The true history of the amphitheater is slowly being forgotten, as are its early and humble beginnings. This once popular and family-friendly island attraction most definitely deserves its rightfully owned place in history, if not for anything but its perpetual memory in the minds of thousands of early visitors and residents; a memory that slowly fades with time passing by.

Once a main attraction of artistic and cultural beauty, it is now unfortunately gently absorbed by natural vegetation; embraced and hugged by trees and shrubs whose compassion can only be admired as a sign of respect and yes, fond family memories.

What may have been forgotten throughout recent history is the persistence of the Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs, under the direction of Mrs. Nix, that ultimately led to the construction of the amphitheater*.

In 1972, the Authority finally agreed to construct an outdoor theater to support the Arts, the date and timing of which should not go unnoticed.

Remember that in 1966, The Jekyll Island Arts Association (JIAA) found its early beginnings under the leadership of Dewey Scarboro, who not only rented Villa Ospo, but was also very well known as a patron of the arts and an avid collector of international art**. The opening of Villa Ospo in 1971 as a permanent art exhibit, the creation of the JIAA, and the subsequent construction of an outdoor performing arts venue cannot simply be disassociated from each other.

That still leaves the question why such an outdoor venue would be built on the island as an amphitheater rather than any other more accommodating structure. To answer that question, we need to go back to 1948.

Two years before the first Authority Board requested Robert & Co. to design a development plan***, a largely unknown and ignored plan was created by Mr. Clark and his NY development firm. The initial design was based on the development of Robert Moses State Park and Jones Beach, Long Island, NY.

For those of you familiar with Jones Beach, the main feature and attraction is the amphitheater, with the ocean serving as a backdrop for the stage and the patrons having a perfect view of the performing artists as well as the endless ocean.

Can you start to see the similarities?

The only difference is of course the pond, rather than the ocean, and, most memorably, the gnats and other annoying creatures that are mostly absent on Jones Beach. Other than that, there is no denying that this is what M.E. Thompson ultimately envisioned for the island: supporting the arts in all its shape and forms, for the benefit of the average Georgian, and within the island’s natural settings.

Fate would have it that although the Amphitheater was constructed, and despite the multiple Universities supporting the endeavor, the absence of an alternative indoor facility ultimately led to its demise.

Once the home to University of Georgia and Florida State University, even the commitment and the 15-year tenure of Valdosta State University could not save the Amphitheater. VSU operated the Jekyll Island Musical Theatre since 1989, and when a request was made in 1995 to convert the Gould Auditorium to a permanent indoor theater and actors’ dorm, their request was denied by the Authority.

Two years later, James Bradley, Executive Director, recommended that VSU be allowed to restore the old Gould Casino**** through a Capital-Fund Raising Campaign, estimated at $1.5 million, that would guarantee the full restoration of another historic building, and would provide a permanent Arts Center on the island.

The request was denied in 1997, which led VSU to finally discontinue its program in 2004.

Since then, the amphitheater has been sitting empty and abandoned, prone to Mother Nature slowly taking its toll on what once was the most prominent and admired outdoor performing arts location in the area. And if nature didn’t take it’s toll, then man-made vandalism certainly completed the task.

Today, the amphitheater is a quiet and desolate space on the island, barely visited, and certainly never admired.

But, when you have a chance, take a seat on the upper balcony and remember that those twisted and broken up pieces of handrails where once the glorious work of the Artistic Ornamental Iron Works Co., specifically designed and made for the home of the Jekyll Island Musical Theatre.

For more information about the history of Jekyll Island State Park, please check out my website or my blog page.

Enjoy, and I hope to see you all back again very soon for more stories.

*The first request for an outdoor theater on the island to support the arts was made by Mrs. Taylor, then President of the Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs, on March 10, 1958. (Authority Archives, minutes of the JIA Board meeting, March 1958.)

**Dewey Scarboro opened Villa Ospo to the general public to display his vast collection of antique furniture and international art collection in 1971. Despite the deterioration of the Historic District, Villa Ospo became a major point of attraction for visitors. (Authority Archives, 1971.)

***The 1950 Robert & Co. development plan is largely considered the first of its kind. However, archived documents prove that M.E. Thompson requested the first development plan for Jekyll Island in 1948. (State Archives, 1948-1949.)

****The original Gould Casino & Playhouse was converted to the Gould Auditorium in 1957 and served as the island’s first convention center. (Authority Archives, 1957.)