In our January 2023 issue, we shared the story of community efforts spearheaded by Miriam Lancaster, Pat Featherstone, and Sandy Colhard, and joined by Michael Torras, to preserve the historic tabby structure at the foot of the Torras Causeway once known as “The Visitors Club.” Designed by Francis Abreu, completed in 1931 and used as a welcome center until 2012, the attractive building was unfortunately allowed to slowly become darker and darker and overgrown. Torras says, “It was disappearing right in front of our eyes and, although everyone seems to have been disappointed with that outcome, no one knew what to do.”
But NOW look at it! With many members of the Golden Isles community coming together to accomplish a common goal, the Spanish Colonial structure is once again welcoming. Now clean and in good repair, well-lit, and beautifully landscaped, it is a pleasant sight for visitors passing through the Golden Isles and a source of pride for residents. It’s an amazing accomplishment! There has been somewhere around $150,000 in volunteer service and material donations invested in this project through March and nearly everyone approached was excited to be a part of the preserving a part of our local history.
Personal lumber delivery courtesy of Clay Strother.
In addition to the numerous businesses and organizations involved in assisting with the restoration, cleaning, lighting, and Christmas cheer that we referenced in January’s story, more folks joined the effort as the end of the project draws near. Beyond Expectations did some necessary cleaning. Collins Lock & Safe provided and installed new antiqued deadbolts for all exterior doors. When interior repair work was needed, J.C. Strother Co. provided lumber, and Sweet Leaf Customs made floor repairs. Lee and Cates glass cut new windowpanes to replace the broken ones, and Pane in the Glass will be installing them. Once installed, Island Painting will be back to complete the exterior painting.
Sea Island went above and beyond their original commitment to provide plants for landscaping. They not only performed the installation of the plants and trees, which required a crane, frontend loader, and forklift; they reworked the irrigation system as well. Roberts Civil Engineering provided drainage plans. Work still to be completed at time of print includes the installation of a new walkway connecting the parking lot to the covered cloister area by Seaside Pavers and Tile. Joe Jones has offered to sealcoat the asphalt parking lot and, following that, the city will repaint the yellow parking stops.
Sea Island's ground crew completing plant installation.
The pièce de resistance will be the recreation of the weathervane. That job is in the hands of Sea Island Forge. Marine Co. removed the old rusted out piece that could not be salvaged. A design plan for the banner was created following research of what the old design might have been is currently being finalized. Sea Island Forge will sandblast, galvanize, and powder coat the completed weathervane. This is anticipated to be the “cherry on top” that finalizes the restoration efforts. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held to celebrate the completion of the project, so keep an eye out for that.
The preservation of this little yet historically significant building holds an important lesson for us all. When we choose to reach a common goal and someone steps up to coordinate communication and tasks, many hands are willing to help. Projects that seem like they may be cost prohibitive or beset with too many obstacles to overcome may simply require joint effort, determination, and the willingness to ask for help. Working together like this, it’s remarkable how much we can accomplish! So…does anyone want to tackle the Jekyll Island Amphitheatre?
