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Jim Gallen's Reviews > Island Passages: An Illustrated History of Jekyll Island, Georgia
Island Passages: An Illustrated History of Jekyll Island, Georgia
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Jekyll Island, Georgia is a special place, with exquisite scenery and a unique history. “Island Passages” is its tale.
The rise and fall of sea levels shaped the coast of southeastern Georgia. Chapter one begins 50,000 years ago and examines geological changes to the present. The ocean ebbed and surged, rivers changed course, fossils were deposited, storms battered, shores eroded and were replenished, marshes drained and flora and fauna left their marks.
Humans make their appearance in Chapter Two, from nomadic paleoindians from 12,000 years ago to the arrival of Europeans around 1735. Settlements can be located from deposits of oyster shells, shell rings, pottery and tools. Lifestyles are reflected in food and language.
European settlers brought their quests for empire. The third chapter is the account of the struggle between Spaniards in Florida and English in Georgia. Settlers arrived at the end of trans-Atlantic voyages. Among the most significant was 1735-1736 voyage of the 220-ton Symond that brought James Oglethorpe, founder of Georgia, and brothers John and Charles Wesley, who would later achieve renown as founders of Methodism. Traveling with its sister ship, London Merchant and armed sloop, HMS Hawk, their crossing was typical for the time. Passengers and crew suffered while laying at anchor for weeks on the English coast awaiting favorable weather. Aboard were Moravians from today’s Czech Republic, Scots Highlanders, Lutheran Salzburgers, other German speaking refugees, and English middle class and slum dwellers. High winds and rough seas encountered during the eight-week transit ended with the navigation of the shoals between St. Simons and Jekyll.
Chapter four focuses on the arrival of the du Bignon family, refugees from Revolutionary France. Their promotion of the plantation production of sea island cotton would influence Jekyll’s economy for generations.
The fifth chapter relates the trek from Africa to Jekyll. Particular attention is devoted to the 1858 voyage of Wanderer, arguably the last slaver to bring a sizeable number of slaves to the United States. Cruising west African shores for weeks, Wanderer loaded perhaps 500 slaves, evaded the African squadron, an American and British naval fleet tasked with indicting the slave trade. Anchoring off Jekyll, the cargo was off-loaded, an event commemorated by an historical marker today and identifiable descendants of Wanderer captives. Among the sidebars is an interesting account of Face Jugs produced by Wanderer captives.
Along with the rest of the country, Civil War laid it hand on Jekyll. Defending Confederate troops and guns were withdrawn to other sectors and Union troops occupied the island. Planters retreated with their slaves to mainland locales and returned to rebuild on ruined plantations.
With the return of peace, a new chapter in Jekyll’s life began with the founding of the Jekyll Island Club, a luxury hunting club catering to the richest of the rich Yankee industrialists. Astors, Gooodyears, Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Morgans, Pulitizers and their peers made Jekyll their winter playground from 1886 until the beginning of World War II. I find this to be the most interesting period Jekyll history. Land transportation and docking facilities were established to accommodate yachts of Club members. The photo of the Corsair that transported J. P. Morgan to Jekyll hints at the luxury of the age.
The end of World War II turned a new page in Jekyll history. Superseded by resorts in Florida and elsewhere, Jekyll Club closed and the island became a political footballt between proponents and opponents of state purchase for use as a state park. Proponents prevailed, but its operations were sufficiently hampered to prevent the park from becoming a major tourist attraction.
Jekyll is a special place and author Jingle Davis has captured it in a special, coffee-table book. The text relates history in an informative and entertaining fashion, supplemented by maps and portraits. The Index aids finding what you think you remember and the Bibliography is a guide to further reading. The scenic photos, historic and contemporary, of land and sea are spectacular and set this tome apart from others. I was given Island Passages in preparation for a Jekyll Island vacation. What I read before the departure gave me ideas of what to look for, and post-trip generated pleasant memories and answered lingering questions. Whether seeking a worthwhile read, or a treat for your guests, readers will be pleased with “Island Passages”.
by
Jekyll Island, Georgia is a special place, with exquisite scenery and a unique history. “Island Passages” is its tale.
The rise and fall of sea levels shaped the coast of southeastern Georgia. Chapter one begins 50,000 years ago and examines geological changes to the present. The ocean ebbed and surged, rivers changed course, fossils were deposited, storms battered, shores eroded and were replenished, marshes drained and flora and fauna left their marks.
Humans make their appearance in Chapter Two, from nomadic paleoindians from 12,000 years ago to the arrival of Europeans around 1735. Settlements can be located from deposits of oyster shells, shell rings, pottery and tools. Lifestyles are reflected in food and language.
European settlers brought their quests for empire. The third chapter is the account of the struggle between Spaniards in Florida and English in Georgia. Settlers arrived at the end of trans-Atlantic voyages. Among the most significant was 1735-1736 voyage of the 220-ton Symond that brought James Oglethorpe, founder of Georgia, and brothers John and Charles Wesley, who would later achieve renown as founders of Methodism. Traveling with its sister ship, London Merchant and armed sloop, HMS Hawk, their crossing was typical for the time. Passengers and crew suffered while laying at anchor for weeks on the English coast awaiting favorable weather. Aboard were Moravians from today’s Czech Republic, Scots Highlanders, Lutheran Salzburgers, other German speaking refugees, and English middle class and slum dwellers. High winds and rough seas encountered during the eight-week transit ended with the navigation of the shoals between St. Simons and Jekyll.
Chapter four focuses on the arrival of the du Bignon family, refugees from Revolutionary France. Their promotion of the plantation production of sea island cotton would influence Jekyll’s economy for generations.
The fifth chapter relates the trek from Africa to Jekyll. Particular attention is devoted to the 1858 voyage of Wanderer, arguably the last slaver to bring a sizeable number of slaves to the United States. Cruising west African shores for weeks, Wanderer loaded perhaps 500 slaves, evaded the African squadron, an American and British naval fleet tasked with indicting the slave trade. Anchoring off Jekyll, the cargo was off-loaded, an event commemorated by an historical marker today and identifiable descendants of Wanderer captives. Among the sidebars is an interesting account of Face Jugs produced by Wanderer captives.
Along with the rest of the country, Civil War laid it hand on Jekyll. Defending Confederate troops and guns were withdrawn to other sectors and Union troops occupied the island. Planters retreated with their slaves to mainland locales and returned to rebuild on ruined plantations.
With the return of peace, a new chapter in Jekyll’s life began with the founding of the Jekyll Island Club, a luxury hunting club catering to the richest of the rich Yankee industrialists. Astors, Gooodyears, Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Morgans, Pulitizers and their peers made Jekyll their winter playground from 1886 until the beginning of World War II. I find this to be the most interesting period Jekyll history. Land transportation and docking facilities were established to accommodate yachts of Club members. The photo of the Corsair that transported J. P. Morgan to Jekyll hints at the luxury of the age.
The end of World War II turned a new page in Jekyll history. Superseded by resorts in Florida and elsewhere, Jekyll Club closed and the island became a political footballt between proponents and opponents of state purchase for use as a state park. Proponents prevailed, but its operations were sufficiently hampered to prevent the park from becoming a major tourist attraction.
Jekyll is a special place and author Jingle Davis has captured it in a special, coffee-table book. The text relates history in an informative and entertaining fashion, supplemented by maps and portraits. The Index aids finding what you think you remember and the Bibliography is a guide to further reading. The scenic photos, historic and contemporary, of land and sea are spectacular and set this tome apart from others. I was given Island Passages in preparation for a Jekyll Island vacation. What I read before the departure gave me ideas of what to look for, and post-trip generated pleasant memories and answered lingering questions. Whether seeking a worthwhile read, or a treat for your guests, readers will be pleased with “Island Passages”.
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
December 2, 2023
– Shelved
