From Millionaires to Commoners: The History of Jekyll Island State Park
502
From Millionaires to Commoners: The History of Jekyll Island State Park
502eBook
Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.
Related collections and offers
Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781546269144 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | AuthorHouse |
| Publication date: | 03/01/2019 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 502 |
| Sales rank: | 826,719 |
| File size: | 12 MB |
| Note: | This product may take a few minutes to download. |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
THE SEAR CH FOR COASTAL TOURISM
1945
World War II is finally ending, and soldiers are coming home in droves, dreaming of a peaceful future with family and friends.
Even Jekyll Island returns to its natural habitat. The soldiers from the 104th Infantry and the 725th MP Battalion who relentlessly patrolled the island day and night since the beginning of the war are now returning home to their families or their base camp in -Brunswick. The island is left behind to fight for itself, and so are the historic buildings, cottages, and handful of houses on Pier Road.
Once the home of the famous millionaires who called the island their private playground and winter retreat, the little gem looks more like a worn-out, abused, and tired stretch of coastline.
Maintenance and upkeep of the manicured lawns and beautifully tiled swimming pool, not to mention the club golf course, ceased when the millionaires abandoned their winter resort in April 1942, never to return. The island looks more like a weeping wilderness that is crying out for some tender loving care by someone, somebody, anybody.
The Sea Island Company offers to assist with the management of Jekyll Island upon the request of Bernon Prentice, president of the Jekyll Island Club. The cooperation between Alfred Jones, cofounder of the Sea Island Company, and Mr. Prentice dates to late 1942 when the club needed to find ways to make ends meet. After all, member contributions were steadily diminishing now that the club hotel decided to remain closed for the near future, and maintenance costs kept adding up. Despite Mr. Prentice's effort to find additional revenue sources to keep the Jekyll Island Club afloat by contracting with the American Creosite Company to harvest timber on the island, the club is in dire financial straits.
Mr. Jones even considers buying Jekyll Island and instructs J. D. Compton, president of his company, to prepare a feasibility study to determine whether the island is appropriate for building a small resort like the existing Cloysters. The main problem is, of course, finding enough financing, not only to restore the club hotel and its adjacent buildings and cottages but also to finance a causeway and bridge to the island, which Sea Island has benefited from since 1927.
Unfortunately, the cost is estimated at $130,000, and the only club member who can afford such an investment, Frank Gould, passes away suddenly that same year.
The study concludes that such an endeavor will not be profitable, at least not in the early years of existence, so the plans are canceled. It is not known with certainty how J. D. Compton came to this conclusion, given his involvement in the Jekyll Island State Park Authority four years later. What can be concluded is that he must have had the foresight that a competing luxury resort within proximity of Sea Island, and with access to ten miles of unspoiled, white, sandy beaches, would be detrimental to the Cloysters.
This seemingly missed opportunity ends up being a blessing for the state of Georgia and all its people.
Prior to 1945, Georgia never thought about tourism as a state industry, let alone made any investment in it. But that is about to change if Governor Ellis Arnall gets his way.
Ellis Arnall is considered one of the most progressive and liberal governors of his time, and he is one of the youngest to rise to power. His appointment to the Georgia House of Representatives at the ripe age of twenty-five was only the beginning of his stellar political career. At age twenty-nine, Governor E. D. Rivers appointed Arnall to the office of state attorney general, only to name him attorney general two years later. When in 1942, at age thirty-five, Arnall ran for governor against the popular but controversial Eugene Talmadge, he became the youngest governor in Georgia's history.
His progressive stance leads him to change Georgia's image of a tobacco road state into a progressive and liberal state — and with it the first attempt to promote Georgia as a tourist destination. Governor Arnall is also credited with creating the Georgia Teachers Retirement System, which will play an important role in the financing and construction of the first commercial motel on Jekyll Island.
Unfortunately, Georgia does not have the same white, sandy beaches of Florida or South Carolina, but that does not deter Governor Arnall. His eyes are set on all the traffic that drives through Georgia using Highway US-17, better known as the Coastal Highway, on their way to and from Daytona Beach, which is one of the most visited vacation spots.
Each year, thousands of cars pass through Georgia on their way to Florida, but few stop and spend a few days of leisure. Even Tybee Island in the north, with its stretch of north and south beach, is not inviting or enticing enough. And St. Simons Island, more specifically Sea Island, is so exclusive that it is only affordable for the rich and famous, not the average tourist or Georgian. The barrier islands in between are still privately owned, and neither is accessible by car or has infrastructure to accommodate the willing visitor.
If the passing-through tourists can be enticed to make a pit stop somewhere along their long drive to Florida, then a brand-new tourism industry in Georgia can be created — and with it a new source of income.
Less than one year later, Governor Arnall pursues his dream of creating a statewide tourism industry and appoints his protegee, Melvin E. Thompson, to chair a special state beach park committee. Charles Gowen, state representative and committee member, is credited with approaching J. D. Compton about the possible acquisition of Jekyll Island.
The search for a new industry — and the first oceanfront tourist destination — has begun. The quest for acquiring Jekyll Island and turning a once private and exclusive paradise island into a popular tourist destination and a state park is launched.
The hard road from millionaires to commoners is being prepared but paving it to gain accessibility and affordability for all will prove cumbersome.
Nevertheless, no efforts or resources will be spared to achieve this goal — and to realize Governor Ellis Arnall and Governor Melvin E. Thompson's dream.
CHAPTER 2FROM EXCLUSIVE ISLAND TO PUBLIC PARK
1946–1949
The year is 1946, and Governor Ellis Arnall is serving the last year of his term. Since he has decided not to seek reelection, it promises to become an interesting and tumultuous year — or years to come.
A legislative resolution in the newly ratified and adopted 1945 state constitution allows Georgia to acquire seashore within its borders for the development of a state park. The resolution also states that the acquisition of such land may be obtained through condemnation or eminent domain, if such is in the best interest and for the betterment of the people of Georgia.
Immediately following the ratification and the general assembly's resolution to establish a seaside state park, Governor Arnall appoints his executive secretary, Melvin E. Thompson, as the new revenue commissioner and tasks him to chair the committee to locate the perfect island for the development of a state park.
On September 26, 1946, the Brunswick News reports that the committee has chosen Jekyll Island.
The proximity of the island to the mainland, facilities already installed there, which include a golf course, swimming pool, many miles of roadways, and a large clubhouse which could be converted into a hotel, as well as the natural beauty of the island were cited by the Committee as reasons for the choice of Jekyll as the most suited on the coast for a state park.
Not a lot of information can be found about the exact reasoning or analysis that led to the single choice of Jekyll Island as the most suitable place among all Georgia's barrier islands. Suffice it to say, Commissioner Thompson and his team early on noticed that a single owner held the recorded deed of Jekyll Island, namely the Jekyll Island Club Inc., and could therefore easily be obtained. Secondly, and probably the most enticing reason for choosing Jekyll Island, was the fact that, per state revenue records, the Jekyll Island Club had been in arrear for state taxes since 1942. Add to this equation that the club was not in very good financial health, had not attempted to open or operate the Jekyll Island Club since 1942, and had seen its once prominent membership dwindle during the war.
The combination of the dire financial straits of the Jekyll Island Club and the state's desire and resolution to acquire seashore land for a state park could not have culminated at a better time for Commissioner Thompson.
Despite the committee's recommendation and the seemingly perfect alignment of circumstances, which should have favored Governor Arnall's decision to proceed with the condemnation filing, he decides to postpone the purchase. That delay would eventually turn into a political battle between his successors and those believed to be his rightfully elected successors.
Before we examine the exact process of condemnation proceedings and the ultimate unopposed acquisition of Jekyll Island, it is important that we shed some light on the surrounding circumstances of 1946–1947 and the ensuing years so that we may better understand the early years and the subsequent political, financial, and managerial challenges our newfound state park faces.
Georgia faces interesting and challenging political campaigns. Governor Arnall is not seeking another term, while Commissioner Thompson seeks the position of lieutenant governor, which was created by the 1945 state constitution.
In addition, there is the flamboyant Eugene Talmadge, a well-known and controversial political figure seeking an unprecedented fourth term in office. Mr. Talmadge served two consecutive terms as governor from 1933 through 1937 and a third term beginning in 1941. If elected, Eugene Talmadge would match Joe Brown's record of the mid-nineteenth century as the only politician to ever have been elected and serve four terms as Georgia's governor.
Given Mr. Talmadge's age and flailing health, the Democratic Party of Georgia takes their precautions to the rural counties and voting booths and makes sure their loyal followers will have the option of a write-in candidate, should Eugene pass away before he can be inaugurated.
That party-promoted write-in candidate is none other than his own son, Herman Talmadge, and one must admit that the Georgia Democratic Party had great foresight and insight, given what occurred after the election.
Eugene Talmadge, popular in the rural areas of Georgia, despite his controversial politics and his clear stance against Roosevelt's New Deal, wins the unopposed election for governor and hereby forever seals his place in state history as only the second politician to be elected four times to the highest political office in the state since Joe Brown in 1863.
During the same election, Melvin E. Thompson is elected as the very first Lt. Governor of Georgia, and all seems to be perfectly fine, except at that time, the proposed purchase of Jekyll Island is not on anybody's radar screen. At least not for now.
On December 21, 1946, the new governor-elect of the state of Georgia, Eugene Talmadge, dies and immediately gives rise to what is known as the "three governors controversy" between outgoing Gov. Ellis Arnall, Lt. Gov.-Elect Melvin E. Thompson, and Eugene Talmadge's son, Herman Talmadge, the popular and secret write-in candidate of the Democratic Party.
Immediately following the New Year's celebration, the general assembly decides to appoint the write-in candidate as the next governor — Herman Talmadge — as was standard protocol and in accordance with the Georgia State Constitution, except for one small detail.
The newly ratified 1945 State Constitution stipulated that in the event the governor or governor-elect dies, then the lieutenant governor or lieutenant governor-elect will automatically assume the duties ad interim until a special election can be called.
Lt. Gov.-Elect Melvin E. Thompson assumes the role of governor-elect as per the 1945 State Constitution, while Gov. Arnall decides to continue to act as governor until someone has been appointed or inaugurated as the new governor.
That does not deter Herman Talmadge or his fervent supporters from breaking into the governor's office in the Capitol Building, changing the locks, and taking his seat as acting governor for sixty-seven days. The Capitol Building looks more like a warzone with the National Guard showing their loyalty to their ex-navy commander Talmadge, while the Home Guard protects the interests of outgoing Gov. Arnall.
One must assume that it is impossible to conduct business in such turmoil, but Talmadge has strong support from B. E. Thrasher, the state auditor, who pledges warrants to the banks so that bills are paid, and the government can continue to operate. The warrants are an innovative way to get around the uncooperative state treasurer George Hamilton, who is a strong supporter of Gov. Arnall and loyal friend of Lt. Gov.-Elect Melvin E. Thompson and refuses to sign any checks or pay any bills, including payroll checks, without being able to affix the Seal of the State of Georgia.
The result is that three individuals claim the right to act or continue to act as governor, and the only solution is to let the state Supreme Court make a ruling on this ambivalent and dubious political case. The Supreme Court issues its ruling in March 1947 and decides that per the new state constitution, Lt. Gov.-Elect Melvin E. Thompson will and can act as governor of the state of Georgia until special elections in the fall of 1948.
Herman Talmadge graciously steps aside, following the Supreme Court ruling, and outgoing Gov. Ellis Arnall vacates his office so that state business may be conducted as usual without further interference.
Herman Talmadge's gesture to step down voluntarily and vacate his self-appropriated office in the Capitol Building will win him enormous respect and support of voters in the upcoming election, despite his controversial and racial politics.
One of the great stories told many years later comes from Ben Fortson, secretary of state during those controversial times. Neither of the self-proclaimed governors could execute the office they claimed to represent because neither of them could find the great Seal of the State of Georgia. Ben Fortson carefully protected the seal that was entrusted to him by keeping it hidden under the cushion of his wheelchair until the Supreme Court could make a ruling. Nobody ever suspected Fortson of this mischievous act, and if they had, nobody at that time would have had the courage to search his wheelchair. It is, however, widely known and well documented that all parties involved searched each other's offices relentlessly to locate the great Seal of the State of Georgia.
Three months after the state Supreme Court ruling, Gov. Thompson pursues the purchase of Jekyll Island. Contrary to general belief or perception, the State did not immediately start condemnation proceedings against the Jekyll Island Club to obtain Jekyll Island and create a state park. Even during Gov. Arnall's tenure, several written communications were exchanged between the Governor's Office, the legislation, and Bernon Prentice, president of the Jekyll Island Club. The written exchanges between the two parties, however, were merely an attempt to test the waters of a possible friendly sale-purchase agreement and were never pursued in earnest. Prior to the gubernatorial race of 1946, all communications halted with one last letter from Gov. Arnall stating that the State was no longer interested in an acquisition.
Gov. Thompson however, now clearly able to pursue his dream, picks up the conversation with the Jekyll Island Club again, this time with a proposal directed at J. D. Compton, president of the Sea Island Company, and Alfred "Bill" Jones, cofounder of the Sea Island Company and overseer of Jekyll Island during the war years.
On May 19, 1947, Gov. Thompson makes an official purchase offer for Jekyll Island and all its improvements in the amount of $600,000 as "fair compensation." The answer back is that the island is not for sale. While the answer may puzzle some, it needs to be understood that despite all the financial troubles of the Club, some members still believed that the island could be saved through the formation of a syndicate. History proves that such attempt was futile, but nevertheless, the initial refusal to sell contributed to the expeditious condemnation filings.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "From Millionaires to Commoners"
by .
Copyright © 2019 Nick Doms.
Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments, ix,
Preface, xi,
Introduction, xv,
Part I: 1945–1986,
Chapter 1 The Search for Coastal Tourism, 1,
Chapter 2 From Exclusive Island to Public Park, 5,
Chapter 3 The Battle for the Bridge, 25,
Chapter 4 An Island Crippled by Political Monopoly, 59,
Chapter 5 The Growing Pains of an Island, 83,
Chapter 6 An Island Rises from the Marshes1, 19,
Chapter 7 The State Park-Island Resort Oxymoron, 143,
Chapter 8 The Signs of Historic Decline, 165,
Chapter 9 An Island at Crossroads, 193,
Chapter 10 The Road to Historic Preservation, 239,
Part II: 1987–2015,
Chapter 11 The Period of Stagnation and Hesitation, 275,
Chapter 12 The Financial Conundrum, 301,
Chapter 13 The Cosmetic Change Hides the Ugly, 321,
Chapter 14 The New Bridge to an Old Island Resort, 333,
Chapter 15 Setting a New Course, 343,
Chapter 16 The Hard Road to Reinventing Jekyll, 363,
Chapter 17 Jekyll Becomes Every Developer's Favored Child, 393,
Chapter 18 Island Development: Slower, Smaller, 413,
Chapter 19 The Final Cut, 429,
Epilogue, 451,
Addendum 1, 453,
Addendum 2, 457,
Addendum 3, 463,
Addendum 4, 467,
Addendum 5, 471,
Bibliography, 473,
About the Author, 477,
About the Book, 479,