Jekyll Island in Glynn County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Taking Care of Family
With a family of eight Charles Stewart Maurice quickly decided accommodations of the Club House would not suffice. In 1890 he built Hollybourne, with plenty of large open, informal spaces, a home away from home during their winter stays here on the island.
Mr. Maurice was a bridge-builder and Hollybourne makes use of these innovative structural techniques. In the attic is a truss system similar to that found on bridges. This allows large open interior spaces without apparent support; the building hangs from its upper stories.
Hollybourne is architecturally the most unusual structure in the Club compound. It was constructed of tabby, a local building material dating from colonial times. No other structure in the compound makes use of this ancient material, a mixture of oyster shells, lyme, water and sand.
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Indispensable
Charlie Hill worked for the Maurice family for decades. He was employed early on by the family as their carriage driver, but through the years became their chauffeur. With his wife Angie, he was an integral part of the life on Jekyll Island. He and his family lived in their own house just east of Hollybourne.
The Maurice family enjoyed their cottage here for over 50 years, and Charlie Hill helped make their winter visits a tradition. He was also present and assisted the Maurice daughters in packing the house up for its final season in 1942.
Erected by Jekyll Island Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Bridges & Viaducts • Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 31° 3.734′ N, 81° 25.404′ W. Marker was on Jekyll Island, Georgia, in Glynn County. Marker was on Riverview Drive, 0.2 miles south of Stable Road, on the left when traveling south. The marker is in front of the Hollybourne house, but difficult to see from the road. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 381 Riverview Drive, Jekyll Island GA 31527, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Hollybourne Cottage (here, next to this marker); Solterra Dove Cote (within shouting distance of this marker); The Active Life (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Captain Clarks Cottage (about 400 feet away); Villa Ospo (about 400 feet away); Plantation Oak (about 500 feet away); Preserving the Legacy (about 500 feet away); Villa Marianna (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jekyll Island.
Regarding Taking Care of Family. Hollybourne is part of the Jekyll Island Historic District.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Jekyll Island Historic District
Also see . . .
1. Union Bridge Company. The Union Bridge Company was a bridge fabricator and contractor with works in Buffalo, New York and Athens, Pennsylvania. The Union Bridge company was formed in 1884 as a merger of several other bridge-building firms. Partners included George S. Field of Buffalo, Edumund Hayes of Buffalo, Charles MacDonald of New York City, Thomas C. Clarke of Seabright, NY and Charles Stewart Maurice of Athens, PA (Submitted on March 30, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. The Ghost of Peg Maurice. Why does Hollybourne, which once rang with the laughter of children and reverberated with joy now sit solemnly, silently alone? It is certainly not beyond repair; in fact, it is probably one of the better-constructed cottages on the island, as Mr. Maurice persuaded his architect to use bridge-building techniques. New shingles and a heavy, nearly-opaque glass door were put in place many years ago. But this once-grand lady is aging....crumbling...weeping....why? (Submitted on March 30, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. Hollybourne Cottage Jekyll Island. Built in 1890 by Charles Stewart Maurice, this home housed the only family to be associated with the Jekyll Island Club from its inception to its final dissolution in 1948. The style was coined Jacobethan or psuedo-Jacobethan, it was an early example of an eclectic Tudor style built from about 1890 until 1940. (Submitted on March 30, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 715 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on March 16, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1. submitted on March 30, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2. submitted on March 16, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 30, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.