JEKYLL ISLAND THROUGH THE YEARS

The State of Georgia purchased the island for $675,000, or about $6.7 million today.

Jekyll Island Authority was established as a self-supporting state agency to steward the new state park’s natural and cultural resources and protect it from overdevelopment.

The Dolphin Club opened at St. Andrews Beach, the first and only section of Georgia coast accessible to African Americans, and hosted Blues legends including Otis Redding and B.B. King.

The original Clubhouse of the Jekyll Island Club was renovated and opened as a hotel, later receiving a Historic Hotel of America designation.

A pinnacle year for revitalization, the new shopping center, Beach Village, and hotels open. The Jekyll Island Foundation also completes their Horton Pond and Skeet House projects.

With the addition of new residential communities and several new hotel properties, the island attracts more than three million annual visitors.

A drawbridge to the island was completed and opened, and Tallu Fish founded the Jekyll Island Museum, operating out of Indian Mound Cottage.

The region’s first indoor heated pool, the Aquarama, opened in 1961 at nearly Olympic-size length.

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center opened in the renovated power plant of the Jekyll Island Club.

The reimagined Jekyll Island Museum opened its doors with new interactive exhibits building upon the stories once told by the museum’s first curator, Tallu Fish.

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR ATLANTA 30334-0900

Greetings:

The tourism industry saw a significant resurgence in 2022 and without a doubt, many of those travelers had Georgia on their minds. Jekyll Island, like many of the state’s tourism attractions, began to surpass pre-pandemic levels of visitation for the first time. Georgia experienced record numbers of tourists, and this couldn’t have come at a better time for valued state assets like Jekyll Island.

The Jekyll Island Authority’s thoughtful management of its operations, dedication of its workforce, and strong commitment to stewardship have established the island as a hallmark destination, welcoming visitors from across our great state and far beyond.

Like many Georgians, Marty, our three daughters, and I have enjoyed the relaxation and recreation Jekyll Island offers. It’s a place we’re always fond of visiting with experiences we will always remember. Our most recent trip to the island included a stop at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center where we saw first-hand the commitments to conservation and preservation on our coast. It is special places like Jekyll Island that make our state attractive to both visitors and residents alike.

As we look throughout and beyond 2023, there has never been a better time to be a Georgian or to visit the Peach State. We’re prepared to continue meeting and surpassing pre-pandemic levels of economic activity in the No. 1 state for business. Jekyll’s emerging recognition as one of the southeast’s most treasured state parks ensures it will remain a destination for families, business travelers, and tourists from across our nation for years to come.

Sincerely,

Governor Brian P. Kemp

What a momentous year it has been on Jekyll Island! In my three years of serving on the board, I have witnessed the incredible dedication the JIA staff has to the island and the visitor’s experience and that has been ever so evident this anniversary year. The successes and milestones achieved, and celebrated, this past year are a direct result of their ingenuity, skill, and enthusiasm. They are a significant part of what makes this island such a special place to visit, and I am truly grateful for their daily stewardship to retain its character.

There’s no question 2022 was one for the history books. It was an exciting year of festivities and commemorations of the important 75th year of the State’s ownership of Jekyll Island. Furthermore, the year provided an opportunity for us to reflect not only on the State’s initial vision for Jekyll Island, but also the special destination it has become today. While Jekyll’s natural assets continue to be protected and relished through significant private and public partnerships and investments, the island has become a place for families to vacation, conferences to convene, travelers to unwind and businesses to thrive. This celebration should continue!

Director