Jekyll Island Then and Now
Wednesday, August 20th, 2008Read the August 2008 Coastal Illustrated article on Jekyll Island, “Jekyll Island: From playground of the rich, to park of the people.“
Posts Tagged ‘ jekyll island history ’
Georgia On My Mind: And What to Do About It
Sunday, June 22nd, 2008by Robert Painter
Reprinted from TravelLady Magazine
You won’t run into Ray Charles, but if you head on down to Woodbine, Georgia, you can take in some great country and bluegrass music on the weekend. Friday night at the Woodbine Opry a lot of the local folks will be gathered around to listen to some pretty good acoustic Bluegrass and Gospel and when they come back on Saturday they might just pull the old guitar out of the closet to join in on some of their favorite country
It’s not the Ryman Auditorium, but neither does it cost $50 for a front row seat. For about eight dollars you have a fine country dinner before the music starts. The music is free but you can buy a ticket for the homemade cake raffle or make a donation if you’re so inclined. All in all it’s a terrific evening of good clean family fun. And dinner for the kids is only four dollars so bring everyone.
From Woodbine you can take a short drive down to Kingsland which is a good starting point for those wishing to venture a bit west into the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuse and Wilderness Area. Or go a few miles east to the delightful little town of St. Marys. Be sure to visit the Oak Grove Cemetery. Remember to ask someone about the resident ghosts.
If you’re ready for a bit of exercise and looking to find a few dolphins you probably ought to hook up with Up the Creek Xpeditions for a half day kayaking trip on the St. Marys River. And, if you’re really adventurous they can even arrange a night trip into the Okefenokee to spot alligators with your headlamp. If you haven’t kayaked before don’t let that stop you. They’ll give you excellent instruction and the equipment is first rate.
It’s time to turn a bit north and travel up the coast to Brunswick and the Golden Isles of Georgia. If you’re getting hungry for some fresh shrimp your next stop should be the Lady Jane Shrimp Boat. This is a real shrimp boat that has been refurbished and Coast Guard certified for passengers. The good news is that it is still a shrimper. It’s rigged to troll the waters in a nice, calm protected area (don’t even think about getting seasick) and you’ll have the opportunity to watch the authentic operation. The net pulls up a lot of creatures. Different kinds of fish, crabs shrimp and even the amazing horseshoe crab. You can even help sort the shrimp and toss the horseshoe crabs back into the water.
The real treat comes when the fresh shrimp are cooked and served right on the back of the boat. All you can eat, fresh and delicious!
As long as you’re in the neighborhood you wouldn’t want to miss the famous and historic Jekyll Island Club. It’s a wonderful place to overnight and walk around the grounds to view the historic district. You’ll recognize some of the names of the early club members. Marshall Field, Joseph Pulitzer, William Vanderbilt, J.P. Morgan, Frank Goodyear, William Rockefeller are but a few on the list. The grounds are meticulously cared for.
A visit to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center found here will both entertain and educate you. Injured and ill turtles are cared for in a state-of-the-art facility and you can actually watch the staff in action. The staff will introduce you to some of the patients and you can learn much about the several varieties of turtles in the facility.
A short walk from the Center you will discover the unusual and scenic Driftwood Beach. It’s not really “driftwood” but rather trees that have been uprooted by the changing tides and left in place to be polished by the water. The shapes are beautiful and if you forget to bring your camera you’ll regret it later.
One of the biggest surprises on the island is an enormous colony of wood storks. Don’t miss them. I doubt if you’ll ever find a group like this again.
From Jekyll Island and Brunswick it’s an easy two hour drive on up to Savannah, unless you make a few stops along the way. Wolf Island, Blackbeard Island and Harris Neck and Sapelo are just a few of the National Wildlife Refuges and Sanctuaries you might want to visit.
Savannah is a perfect city for walking. There are scooters, segways, trolleys and even a GPS tour for the trendy techies. I like to walk and you can pick up a good map for your tour around the city. The trolley is an on and off vehicle so you can stop wherever you want and catch the next one when you’re ready.
You may know that Savannah was Georgia’s first city. You may not know that people were free to worship as they pleased. Excluding Catholics, however. At first, rum, lawyers and slavery were forbidden. I wonder what they had against rum.
It could be that the first Sunday School started here. A fellow named Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin at a nearby plantation in 1793 and in 1912 Juliette Gordon Low formed a little organization called the Girl Scouts.
Savannah has many faces. America’s Most Haunted City has a wonderful river walk with plenty of restaurants in which to sample the local southern cuisine and enough bars to keep you from getting too thirsty. There are lots of interesting shops including the typical tourist places on River Street. And, if you don’t like “tourist shops” stop in a couple of them anyway. You might stumble upon one pulling taffy or making that delightful southern treat, pralines. And, don’t miss the City Market in the heart of the Historic District.
If you’re a shopper you’ll discover the many antique shops, galleries and gift shops with lots of local hand-crafted items and folk art that you will find nowhere else.
Savannah is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in the country. There are 22 squares that are experienced by millions every year. The beautiful sprawling oaks trees decorated by nature with the lacey Spanish moss contribute to the antebellum look of the city along with the restoration of many Colonial, Victorian, Georgian and other architectural gems.
An important part of the history of Savannah is its Black heritage. There are numerous monuments, homes, parks, churches and institutions marking this cultural aspect. I remember walking past a monument and stopping to read the inscription. I was surprised to read that the young drummer boy grew up to eventually become the King of Haiti. The oldest standing brick building in Georgia is the First African Baptist Church, built by slaves, for slaves, in the evenings following a full day of work in the fields. I’ll leave it to you to discover more about the Gullah culture when you visit.
If you haven’t read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil I would recommend you give it a look before your trip to Savannah. It might just make you curious about some of the people in this enchanting city. There is probably a festival of some sort every month so show up and join in the fun.
A couple more hours up the road and you’ll discover Augusta, another Georgia treasure. You’ve probably heard of Augusta National Golf Club, official site of the Masters Tournament, but you may not know about the National Science Center, also in Augusta. It was created by law to promote science and math education for all ages nationwide. It is a fascinating place. Take your kids or go without them, but whatever time you allot for the visit plan to tack on another hour or two. The interactive displays and hands-on exhibits may just make you forget about looking at your watch.
Augusta is filled with beautiful homes, parks, gardens and monuments. Spreading oaks covered with Spanish moss and antebellum homes. A delightful Riverwalk and a great canal that used to be used to haul cotton and other goods. Some of the old mills have been restored and converted into businesses and residences. You’ll want to visit the childhood home of Woodrow Wilson and learn a bit more about life during the Civil War and Reconstruction. 
I hope you manage to visit the Augusta Museum of History and see The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown exhibit. It is the first major exhibit dedicated to James Brown and will be at the 
museum through May 2011. James Brown was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. He grew up in Augusta and used his fame to be a positive advocate of peaceful race relations in the south.
The Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy located in the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park is a great way to spend part of your day in Augusta. The mission of the Academy is to promote environmental stewardship through education, research and public outreach with a goal of seeking solutions to healthy and sustainable natural resources. You’ll love the boardwalk and you’ll see waterfowl and maybe even an alligator or two.
I had a great time visiting this time and yes, Georgia is still on my mind! Now, I want to see the rest of the state. I’m planning to return, but just don’t know when – maybe I’ll see you there.
Keep on traveling!
Story and Photos by Robert Painter: rpainter2006@comcast.net
Photo of James Brown courtesy of Frank Christian
When You Go:
Woodbine Opry: www.woodbineopry.com
Kayaking & Canoeing info: www.upthecreektrips.com
Lady Jane Shrimp Boat: www.credlesadventures.com
Jekyll Island: www.jekyllisland.com
Savannah. There’s a lot more to this story: www.jekyllisland.com
Augusta. And, there’s more here than golf: http://www.augustaga.org
A Jewel of Isles, a poem by Licia Chenoweth
Wednesday, June 11th, 2008Along the golden isles of Georgia where marsh and ocean meet,
Lies a jewel of an island, for those who come and greet.
Her beauty unsurpassed, with sheltering oaks and pines
Where Spanish moss is draped around branches shaped by time.
A canopy of trees surround, bringing life within its midst.
Providing natures wildlife with a haven to exist
Its golden sand and rising seas peacefully come and go,
And natural dunes and driftwood form along the beaches row.
Its from this unspoiled beauty many have graced her shores
The Timucuan Indians, Horton’s, DuBignon’s and much more
From Rockefeller, Morgan, Pulitzer, Gould and Macy
Whose cottages remain today to keep alive their legacy.
And the richness of her history still captures us today.
The aura of an era gone by; when the rich would come to play.
But from this golden age in time, we know and understand
That Jekyll is ‘a jewel of isles’ where all would wish to land.
Jekyll Island Museum Tour Schedule
Monday, March 24th, 2008
Passport to the Century
Travel into the past. Hear the remarkable story
of the Jekyll Island Club in the American Gilded
Era, and enter two restored cottages filled with
rich tales and elegant furnishings.
January 2 - May 26, 2008
• 11 am, 1 pm & 3 pm daily
May 27 - September 1, 2008
• 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm & 3 pm daily
September 2 - December 5, 2008
• 11 am, 1 pm & 3 pm daily
$16 Adults • $7 Children 6-12
Free under 6 • approx 90 min
Reclaiming Past Glories
Tour the last Jekyll Island Club Cottage to be
preserved. Hear about the family that resided
in this vacation retreat and discover the steps
required to preserve the structure. Don’t miss
this rare sneak peak inside a cottage that is
only open to the public in honor of Historic
Preservation Month!
May 3-31, 2008 • Sat only • 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm
$10 Adults • $5 Children 6-12 • Free under 6 •
approx 60 min
Reclaiming Past Glories
May 2-31
Celebrate Historic Preservation Month with a special
behind the scenes tour of Hollybourne Cottage!
In Service of Others
June 17 - August 7
Explore the hidden world of the hired help at this
upscale turn of the century resort.
Hands on History
July 2 - July 30
Embark on a guided learning adventure for
family fun! Wednesdays only, 9:30 am and 11:00am.
For more information, visit our website at
www.jekyllisland.com.
To make reservations
contact the Jekyll Island
Museum at 912-635-4036
Tours operate daily except Christmas Day & New Year’s Day.
Tour availability & pricing subject to change.
Jekyll Island Development - A Historic Perspective
Sunday, March 2nd, 2008By John Hunter, Director of the Jekyll Island Museum
The question of Jekyll Island and its future is not new to the General Assembly or the citizens of Georgia. From the day it was purchased from the Jekyll Island Club in 1947, it has been a source of controversy. This place of beauty and history draws people. It creates memories and “firsts” that last generations. It is a place that is and should always be enjoyed by all. In 1950, the State of Georgia realized that for Jekyll Island to reach its full potential as a resort destination, it should be broken free from the State Parks system and direct control by the General Assembly, and be charged with a new course. This course would be codified and legislated, and would be a unique new partnership between state government and the private sector. Pre-dating the current buzz word “public/private partnership” by almost 50 years, this experiment would create the Jekyll Island State Park Authority - a state agency given the tools of the private sector to create and operate business, attract private investment, and develop a resort that provided beach access to all. A Master Plan for developing the island was completed in 1951. Using a combination of legislative appropriations, revenue bonds, and private investment a modern resort destination was created that featured golf courses, motels, residential areas, and recreational amenities while providing for care of the island’s rich natural and historic resources. This was done with the goals of maintaining 65% of the island in its natural state, make it as affordable and available as possible to all, and with the business model and mandated goal of being self-sufficient.
The bulk of development on Jekyll was completed by 1974. By the late 1970s, Jekyll had begun to suffer during a period of national economic stagnation. Downturns in tourism and the economy challenged Jekyll’s ability to remain self sufficient. As facilities aged and tourism trends shifted, and little changed on the island, a cycle of boom and bust was fostered between 1979 - 2007. When changes were planned, many were met with resistance - the Sea World type attraction in 1974, a new marina with condos in the early 1980s, the Great Dunes golf course expansion in 1994; and some were embraced - the rehabilitation of the Jekyll Island Club in 1985, continued improvement in the Historic District, the creation of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. All of these ideas were the result of trying to improve the economics of the island, knowing there are continued pressures on revenues when you are operating a resort designed and built in the 1950s but are tying to capture today’s travel markets and compete with other destinations. At all of these moments of debate, the general solution has been to fix what we have - to “update it” with fresh coat of paint, a new owner, or a renewed marketing push. At best, we would add a new attraction like Summer Waves and hope it would bring enough to the bottom line that we could improve another area. This “boom” of investment would go “bust” a few years later when people who returned to a “new” hotel found the same “old” hotel, and while they loved the island they would choose not to come back. That is not to say Jekyll Island does not have a loyal following, it does - for those who appreciate what it is and those who dream about what it could be. But many times that loyalty is based upon a visit long ago, or a memory created and shared and does not result in economic stability through frequent visitation or investment. Some of those loyalist stick it out because of that love, and keep their convention on the island for 40 years - until even they can’t justify the return to an island that just can’t meet their needs. The new visitors become harder to keep as well because while they are attracted to the island, their desire for modern accommodations and amenities drives them to other destinations. The end result of this cycle is long term stagnation. While revenues may grow, they can’t keep up with the aging facilities and their needs. You keep up to degree, but there is never enough funding for true investment that can make a lasting economic impact. Operationally, the island suffers because they get behind on technology, or new efficient methods, and business suffers because you can not compete.
So how is it solved? That is the $500 million dollar question. While money is not always the answer, in this case money is the question. Jekyll Island has a choice, create a new model for the island or continue on a well worn path. If you chose the new model who will fund it? In today’s world would the State of Georgia be able to invest $500 million in the long term sustainability of the Island? Where would the money come from? Cuts to education or transportation? A new tax from somewhere? The State of Georgia gave us that answer in 2007 - find the investment in the private sector. So today we move forward with revitalizing the island because it is what we must do. We must find new investment. We must compete. We must change. If we do not do these things, we will never see the what we all want for the Island - a thriving interactive historic district with well maintained buildings, picnic areas and public areas that are safe and free, be an eco-friendly sustainable destination, have the ability to add new amenities that meet the needs and interests of our visitors, or create educational programs and opportunities that highlight our nature and history. Worst of all, we might not be able to protect the island from future development when some decides that “enough is enough” with the question of Jekyll Island.
Happy Birthday, Jekyll Island!
Friday, February 29th, 2008By 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.
Jekyll Island Museum Schedule
Friday, February 29th, 2008
From Millionaires to the Masses
Thursday, February 14th, 2008
We love history here on Jekyll Island, and we try to use history to learn. Author June McCash has written several books and many articles about Jekyll Island, and one particular article covers the State-era of Jekyll Island and the history of the Jekyll Island State Park Authority. This article is required reading for all new employees in the sales, marketing and public relations areas. I hope you will take some time to read also, and you may be struck by the way history has a tendency to repeat itself - if we let it!
From Millionaires to the Masses
If you would like to read more about June Hall McCash, check out her new blog at http://junehallmccash.georgiawriters.org/
The First Transcontinental Phone Call
Thursday, December 27th, 2007
“What Woolworth was to the five-and-ten, what McCormick was to the harvester, Vail is to the telephone,” declared publisher B.C. Forbes. “Bell invented it, but Vail put it on the map.”
AT&T President Theodore Newton Vail also put Jekyll Island, Georgia onto the map when, thanks to his participation, it became a part of telephone history.
On January 25, 1915, the words “Hello, Jekyll Island,” reverberated across the phone lines, as Vail joined a party phone call with President Woodrow Wilson in Washington, DC, Alexander Graham Bell in New York, and Thomas Watson in San Francisco. This thrilling moment marked the ceremonial grand opening of the first transcontinental telephone service.
In 1885, Vail had created the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) by connecting existing local companies into a long distance network. Vail served as the first President of AT&T from 1885-1889.
Consolidating existing telephone companies into a single network required a great deal of money. It was Vail who interested a number of financiers in his project, including Jekyll Island Club Members J.P. Morgan and George F. Baker.
In 1889, at the age of 44, Vail retired. But in 1907, J.P. Morgan and other investors approached Vail to again take up the reins as president of AT&T. The company was having difficulty facing off with competitors in Vail’s absence.
Vail developed a bold plan for a comeback. In 1909, he announced that AT&T was going to provide nationwide telephone service through the creation of a coast-to-coast phone system. This was an ambitious goal. At the time, phone conversations were limited by technology to a distance of 2,000 miles.
Vail undertook a vigorous campaign of public relations. Investors initially protested his investment of $250,000 for marketing, arguing that everybody already knew of the existence of the telephone. He responded, “But everybody is not thinking about it.”
Vail, a Jekyll Island Club Member from 1912-1920, had intended to return to New York in time for the important phone call marking the event, but a leg injury detained him on the island.
Although Jekyll Island’s phone service was spotty, Vail was not about to miss participating in the ceremony. Jekyll Island had good connections to Brunswick, so new cables were laid from Savannah to Brunswick to ensure that the lines would function properly for the event.
Susan Albright Reed, visiting Jekyll Island that season with her family, recalled a worried Vail interrupting his dinner to test the phone lines and her father telling her, “It will be terrible if Mr. Vail can’t get through tomorrow. . . the President, Alexander Graham Bell, and Mr. Vail will all be on the line at once.”
On the day of the phone call approximately 1,500 AT&T employees stood by, ready to repair any problems along the 4,500 miles of telephone line from Jekyll Island, to New York, and across to San Francisco, in order to be sure the communications system functioned properly.
Their presence was fortunate, as a tree fall did interfere with service the morning of the call. The problem was soon corrected, however, and on January 25, Vail was able to participate in the first transcontinental phone call from Jekyll Island. Vail had a brief exchange with President Wilson in Washington, DC, who congratulated him on his great achievement. Within a year, radio telephone service was also available to Europe.
In 1919, Vail retired from AT&T for the second time. When he passed away a year later, on April 16, 1920, the telephone company he had raised from infancy owned more than 25 million miles of telephone wire and voices could carry around the world.
To learn how other Jekyll Island Club Members have influenced the nation, visit the Jekyll Island Museum on Stable Road, (912) 635-4036. Exhibits and daily tours describe the important contributions of the prominent business.
