On the north end of Jekyll Island, Georgia, you will find one of only two remaining Georgia pre-revolutionary structures made of tabby. Originally the house was the residence of Major William Horton, one of General James Oglethorpe's most trusted military aides.
Major Horton was the first English resident of Jekyll Island. His two story home was built on the north end of Jekyll Island along with a barn. The residents of neighboring Saint Simons Island depended on crops in his fields. Major Horton cut a road across the north end of Jekyll from his home to the beach which is to this day named Horton Road.
A Georgia historical marker, on the subject of "Tabby," is positioned at the Horton House site explaining the building material used in the original homes. Used in Georgia during the Military and Plantation Eras, tabby was used as a building material for walls, floors and roofs. Its composition was equal parts of sand, lime, oyster shell and water missed into a mortar mix and then poured into forms.
According to this historical marker, the word tabby is African in origin, with an Arabic background, and means "a wall made of earth or masonry." Originally, the Spanish brought this building style to America.
Part of the original site remains looking over to the Jekyll Island Bridge.
For more information about the Jekyll Island experience, visit http://www.jekyllisland.com.
Brunswick and the Golden Isles of Georgia Blog
Julie E. Chapman, REALTOR®, Broker
Chapman Realty
Brunswick, Georgia 31520
912-280-0088 Office
912-270-6767 Cell
Web: http://www.juliechapman.com
eMail: chapmanrealty@yahoo.com
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Great photos... What is the origin/history of how the island was named?
Julie,
Thank you for the history lesson and the photos. It is amazing how some of these structures withstand the winds of time isn't it?
Julie - thanks, Jekyll Island is on my places to visit list, and these pictures just moved it up a few notches.
Ryan,
Named after a friend of General James Oglethorpe who was name Sir Jekyll in the 1770's......can't recall first name quickly but am going to write a post and yes when it was the Millionaire's Village....one of the names of the members of the hunting club it was then had the last name of Hyde and was a friend of the author of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde........
Thanks for sharing the history of Jekyll. I always enjoying getting down there for a little kayaking.
Daryl,
There are some really great rafting trips here.....have you done the areas around Cumberland and Little Cumberland IslandsZ?
Julie - Thanks for the history and the photos are absolutely beautiful. I would love to see Jekyll Island in the near future.
Rosalinda,
As I always say, come for a day or come for a lifetime......
Hannah,
You are quite welcome.....