Happy Birthday, Jekyll Island!
By Meghan Ross, Museum Staff
Sixty years ago, three hundred Georgians braved the elements to be among the first to visit Jekyll Island as a new state park. The weather was not ideal for opening day, which took place on March 6th, 1948. But cold and rain did not stop visitors from exploring the island that had long been the exclusive winter playground to America’s wealthiest families.
Several activities lured visitors in from each corner of the state. The Clubhouse pool was to be finished within the week and nine holes of golf ready within the month. There were also six scheduled boar hunts that took place that month to help control the boar population. Opening day events included bus rides to the state’s first public beach, a sumptuous opening day dinner in the Grand Dining Room as well as a dance for visitors to mix and mingle.
Beginning in 1954, the island’s history also became a main attraction. Tallu Fish, the island’s first curator, was instrumental in attracting visitors to Jekyll Island by opening up Indian Mound Cottage to the public as a museum.
She started the first guided tram tours through the historic district. She also helped to boost tourism by advertising the legend of the “Wishing Chair” to raise money for historic preservation. For just twenty-five cents, guests had the privilege of sitting in the infamous chair to make a wish in hopes that it would be granted. This “Wishing Chair” can still be seen on guided tours of the historic district inside Indian Mound Cottage today.
Jekyll Island’s amusement park, Peppermint Land, was open for business in the spring of 1956. This little amusement park, run by Harvey Smith, had its very own roller coaster, ferris wheel, carousel, and go-cart track. Unfortunately, due to financial issues, Smith had to close the doors to Peppermint Land in 1966.
In April of 1961, the Jekyll Island Authority opened the doors to its new Aquarama. This modern structure housed a meeting space large enough to accommodate two thousand people. It also included a 150-foot pool, dressing rooms, and an exhibition hall. The Aquarama was a big hit with tourism for Jekyll Island.
Nine holes of the original 1928 Great Dunes Golf Course were renovated and open for limited play in 1948. In 1955, the present Great Dunes golf course was completed and reopened to the public. In the early 1960s, Jekyll Island opened up its new 18-hole golf course named Oleander. In 1966, another 18-hole golf course named Pine Lakes opened, and in 1975 the 18 holes of the Indian Mound golf course were ready for play.
Over the sixty years that Jekyll Island has been a state park, we have seen many attractions come and go. Peppermint Land is no longer here, the Aquarama closed, and some activities have been shaped and molded over time.
To learn more about Jekyll Island’s earlier history, please visit the Jekyll Island Museum located on Stable Road. Exhibits are open to the public free of charge, and tours of the historic district depart daily. For more information, call (912) 635-4036.
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