It is safe to say that Jekyll Island, Georgia is as shrouded with a mysterious past as the barrier islands of the Outer Banks. The difference between the riches of the pirates’ booty and the riches of Jekyll Island is separated by a couple of centuries.
Unlike Blackbeard’s domination of Ocracoke Sound, Jekyll Island was purchased in 1886 for $125,000 by some of the wealthiest men in America to be used as a hunting resort. The names of these owners are synonymous with the rich and famous that shaped much of America’s manufacturing and mining. Most history buffs easily recognize names such as J.P. Morgan, Joseph Pulitzer, Marshall Field, John J. Hill, Everett Macy, William Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and Richard Teller Crane. These gentlemen were the ultra-rich movers and shakers, and the decisions they made on this small island impact the American economy to this very day. Most Americans are not aware that the Federal Reserve Bank was created by these men while they were visiting Jekyll Island. As a matter of fact, the invitation that brought them to this meeting included only their first names. A clandestine operation, to say the very least, and there are some who believe that these gentlemen left tentacles of control that extend into the present.
Jekyll Island was purchased by the state of Georgia in 1947, and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1978. In 1985, work began to restore the Clubhouse, Annex and the Sans Souci into a world-class hotel and resort. Twenty million was appropriated and designated for the purpose of restoring the once great homes of these elite families. Since the facility can only be leased, great care was taken to create a faithful restoration while installing modern conveniences. The Club is once again a showcase, and is now available for everyone to enjoy. Today the 240 acre National Historic Landmark is often called "Millionaire's Village."
Accessible by car just minutes from I-95, Jekyll Island an abundance of amenities, including 10 miles of beach, four golf courses, a 250-acre Historic Landmark District, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Summer Waves Water Park, tennis center, an array of lodging options including hotels, and cottages. Owned by the State of Georgia, and managed by the Jekyll Island State Park Authority, Jekyll Island limits development to just 35 percent of its available land area. This unique aspect of Jekyll Island serves to preserve the critical barrier island ecosystem, and provide guests with a unique escape from the crowds and complications of other beach resort destinations.
The award winning golf courses, biking, horseback riding adventures as well as year-round events and activities make Jekyll Island a beach lover’s dream vacation destination.