On This Day in Jekyll History…

March 6, 1901, Edwin and Sarah Gould arrive at Jekyll Island for their first stay in Chichota Cottage.

Chichota, Courtesy of the Jekyll Island Museum

Built in 1897 for David H. King, Chichota was purchased in 1900 by Edwin Gould, son of railroad magnate and financier Jay Gould. The interior courtyard featured a swimming pool - and it was the only cottage on the island to have one. Gould made many improvements to the property, adding a private dock, a large casino with a bowling alley and shooting gallery, an indoor tennis court, and a grennhouse.

After the death of their oldest son, Edwin, Jr., the Goulds virtually abandoned the home. The cottage fell into a state of disrepair and was torn down in 1941. Two stone lions stand guard over the ruins of Chichota today.

Enjoy History?  Visit the Jekyll Island Museum, 100 Stable Road, Jekyll Island, GA www.jekyllisland.com/history

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On This Day in Jekyll History…February 24, 1917, Edwin Gould, Jr. dies tragically while at Jekyll Island.

One of the great tragedies of the Jekyll Island Club era took place on a nearby marsh hammock. Kate Brown, tutor to the Macy children recorded it in her diary as such:

“There was a dreadful accident here last evening which makes us feel sad today. Eddy Gould, the one young man in (his) twenties in the Island and son of the Mr. Gould who brought us down here, went out last night to visit his coon traps. He had set them on a lovely island, separated from Jekyll by a mile or more of water and marsh, and the only person who went with him was a young man who is tutoring the Dowes children. It was a very dark night and Eddy Gould bent over a trap which was sprung to see what it had caught. In bending he knocked against his gun which he had carelessly left cocked and it went off, shooting him through the stomach and killing him. The tutor had to leave him there and struggle back to land. He was entirely unfamiliar with the swamp and overturned twice in his canoe and waded waist deep before he got back. It was hours before help could get there.”

The Goulds, who had been a very active part of the Jekyll Island Club rarely returned to the island after that day. Their home Chichota, falling into disrepair, was eventually demolished by the Club in 1940, leaving only the foundations and two stone lions standing guard in silent tribute.

Enjoy History?  Visit the Jekyll Island Museum, 100 Stable Road, Jekyll Island, GA www.jekyllisland.com/history

or become a Fan of the Jekyll Island Museum on Facebook

Tags: 1917, Edwin Gould, jekyll island, jekyll island club, jekyll island history
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