Jekyll Island
THE HISTORIC DISTRICT ➤
Jekyll Island National Historic Landmark
District is one of the largest historic districts
in the country, with its 240-acre site and 34
historic structures. In the early 1900s, it was the
grounds for the world’s most exclusive club,
today known as the Jekyll Island Club Resort.
Riverview Dr.
FAITH CHAPEL
Faith Chapel, built in 1904, served as a non-
denominational chapel for members of the
Jekyll Island Club. The simple design reflects
the relaxed feel of the island. One of the
windows is a magnificent, signed example
of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s work. Tours available
daily. 375 Riverview Dr. 912.635.4036
The completely renovated and reimagined Jekyll
Island Museum will guide you through the rich
cultural and natural history of Georgia’s most
intriguing barrier island. In-depth and
interactive exhibits will draw you in, while
stunning visuals and audio will tell the tale of
this magical island. Tours available daily.
100 Stable Road 912.635.4036
MOSAIC, THE JEKYLL
ISLAND MUSEUM
HORTON HOUSE
The Horton House is one of the oldest tabby
buildings in Georgia. Major William Horton
constructed this home in 1743. It has won an
Excellence in Preservation award from the
Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.
1145 Riverview Dr.
History photos courtesy of Coastal Georgia Historical Society, Jekyll Island Museum
Archives, and Sea Island.
1858
1831
NEPTUNE SMALL was born into
slavery at Retreat Plantation on
St. Simons Island. Small later
built a house north of the
St. Simons Pier in an area now
known as Neptune Park. View a
sculpture of Neptune Small by
local artist Kevin Pullen at the
Golden Isles Welcome Center,
529 Beachview Dr. Learn more
on page 31.
28
THE WANDERER, the last ship to
smuggle enslaved people from
West Africa to America, made
landfall on Jekyll Island. Congress
passed the Slave Importation Act
in 1807, making slave importa-
tion illegal. The Wanderer, a sail-
ing vessel known for its high
speed, was secretly converted
into a slave ship. The ship arrived
on Jekyll Island with 409 slaves,
and news rapidly spread. The
ship owners were taken to
federal court, but prosecutors
were unable to prove the case,
resulting in a not-guilty verdict.
1859
FIRST AFRICAN BAPTIST
CHURCH was organized at Pike’s
Bluff Plantation on St. Simons
Island. At most plantations
across the South, slaves were
prohibited from practicing
religion. However, slaves
on St. Simons Island had the
opportunity to form a church
and congregate regularly. Slaves
from the island’s plantations
attended First African Baptist
Church each Sunday. The church
can be visited at 5800 Frederica
Road, St. Simons Island.
1886
The elite JEKYLL ISLAND CLUB
was established after the island
was purchased for $125,000.
The Club was built by 1887 and
opened its doors to the Pulitzers,
Rockefellers, Goodyears, Morgans,
and the like. The rich and famous
enjoyed Jekyll Island each year
from Christmas to Easter until the
start of World War II. The state of
Georgia bought the island in 1947.