Jekyll Island, Georgia

We spent some time late Monday afternoon on Jekyll Island.  This barrier island near the southern coastline of Georgia was once the winter retreat of some very wealthy "snowbirds."  These were people with names like  Morgan, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt and some lesser players such as Marshall Field, John J. Hill,  and Everett Macy.

The clubhouse and some homes have been well preserved and the island is operated as a Georgia State Park.  Over the years, I had missed this location until my Bloomington, Minnesota, neighbor told me about it.  It is definitely worth a side trip if you are, for example, visiting Savannah.

The island is well known in some circles for a 1910 meeting held there that eventually led to the founding of the Federal Reserve Bank.  The author of "The Creature from Jekyll Island" wrote a chapter-long account of the 1910 meeting that is worth reading for its literary merit no matter what your views on the Federal Reserve (or lack of views, for that matter) System.


The main clubhouse on the island was an elegant affair.


A more private facility was also available for a select group.


The setting features an elegance of nature.


Today, you will arrive by car through the main entrance.


But it interesting to think about pulling in on your yacht or private rail car around 1900.