In the 1800s, Jekyll Island was an exclusive
hunting retreat for famous millionaire
families escaping harsh winters up north
and exchanging it for the perfect tropical
Jekyll Island weather. Some of them you may
recognized, the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts,
Pulitzers and more. They hosted lavish parties
on the private island at the Jekyll Island Club.
In the 1940s, the area was sold to the state of
Georgia and became Jekyll Island State Park.
The once private retreat is now part of The
Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark
District, one of the largest preservation
projects in the southeast.
From the early Native Americans to guests
from around the world, the story of the
island has been captivating imaginations
for generations. The earliest known
archaeological sites on Jekyll Island suggest
that this island has been a destination for
more than 3,500 years. Jekyll Island, at 5,700
acres, is the smallest of Georgia’s barrier islands.
Jekyll Island has a diverse and significant
history. Being a place known to internationally
prominent business leaders, it has played
host to some important historical events.
AT&T president Theodore Vail placed the first
transcontinental telephone call from Jekyll
Island on January 25, 1915. Meetings that led
56 FARRAGUT LIFE FALL 2019
to the development of the Federal Reserve
System were held in secret on Jekyll in 1910.
Using assumed names, the men made their
way to Jekyll posing as duck hunters, then
spent approximately a week developing the
“plan,” which was proposed to Congress in
1912. Congress did not pass the plan, but
U.S. president Woodrow Wilson and others
used it as the basis for the Federal Reserve
Act, creating a central banking system for the
United States.
That rich history has remained a vital part
of the island, a completely renovated and
reimagined Jekyll Island Museum will guide
you through the cultural and natural history
of the most intriguing barrier island. The
new museum, Mosaic, features more exhibit
space, more artifacts, and is constructed
completely within the existing footprint of
the historic stables building. Throughout
the island you will step back in time as
each historic building’s story unfolds, and
the Jekyll Island Club and the National
Landmark Historic District come alive.
In 1886, Jekyll Island was purchased to
become an exclusive winter retreat, known
as the Jekyll Island Club. It soon became
recognized as “the richest, most inaccessible
club in the world.” Today, the former Club
grounds comprise a 240-acre site with 34
historic structures. The Jekyll Island Club
National Historic Landmark is one of the
largest ongoing restoration projects in the
southeastern United States, attracting curious
guests from around the world.
Jekyll Island offers an abundance of
recreational activities for visitors of all ages.
With ten miles of white sand beaches ideal for
shelling, 63 holes of golf, an outdoor tennis
complex, the Summer Waves Waterpark,
a fishing pier, Jekyll Island dolphin tours,
horseback riding tours, nature centers and
20 miles of bike trails, there is enough to keep
visitors or all ages busy.
Jekyll Island is one of the most pet-friendly
vacation destinations with all but one area
being dog-friendly. Many of the island
restaurants have outdoor dog-friendly areas
as well. Treasures are also abundant, people
come from around the globe in January to
search for glass orbs that are hidden around
the island by volunteers. The island treasures