Written by Len Ziehm with Pictures by Joy Sarver
Without question, Jekyll Island is the very best state park in Georgia and it has received a sparkling new look. The 600 residents on the island, located on Georgia’s Atlantic Coast, between Savannah, and Jacksonville, enjoy the relaxed life only an island oasis like Jekyll Island can provide.
Island attractions include, a 22-mile bike/hiking trail, the Sea Turtle Center, a water park, The Wharf restaurant, the enchanting Driftwood Beach, tennis courts, croquet, fishing centers, horse stables, a wide variety of lodging, plus a camp ground, as well as 63 holes of golf.
If you are a history buff, there really isn’t another place quite like Jekyll Island, plus the island underwent a $25 million renovation that touched nearly every area of this historic property.
“A Master Plan was put into effect 10-12 years ago,’’ said Kevin Baker, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Jekyll Island Club Resort. “That included a Convention Center and Beach Village. The majority of the big construction is done. A lot of things have been completed and the Master Plan is pretty much complete.’’
Back in 1888, fifty of the wealthiest families in America combined to create “the richest, most exclusive and most inaccessible club in the world.’’
Early members included J.P. Morgan, William Rockefeller, Vincent Astor, Joseph Pulitzer, William Vanderbilt and Marshall Field. The club became known as a “Southern Haven for America’s Millionaires.’’
Guests arrived by boat and traveled around the island in carriages. Electricity was available before it came to most of the rest of the country. Life was good on this little slice of heaven.
Residents designed their own cottages and the variety of architectural styles adds to the beauty and mystique of the island.
In addition to the Jekyll Island Club Resort hotel, 12 cottages were built by members. The biggest being the Crane Cottage (Crane Plumbing), which had 20 guest rooms and 17 baths. The recent renovation reduced the number of guest rooms to 13 and is popular housing option for destination weddings held on Jekyll.
In 1896, famed banker J.P. Morgan built the San Souci Cottage and introduced the shared ownership concept with it becoming the first condominium. The Federal Reserve System got its start at a secret meeting of the nation’s business titans, held here, in 1907. The first transcontinental phone call was also made from Jekyll, in 1915.
The USGA also used the nine-hole golf course to test new products and certify them for use in the United States.
The island’s downfall began during the Great Depression of the 1930’s and World War II sped up the process. Members were afraid that German submarines could invade local waters and they sold their cottages, bringing an end to “the Club Era.’’
From 1942 to 1948 the island deteriorated. Items left behind by the rich and famous were stored and in 1948, Jekyll was declared a State Park. The flavor of the good old days was missing until recently, when the Jekyll Island Club was upgraded.
“Every single guest room was completely renovated. More color was brought into the rooms. In the past everything was painted white. The exterior of the buildings hasn’t changed, but now the colors in the rooms really pop. We maintained the historic rooms. It was a modern take on history. It’s been more like a coastal eclectic look while honoring the past.’’
The rooms have all been tastefully redone. All have fireplaces, and the Grand Dining Room was completely renovated and serves breakfast, as well as a delicious Sunday buffet.
“The guest rooms are now at the level of comfort and style of the luxury hotels, but what makes us special is our history.’’
The Mosaic Museum is the base for daily guided tours of the island. Visitors can also traverse the island by bicycles, which are readily available.
Other lodging on Jekyll include, a Marriott, Hilton, Westin, Holiday Inn and Days Inn hotels.
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center and Driftwood Beach are not to be missed.
Beach Village is separate from the Historic District and features the Eighty Ocean Kitchen and Bar, plus a splash pad has been added for youngsters. The Village is also loaded with shops, which makes it an ideal spot to take a relaxing stroll and retail therapy.
Churches are in abundance, too, starting with the Faith Chappel that opened as an interdenominational church for members in 1904. It now offers an Episcopal service and there are also Baptist, Catholic, Presbyterian and Methodist churches.
One thing that you can’t miss are the magnificent trees. The one that stands out is a Plantation Oak. It’s the biggest and oldest, estimated to be 350 years old.
Jekyll Island celebrates its history, but the recent renovations provide a modern and relaxed vibe for every traveler.
