When the State of Georgia bought Jekyll Island and the exclusive Jekyll Island Club for use as a state park 75 years ago, Governor M.E. Thompson declared the island “a playground that now belongs to every Georgian.” For the first time in its history, a sizeable portion of Georgia’s coastline became available for public use. Plans were quickly implemented to “transform Jekyll into the finest seashore park in America,” from a fading millionaire’s retreat to a public treasure.
Discover Jekyll Island’s past, present, and future within the pages of this commemorative collection celebrating the island’s 75th anniversary as Jekyll Island State Park. Journey from the days of the early Native Americans through the Gilded Age and into the modern era through stories of Georgia’s most unique barrier island.
“A playground that now belongs to every Georgian.”
