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| Photograph ©Jekyll Island Club Hotel |
In the annals of history, the illustrious Jekyll Island Club Hotel stands as a testament to opulence, originally gracing the coastal landscape in 1887. Conceived as an exclusive haven and hunting retreat for the elite, this architectural marvel played host to an array of distinguished personalities, weaving together the stories of Joseph Pulitzer, Vincent Astor, J.P. Morgan, William Rockefeller, James Stillman, William K. Vanderbilt, George Baker, and a cadre of other influential tycoons and politicians.
Beyond its gilded origins, the Jekyll Island Club Hotel has transcended its temporal constraints, embracing a spectral dimension that adds an ethereal layer to its storied history. The corridors of this grand establishment echo with whispers of paranormal occurrences, captivating those who seek both luxury and a brush with the otherworldly.
The Sans Souci house, a cherished retreat of J.P. Morgan, is not just a haven for the living but also an abode for lingering spirits. Guests have reported encountering the unmistakable aroma of Morgan's infamous cigar smoke, a lingering reminder of the tycoon's presence.
Within the walls of the Aspinwall room, the spectral figure of General Lloyd Aspinwall has been said to materialize. Originally named the Riverfront Veranda, this room was dedicated to Aspinwall due to his affinity for it, serving as his favored sanctuary within the confines of the hotel.
In Spencer's Suite, the ghostly presence of Samuel Spencer, a figure from the past, engages with the present. Guests have recounted instances of Spencer perusing newspapers left by visitors, seamlessly traversing the realms of the living and the spectral.
A former bellhop, eternally bound to the hotel, continues to weave his spectral narrative. This benevolent apparition has been known to knock on the doors of newlywed couples, presenting the groom with a pressed suit before vanishing into the shadows. Clad in an old-fashioned bellhop's cap and suit, this "very real-looking" spirit adds a touch of nostalgia to the hotel's ghostly ensemble.
As the Jekyll Island Club Hotel stands gracefully at the crossroads of history and the supernatural, its halls whisper tales of opulence, intrigue, and spectral encounters, inviting guests to revel in an experience that transcends the boundaries of time and the living.