Judy Miller

Fun Research at Jekyll Island

With each new setting for books, it’s fun to discover the history of the area–at least that’s one of the things I most enjoy. I also love to share some of the history I’ve discovered because, believe it or not, most of the research conducted while preparing to write a book, doesn’t make it into the story. That doesn’t diminish the fun-of-the-find, but I always wish I could share more with readers. So hang onto your hats because that’s what I hope to continue doing with this blog. At left is a picture of the Jekyll Clubhouse where Tracie Peterson and I stayed while conducting our research for the Bridal Veil series. Beyond beautiful!

Clubhouse Jekyll

Clubhouse, Jekyll Island

I’ll tell you a little more about the clubhouse next time, but today I thought I’d share about a few of the conveyances used on Jekyll Island, a few of which are mentioned in the Bridal Veil series. One of the favorite activities on the island was horseback and buggy riding. Some of the members were experts in horsemanship and coach driving, while others simply took pleasure in leisurely rides around the island or on the beach.

Jekyll dining room

Jekyll Clubhouse dining room

 

 

 

Carriage rides provided the entire family with fun outings. A steamer arrived every season carrying members’ buggies, horses, hay and oats along with stable boys and coachmen who would don full livery and top hats for the outings.  One of the fun conveyances visitors enjoyed was a chaise roulante, a large wicker chair with wheels attached that a bicyclist peddled in order to transport visitors around the island. Employees and visitors enjoyed bicycling on the beach and along the island paths, as well.

In 1900, automobiles were permitted on the island but only on the beach and back roads between the hours of 10:00 a.m. till noon and from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. They were to be limited to a speed of six miles an hour and had to come to a full stop if they met a horse being ridden or a carriage. As time went on, the rules became much more relaxed.

Red bug

Red bug

In the 1920′s and 1930′s the ‘red bug,’ a miniature motorized vehicle powered at different times by gasoline or electricity became popular among both children and adults. Not sure I’d want to turn a child loose in this, but I’m thinking it may have been the precursor to that little Barbie car. Somehow I think having little kids tooling around on these things could have been more dangerous than regular automobiles doing fifteen miles per hour. They sure are cute and I would have really enjoyed riding one!

6 Comments

  • Rick says:

    Great tidbits about Jekyll Island transportation history. I’ve always been partial to those Red Bugs. They used to race those things on the beach in the heyday of the Jekyll Island Club. Weren’t they electric? Now you can rent present day electric Red Bugs and even have Red Bug Pizza!

  • Judy Miller says:

    Hi Rick,

    Yes, most of the red bugs were electric, but my research reveals there were also some that were gasoline powered. I read that when they did the initial survey of the island they were bitten and stung from head to foot by red bugs, wood ticks, and I wondered if that’s where the name originated for the little red bug riding machines. Couldn’t find an answer. :)

  • Awesome blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog shine. Please let me know where you got your theme. Thanks a lot

    • jamauthor says:

      Thank you for your comments regarding the design of my blog. My entire website was designed by Jones House Creative.

  • katie says:

    yes i am in 5th grade i think you should make it where it is relly about jekyll life for reports

    • jamauthor says:

      Hi Katie,
      I understand it would be much easier to find information from the website if we’d written the book about Jekyll Island, but I can tell you that there are several excellent books regarding the history of Jekyll Island. If you check at your local library, I’m sure you’ll be able to locate wonderful information. Especially helpful is “The Jekyll Island Club” written by William Baryton McCash and June Hall McCash. I hope you do well with your report.

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