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. |
