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

The Dolphin Motor Hotel

Historic St. Andrews Beach

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 13, 2018

1. The Dolphin Motor Hotel Marker

Inscription.

The Dolphin Motor Hotel. Historic St. Andrews Beach. , The St. Andrews Beach Corporation formed in early 1956 to build a motel and restaurant here on Jekyll Island's once segregated South End. The company included many successful black business owners from Brunswick. In partnership with the Jekyll Island Authority, it created a notable resort destination for African Americans on Jekyll Island. , The St. Andrews Beach Corporation began building the Dolphin Club and Motor Hotel at this location in 1958. By August 1959, the motel was open for business. The enterprise was short lived due to financial difficulties, and the Jekyll Island Authority soon bought the resort for $299,000. , In 1960, the Jekyll Island Authority leased the Dolphin Club property to Dave Jackson, a prosperous and respected black farmer, banker, and businessman from Adel, Georgia. , Jackson relied on his family to help run the Dolphin Club resort. His two sisters, Annabelle Robinson and Betty Chandler, managed the Dolphin Club's hotel, while his nephew, James Chandler, oversaw the restaurant and lounge. , Under the Jackson family, the Dolphin Club became a popular vacation destination for African Americans. The Dolphin Club and Motor Hotel offered 58 rooms, available for $8.50 per night, at one of the prettiest beaches on the island. However, the segregated beach resort was eventually declared unprofitable following integration. The property reverted back to the Jekyll Island Authority after Jackson's lease expired. , (sidebar) , New Life for the Dolphin , The life of the facility as the Dolphin Club and Motor Hotel was short lived due to the integration of the island's amenities. Dave Jackson closed the operation in June of 1966, due to lack of business. , The Jekyll Island Authority reinvented the site as a Group Camp and Youth Center in 1968. The buildings hosted church groups and youth oriented organizations. By 1970, sports fields were added to the northern side of the complex. , The Georgia 4-H first leased the site in 1983, beginning with limited courses for youth groups and schools. By 1987, the organization offered a successful year-round environmental education program that continues to this day.

The St. Andrews Beach Corporation formed in early 1956 to build a motel and restaurant here on Jekyll Island's once segregated South End. The company included many successful black business owners from Brunswick. In partnership with the Jekyll Island Authority, it created a notable resort destination for African Americans on Jekyll Island.

The St. Andrews Beach Corporation began building the Dolphin Club and Motor Hotel at this location in 1958. By August 1959, the motel was open for business. The enterprise was short lived due to financial difficulties, and the Jekyll Island Authority soon bought the resort for $299,000.

In 1960, the Jekyll Island Authority leased the Dolphin Club property to Dave Jackson, a prosperous and respected black farmer, banker, and businessman from Adel, Georgia.

Jackson relied on his family to help run the Dolphin Club resort. His two sisters, Annabelle Robinson and Betty Chandler, managed the Dolphin Club's hotel, while his nephew, James Chandler, oversaw the restaurant and lounge.

Under the Jackson family, the Dolphin Club became a popular vacation destination for African Americans. The Dolphin Club and Motor Hotel offered 58 rooms, available for $8.50 per night, at one of the prettiest beaches on the island. However, the segregated beach resort was eventually

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declared unprofitable following integration. The property reverted back to the Jekyll Island Authority after Jackson's lease expired.

(sidebar)
New Life for the Dolphin

The life of the facility as the Dolphin Club and Motor Hotel was short lived due to the integration of the island's amenities. Dave Jackson closed the operation in June of 1966, due to lack of business.

The Jekyll Island Authority reinvented the site as a Group Camp and Youth Center in 1968. The buildings hosted church groups and youth oriented organizations. By 1970, sports fields were added to the northern side of the complex.

The Georgia 4-H first leased the site in 1983, beginning with limited courses for youth groups and schools. By 1987, the organization offered a successful year-round environmental education program that continues to this day.

Erected 2016 by Jekyll Island Authority.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1966.

Location. 31° 1.011′ N, 81° 25.597′ W. Marker is on Jekyll Island, Georgia, in Glynn County. Marker can be reached from South Beachview Drive, 2.3 miles south of Jekyll Island Causeway (Georgia Route 520), on the

Marker photo detail: Dolphin Motor Hotel, circa 1960 image. Click for full size.

2. Marker photo detail: Dolphin Motor Hotel, circa 1960

left when traveling south. Marker is located inside the grounds of Camp Jekyll, near the northeast corner of Camp Jekyll's Heron Cabin. Enter Camp Jekyll from South Beachview Drive, then proceed (on foot) along the walkway through the commons to the Heron Cabin (former site of the Dolphin Motor Hotel). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 550 South Beachview 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 marker. The Beach Pavilion (within shouting distance of this marker); The Dolphin Club Lounge (within shouting distance of this marker); Beach Access (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Andrews Beach (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Separate But Equal? (about 500 feet away); The Wanderer — Arrival (approx. half a mile away); The Wanderer — Built For Speed (approx. half a mile away); The Wanderer — Timeline: Continued (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jekyll Island.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Historic St. Andrews Beach

Marker photo detail: Dolphin Motor Hotel and St. Andrews Beach Pavilion, 1960 image. Click for full size.

3. Marker photo detail: Dolphin Motor Hotel and St. Andrews Beach Pavilion, 1960

Marker photo detail: Jekyll Island Group Camp & Youth Center, 1968 image. Click for full size.

4. Marker photo detail: Jekyll Island Group Camp & Youth Center, 1968

The Dolphin Motor Hotel Marker (<i>tall view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 13, 2018

5. The Dolphin Motor Hotel Marker (tall view)

The Dolphin Motor Hotel Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 13, 2018

6. The Dolphin Motor Hotel Marker (wide view)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 17, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 775 times since then and 106 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 17, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.