line of fairy godmothers* that had to leave her home country and travel
to America to escape the ravages of the Great War. Now, in 1915, the War had
not yet had much effect on the United States, but Aimée felt that the world
needed a magical and happy place where friends could gather and forget their cares.
And so the Jolly Roger (named for Aimée's own family and the kind captain who
helped her escape war-torn Europe) Soda Ship was born. Two years later, when
the United States entered the War, the shop truly became the town’s central
gathering place where soldiers gathered before going off to war and where their
families gathered to support (and when necessary, grieve with) each other while
their men were away.
When the Great War ended and the boys came home, the people
of Neverland celebrated at the Jolly Roger for an entire week! Though Aimée could have returned to France at this time, she had made her home in Neverland
and decided to stay (a few years later she changed her name to the Americanized
version of her name, Amy).
*It
should be noted that while the same genus as Neverland fairies, fairy
godmothers are a slightly different species. They’re generally human-sized
(though of course they can shrink themselves down when they choose) and they
age very slowly. A fairy godmother often lives for several centuries. Also,
they have a bit of a glow… if you’re paying attention.
1920s
During Prohibition, the shop became even more popular with
the locals since it was the only real dining establishment in town since the
saloon was forced to close its doors. The Jolly Roger Soda Ship, of course, had
no problems with Prohibition since they had never served alcohol anyway. There
was rumor however, that some Neverland fairies opened a speakeasy in the
basement of the cottage in the yard behind the shop.
1930s
When the Great Depression struck Neverland, the Jolly Roger
opened its doors and acted a soup kitchen for anyone who was in need. And
anyone who needed a place to stay was offered a room in the 4th
floor attic, which somehow always had enough room for everyone and anyone was welcome.
1940s
Soon the world went to war again. After the attack on Pearl
Harbor, many of Neverland’s men gathered at the shop and signed up to join the
army before the draft could go into effect. The backyard of the Jolly Roger
then became the site of Neverland’s community Victory Garden. The whole
community gathered together to care for the garden and orchard and they did so
well that President Roosevelt declared it to be the model for all Victory
Gardens.
Again, as when the first World War ended, the victories that
were V-E Day and V-J Day led to joyful celebrations in Neverland. And of course
many celebrations and “welcome home” parties took place at the Jolly Roger.
1950s
After the business of the last several decades, the 1950s
were a much calmer time in Neverland. Few of Neverland’s men were called to
fight in Korea, so when the 50s began, most Neverlandians were settling back to
the peaceful existences they had once know. Then on October 19th 1955 rock and
roll, the form of Elvis Presley arrived in Neverland. Though this was early in
his career, his name had become a buzzword in town and the entire town showed
up for his concert at Black Bear Rock. And that was the day that Neverland fell
in love with rock and roll.
1960s
The 1960s saw time of great change and excitement for
Neverland and the country, but also great sadness. Shock and grief cloaked the
town in November of 1963 when President Kennedy was assassinated and in April
of 1968 when Martin Luther King Jr. was also assassinated. Both men were well
loved by the people of Neverland and the town held a memorials for them in the
Forever Gardens, followed by a wakes at the Jolly Roger.
Later, as the decade drew to a close, seemingly all of
Neverland gathered at the shop to watch the moon landing and to celebrate
America’s leap into the history books. A barbeque for the whole town was held
in the backyard and the people put aside concerns over the Vietnam War to once
again looked to the future with hope and pride in their country.
1970s
1970s
In the mid-70s, flower power swept through the town, and the second floor of the Jolly Roger was transformed into Neverland's most psychedelic discothéque. Neverlandians gathered every night (and every weekend) to dance to funky music by the likes of the Bee Gees and the Jackson 5!
1980s
In 1986, many Neverlandians gathered on the Jolly Roger's rooftop terrace to watch in awe as Halley's Comet Passed by. Everyone agreed that the legendary comet was one of the most beautiful things they could ever hope to see.
In November of 1989, Neverland joined the world in celebrating the end of the Cold War as they watched the Berlin Wall start to come down. On thanksgiving that year, nearly the entire town gathered together at the Jolly Roger for an enormous feast to celebrate the day to join together in their thankfulness for a wonderful decade in Neverland.
1990s
The 90s was a rather calm decade for Neverland. Though much happened around the country during those years, the people of Neverland were content to live their lives quietly and removed from much upheaval or excitement. Many town teenagers had gained valuable life experience working summer jobs at the Jolly Roger throughout the years. However, in 1995, Amy finally came to the realization that she needed some full-time help around her constantly busy shop. And after an extensive search, she found a human named Katie who had an almost magical talent when it came to creating desserts that no one could resist. So Katie took up her role as the Queen of Dessert with great aplomb.
1980s
In 1986, many Neverlandians gathered on the Jolly Roger's rooftop terrace to watch in awe as Halley's Comet Passed by. Everyone agreed that the legendary comet was one of the most beautiful things they could ever hope to see.
In November of 1989, Neverland joined the world in celebrating the end of the Cold War as they watched the Berlin Wall start to come down. On thanksgiving that year, nearly the entire town gathered together at the Jolly Roger for an enormous feast to celebrate the day to join together in their thankfulness for a wonderful decade in Neverland.
1990s
The 90s was a rather calm decade for Neverland. Though much happened around the country during those years, the people of Neverland were content to live their lives quietly and removed from much upheaval or excitement. Many town teenagers had gained valuable life experience working summer jobs at the Jolly Roger throughout the years. However, in 1995, Amy finally came to the realization that she needed some full-time help around her constantly busy shop. And after an extensive search, she found a human named Katie who had an almost magical talent when it came to creating desserts that no one could resist. So Katie took up her role as the Queen of Dessert with great aplomb.
2000s
Neverland rang in the new millennium with a huge party that started
out at the Jolly Roger and the moved to the Forever Gardens for a spectacular
fireworks display that lasted for nearly an hour. Then since everyone got a
little too cold, they hurried back to the Jolly Roger for hot chocolate before
heading off to their own homes.
There were several national tragedies in the 2000s, and with
each new tragedy, Neverland stood tall and firm with their countrymen.
September 11, 2001 started out innocently enough. Amy and Katie were in the
shop early prepping for the day when a breaking news report interrupted their
regular morning show on the TV over the counter. Like the rest of the country,
they stared at the screen in shock and horror as they watched 2nd plane
hit the south tower of the World Trade Center. For that day, and many after,
many members of the town gathered at the shop to talk and grieve and to donate
at an emergency Red Cross blood drive that was set up. Flags flew at half-staff
and people grieved, but Neverland joined her countrymen in banding together and
stood strong and proud.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans,
Louisiana. The Jolly Roger hosted a town-wide drive to collect supplies to send
to all those left homeless and destitute by the storm. After all the supplies
had been gathered, Amy, Katie, and many other townspeople made the long trip to
Louisiana to distribute the supplies and to help with the clean up. This
generosity and sacrifice by everyone showed the true spirit of Neverland.
There’s truly nowhere else like Neverland. And no one like Neverlandians for
giving and helping out those in need with a little faith, trust, and pixie
dust.
