on
fire, and dive 120 feet into a small six-foot-deep pool of water containing
15 gallons of burning high test gasoline. And, as an added attraction "Captain
Leo," who was also called "Suicide Simon," would sometimes plunge backwards
from 110 feet, while on fire, into the blazing tank of fire to
thrill the massive crowds that would flock to Coney Island, and other
major amusement parks, to watch his death defying act.
When Leo got to old for his high dive act he decided to get a "safe"
job placing three sticks of dynamite next to his head and blowing
himself up! It was normal for "Suicide Simon" to be 
knocked
unconscious from the explosion, to be thrown through the air, and to need
emergency medical care, after this act. Even Houdini wouldn't attempt
such a feat!
Leo Simon is credited with being the originator of the dynamite act.
He was so well known, and respected at his craft, that many of the World's
Top Circus Performers, The flying Wallendas, The 
Flying
Valentine Brothers, etc., would stay at Simon's El Jobean Hotel and practice
their acts in the hotel's back yard.
The history, and life of Leo Simon is well documented, and the Leo Simon Estate has an abundance of authentic heirlooms from that time period including Original Posters, Volumes of News Clippings, Films of his Act, and the Props used by "Suicide Simon."
In addition, to being the Estate of Leo Simon, the Hotel building itself ,and the local area, is of "Substantial Historical Significance," as the Railroad depot, Post Office, General Mercantile Store, and one-room Jailhouse, that serviced the area, still exists on the Estate's property.
El Jobean is a unique area, with beautiful river views, great fishing and close proximity to some of the best beaches on the West Coast of Florida. It was also one of the main Confederate supply lines for Florida, and one of the only two skirmishes to take place in Florida during the Civil War. In fact, many believe the El Jobean conflict influenced the outcome of the Civil War.
In
the 1920's Tarzan Movies were shot at El Jobean and it was normal
to see railroad cars with all kinds of animals, and equipment for the movies.
The hotel building itself has quite a colorful past. It was purchased by Leo Simon, and his wife Donna, in 1942, from Joel Bean who the community was named after, and became a haven for circus, carnival people and world famous acts. The hotel register was party to names of many foreign, famous and elite personalities.
In fact, the hotel is the Last Standing Hotel in this region, and the "Only Standing Hotel in the World" to have graced the likes of such prominent Carnival and Circus Personalities.
This Hotel can, in its own right, lay claim to a large part of Florida's Colorful History!
Ground work by the current ownership of the Simon Estate, El Jobean Historical Properties, Inc., an S corporation, plans for renovation of the estate that will include, restoration of The Grand Hotel El Jo Bean Fishing Lodge into a bed and breakfast with 23 rooms available to the public for lodging. Currently there is only one other bed and breakfast in Charlotte County, FL.
Conservatively speaking, $215,000 plus, gross could be generated annually based on 125 days occupancy according to Hotel Association figures. $300,000 is needed to bring the hotel up to today's standards.
El Jobean Historical Properties, Inc., will begin restoration of the
depot first with projected time of 6 
months
to complete. The hotel would follow and take approximately one year to
restore after the completion of the rail depot.
Shares will be sold in blocks of 100 with a minimum purchase of one half block. The current price is $100 per share. This is a limited public offering with a maximum of 4,000 shares being offered at this time.
Nine years ago Mrs. Simon rejected an offer to purchase the property for $1.3 million which did not include the intellectual property that is now owned by the corporation.
Currently a treatment for a book and/or film about Suicide Simon, his wife and his life and times has been written, which secured copyright for the intellectual property and gives this corporation and its shareholders great potential income diversification.
The hotel was registered through the Hotel and Restaurant Association and commercially operated until the early 1960's when the Simons retired.The corporation has the support of the Charlotte County Historical Preservation Board. The board voted unanimously to place, not only the Fishing Lodge, but also the Rail Road Depot/Post Office on a local register of historically significant structures and proposed additionally to determine eligibility for a listing on the state and federal registers.
State and federal matching grants are being sought in an effort to generate
additional funds for the restoration and operating purposes.