Jekyll Island, Georgia and the Secret Meeting of 1910
“The turrets of the Jekyll Island Club rise not just from brick and timber, but from the ambitions of an age.”
Latitude: 31.0730° N | Longitude: 81.4265° W
About Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island feels timeless — a barrier island where sea oats sway in the wind, maritime forests stretch to the horizon, and historic architecture peeks from behind moss-draped oaks. Part of Georgia’s Golden Isles, the island is 65% protected parkland, ensuring its beaches, tidal creeks, and wildlife remain untouched by overdevelopment.
Biking, birding, kayaking, or simply walking Driftwood Beach at sunrise — here, the pace slows and the senses sharpen.
History
The Guale people thrived here for centuries before European arrival. The island was named for Sir Joseph Jekyll, a benefactor of the Georgia colony, in the 1700s.
In 1886, a syndicate of America’s wealthiest families — Rockefeller, Morgan, Vanderbilt, Pulitzer — purchased the island and founded the Jekyll Island Club, turning it into an exclusive winter retreat. They built grand “cottages,” hunted, sailed, and hosted glittering social seasons. A secret 1910 meeting here led to the creation of the Federal Reserve System.
1910
In November 1910, Jekyll Island quietly became the stage for one of the most consequential meetings in American financial history. Senator Nelson W. Aldrich, head of the National Monetary Commission, arrived at the exclusive Jekyll Island Club with a select group of bankers and policymakers, including Paul Warburg, Frank Vanderlip, Henry P. Davison, Charles D. Norton, and A. Piatt Andrew. Traveling in a private railcar under the guise of a duck hunting trip, they used only first names to shield their identities from the public, wary of the era’s deep suspicion toward Wall Street. Behind the club’s closed doors, they drafted the Aldrich Plan, a blueprint for a new central banking system that would stabilize the economy, issue currency, and act as a lender of last resort. While the plan itself never passed Congress, it became the foundation for the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, establishing the Federal Reserve System. In the seclusion of this Gilded Age retreat, amid salt air and oak-lined paths, the framework of America’s modern financial system quietly took shape.
Georgia purchased the island in 1947, opening it to the public. Today, the Jekyll Island Historic District preserves this Gilded Age charm.
Getting Here
By Car: From I-95, take Exit 29 to US-17 North, then GA-520 East across the causeway.
Nearest Airport: Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (15 minutes) or Jacksonville International (1 hour).
Note: There’s a small entrance fee for vehicles entering the island — a preservation measure that helps maintain facilities and habitats.
Things to Do
Driftwood Beach — A hauntingly beautiful shoreline dotted with weathered tree trunks.
Georgia Sea Turtle Center — Rehabilitation, conservation, and interactive exhibits.
Jekyll Island Golf Club — Four courses, each with coastal views and live oaks.
Dolphin-watching tours from Jekyll Island Boat Tours.
Summer Waves Water Park — Family fun with slides and a lazy river.
Outdoor Adventures
Kayak the tidal creeks with Tidelands Nature Center.
Rent bikes and follow the 20+ miles of paved island trails.
Birdwatch at the South Dunes Picnic Area — especially during migration season.
Explore Horton House Ruins, a tabby concrete home from the 1700s.
Dining
The Wharf — Waterfront dining with live music and Lowcountry shrimp boils.
Sunrise Grille — A casual spot for seafood omelets and coastal views.
Tortuga Jacks — Mexican-Caribbean fusion right on the beach.
Love Shack BBQ Shrimp & Yardbird — Smoked meats and local shrimp in a laid-back setting.
Places to Stay
Jekyll Island Club Resort — Historic elegance in restored Gilded Age grandeur.
The Westin Jekyll Island — Modern luxury with ocean views.
Home2 Suites by Hilton — Family-friendly and pet-welcoming.
Jekyll Island Campground — Under shaded live oaks, minutes from Driftwood Beach.
Shopping
Jekyll Market — Gourmet foods, picnic fixings, and island-made treats.
Whittle’s Gift Shop — Coastal gifts and décor.
Tonya’s Treasures — Jewelry and accessories inspired by the sea.
Events
Shrimp & Grits Festival (September) — Culinary competition, music, and crafts.
Holly Jolly Jekyll (December) — Thousands of lights transform the Historic District into a winter wonderland.
Turtle Crawl 5K (Spring) — Run in support of sea turtle conservation.
Insider Tips
Visit Driftwood Beach at low tide for the best photo ops.
Bring bikes or rent them — it’s the easiest way to see the island.
Book Historic District tours early in peak season.
Sunrise is spectacular from the ocean side, sunset from the marsh.
