Entering Georgia (again) and Jekyll Island

Monday, June 4 – Since we had that disappointing Georgia sign experience when we entered the state while going east in Week 1, we were looking forward to entering again as we came down the Atlantic Coast.  This sign along I-95, while maybe not the most beautiful, certainly gave us a good welcome.

Since we were literally just passing through the state en route to Amelia Island, Florida, we did want to make a brief stop along the Golden Isles of Georgia.  We took a detour over to Jekyll Island, not only to take a look at the historic Jekyll Island Club, but also because my aunt has a winter home here. 

The Queen-Anne style Jekyll Island Club Hotel, founded in 1886, did not disappoint.  It was created as a private, exclusive winter retreat for some of the world’s wealthiest people (like J.P. Morgan), some of which built mansion-sized “cottages” surrounding the main Club building.  Interestingly, we learned that the first transcontinental telephone call took place at the Jekyll Island Club between Alexander Graham Bell in New York, his assistant Thomas Watson in San Francisco, President Woodrow Wilson in Washington, DC, and Theodore Vail, president of AT&T in Jekyll Island.  Mr. Vail, a member of the Jekyll Island Club, was there recuperating from a leg injury, and was unable to be in New York.

Another interesting point of history: the first meeting that led to the creation of the Federal Reserve System was also held at the Jekyll Island Club. 

OK, enough history for now.