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

M.E. Thompson and the Purchase of Jekyll Island

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009

1. M.E. Thompson and the Purchase of Jekyll Island Marker

Inscription.

Melvin E. Thompson, Acting Governor, 1947-1949, was born in Millen, Jenkins County, Georgia, in 1903. After a career as educator and public servant, Thompson was elected Lieutenant Governor for the term beginning January, 1947. Following the death of Governor-Elect Eugene Talmadge, shortly before his inauguration, Thompson became Acting Governor until the next scheduled general election.

During his term as Acting Governor, one of his contributions to the state was the acquiring of Jekyll Island for $675,000. The state acquired Jekyll Island by a court condemnation decree, a bargain which has been compared to the original purchase of Manhattan Island. Jekyll Island has proved to be one of Georgia's greatest assets as a year round resort area.

Erected 1963 by Jekyll Island - State Park Authority.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 31° 3.296′ N, 81° 25.287′ W. Marker is on Jekyll Island, Georgia, in Glynn County. Marker is on Riverview Drive near Old Village Road, on the right when traveling north. 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. Enigma of the Island (a few steps from this marker); All Work and No Play

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(about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Infirmary / Furness Cottage (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Boat House Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jekyll Island Boat House Site, Shipshape for the Season (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Transcontinental Call (approx. 0.2 miles away); Morgan Tennis Court (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Sans Souci (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jekyll Island.

Also see . . .
1. Jekyll Island. At the end of November 1910, Senator Nelson W. Aldrich and Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Department A.P. Andrews, along with many of the country's leading financiers; who together represented about one-fourth of the world's wealth, arrived at the Jekyll Island Club to discuss monetary policy and the banking system, an event which some say was the impetus for the creation of the Federal Reserve. a Historic District registered with National Historic Landmark Status in 1978 (Submitted on March 20, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

2. Jekyll Island Historic District. National Park

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009

2. M.E. Thompson and the Purchase of Jekyll Island Marker

Service (Submitted on March 20, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

M.E. Thompson and the Purchase of Jekyll Island Marker, along Riverview Drive beside Jekyll River image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 18, 2009

3. M.E. Thompson and the Purchase of Jekyll Island Marker, along Riverview Drive beside Jekyll River

Melvin E. Thompson image. Click for full size.

Photographed By New Georgia Encyclopedia

4. Melvin E. Thompson

Credits. This page was last revised on November 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 977 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 20, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.