Jekyll Island in Glynn County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

What Was Here Before?

Jekyll Island

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, August 23, 2020

1. What Was Here Before? Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Great Dunes Park is named for the historic Great Dunes Gulf Course, designed by Walter Travis. Travis was considered the most successful amateur golfer in the United States during the 1900s and 1910s. The golf course was an 18-hole course built for the Jekyll Island Club. The course opened for play in 1928. Great Dunes was the center of golf activities on the island from its opening until the close of the Jekyll Island Club in 1942. Once the Club closed, there were no workers to keep the course maintained and nature quickly took over. By 1955, severe erosion and development on the island marked the demise of the back 9 holes of the Great Dunes Golf Course. The excavated dirt was used to build the island’s causeway and other nearby road networks. This excavation cleared the area , making way for what is now Beachview Drive behind you. The 9 remaining holes of Great Dunes Golf Course are still open today.

Peppermint Land Amusement Park
After the dunes were cleared and Beachview Drive was completed, a contract was signed to bring an amusement park to the island. Peppermint Land Amusement Park was

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opened in the late 1950s and operated for nearly 10 years along the beach in this location. The park showcased several rides, including a Ferris wheel, small roller coaster, and go-carts. Hurricane Dora came through the area in 1964 and destroyed most of the park rides including the Ferris wheel. The amusement park closed in 1965.

Erected by Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports.

Location. 31° 2.835′ N, 81° 24.645′ W. Marker is on Jekyll Island, Georgia, in Glynn County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Main Street and Ocean Way, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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 marker. A different marker also named What Was Here Before? (within shouting distance of this marker); Great Dunes: A Golf Tradition (approx. half a mile away); Jekyll Island Boat House Site, Shipshape for the Season (approx. ¾ mile away); The Boat House Site (approx. ¾ mile away); M.E. Thompson and the Purchase of Jekyll Island (approx. 0.8 miles away); Enigma of the Island (approx.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, August 23, 2020

2. What Was Here Before? Marker

0.8 miles away); The Infirmary / Furness Cottage (approx. 0.8 miles away); Old World Charm (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jekyll Island.

Photo Insert 1: 1928 – Great Dunes Golf Course Opens image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, August 23, 2020

3. Photo Insert 1: 1928 – Great Dunes Golf Course Opens

Photo Insert 2: 1942 – Jekyll Island Club Closes image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, August 23, 2020

4. Photo Insert 2: 1942 – Jekyll Island Club Closes

Photo Insert 3: 1948 – Jekyll Island Opens As A State Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, August 23, 2020

5. Photo Insert 3: 1948 – Jekyll Island Opens As A State Park

Photo Insert 4: 1956-1965 – Peppermint Land Amusement Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, August 23, 2020

6. Photo Insert 4: 1956-1965 – Peppermint Land Amusement Park

Photo Insert 7: 2015 – Beach Village Opens image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, August 23, 2020

7. Photo Insert 7: 2015 – Beach Village Opens

Photo Insert 8: Late 1950s – Mid 1960s – Peppermint Land Amusement Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, August 23, 2020

8. Photo Insert 8: Late 1950s – Mid 1960s – Peppermint Land Amusement Park

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2020. This page has been viewed 141 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on September 29, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 28, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 7, 8. submitted on September 29, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.