No, I am not taking you back to 1933. That is a period other authors are much better informed about. I am talking about Jekyll Island State Park, and how it finally allowed to sell beer, wine, and liquor on the island.
Since inception in 1947, the island had been “dry”, which is a strange image if you think about it. A barrier island, surrounded by water and yet completely “dry” on land.
But how dry was the island really? That depends on who you ask and on who you believe. There are certainly plenty of stories and rumors about beer and liquor being served on the island ever since the first hotel restaurants opened in 1957. Although there has never been any substantiated proof, it was common knowledge among hotel guests and residents that both the Jekyll Island Club Hotel and Crews Restaurant at the Wanderer Motel served alcohol to their patrons.
Alcohol could of course be purchased off the island and be consumed privately, but none could be purchased on the island, packaged or by the glass, until 1971.
Gov. Vandiver even reiterated his predecessor’s stance on the topic in a Brunswick News article on January 1, 1959: “…no state license to sell alcohol on Jekyll Island as long as I am Governor…” Although Dixon Oxford, the new State Revenue Director, had issued preliminary liquor licenses to the Wanderer Motel and the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, the Governor’s staunch position meant that both licenses were revoked immediately.
The alcohol prohibition would continue until April 1971, when island residents filed a petition with the Authority to hold a referendum to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on Jekyll Island.
The request for a referendum was based on the change and amendment in 1964 to the “Revenue Tax Act to Legalize and Control Alcoholic Beverages and Liquors”*
The petition was granted, and a special election was held on May 18, 1971**
Needless to say that the referendum passed almost unanimously, but there was some opposition from Rev. James W. Adkins and Rep. “Gene” Leggett.
The new liquor licenses initially only applied to on-premise consumption, thereby omitting any wholesale or package store. That little oversight was quickly corrected and within one week the first application to open a package store on the island was received by the Authority.
The hotels and motels immediately took advantage of the new ordinance, and started serving beer and wine during lunch and dinner. Those with an existing lobby bar saw their business grow and flourish.
The era of prohibition had finally ended, and “Happy Hour on the Island” was invented. Legally!
If you are interested in learning more about the history of Jekyll Island State Park, click here for more information about the book.
Stay tuned for more episodes of my weekly blog.
*Ga. Law 1964, p.771 (Ga. Code Ann. 58-1083)
** Mr. Frederick Griffith Jr. served as election superintendent and three election clerks were appointed: Roger Beedle, Louise Tennent, and Charles Rockwood.
