UGA Cooperative Extension: Georgia 4-H

Jekyll Island 4-H Center:
History

In March 1956, several African-American business owners formed the St. Andrews Beach Corporation and built the Dolphin Club and Motor Hotel, a motel for the African-American visitors to the island.

The motel was opened in August 1959, but in late 1959, the corporation was dissolved and the hotel sold to the Jekyll Island Authority. In the early 1960's the motel had 58 room which rented for $8.50 per night.

The Dolphin Club Lounge and Restaurant was located across from the motel and contained a lobby with restrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, two small private dining areas, and a night club. The Dolphin Club Lounge attracted prominent African-American entertainers including Clarence Carter, Tyrone Davis, Millie Jackson, Percy Sledge, and others.

The auditorium, called the St. Andrews Auditorium, was built in June 1960 to maintain the requirements of separate but equal facilities for the island. It was used for family reunions and dances and in 1964, was the venue for an Otis Redding Concert. After desegregation, the building was rarely used.

The Dolphin Club and Motor Hotel closed in June 1966. The building was used off and on for a group camp and youth center from the late 1960's until the late 1970's.

In June 1983, the Dolphin Club Hotel, Lounge, Auditorium, and beach pavilion were leased to the Georgia 4-H program for use as a 4-H Center summer camp. In 1987, the program was expanded to include a year round environmental education program.

In February 2003, the facility temporarily closed to undergo major renovations. In August 2003, it reopened with a new look to the exterior of the building.

Some of the major changes included reorienting the building so that the doors exit into the courtyard, the plumbing, electrical, and safety systems were upgraded, amenities such as satellite television, high-speed internet, and telephone capabilities were added to some of the rooms, and the VIP rooms updated. The parking lot was redesigned to include natural islands that will one day provide shade and green space for the parking lot.

Note: Historic photos courtesy of the Jekyll Island Museum. Information on the history of the Jekyll Island 4-H Center was taken from Images of America: Jekyll Island State Park by Tyler E. Bagwell.