My Uncle Fred Aldred, (my Mother’s brother) who was a major supporter of Governor Tallmadge, was one of his big buddies and he got a house for 20 YEARS !!! ...1948-1968. (Ani’t cronyism great!)
My Uncle Fred would let my family stay at “his” cottage each summer at, of course, no charge.
The first cottage that my Uncle had was the Gould House, called the Villa Marianna Cottage.
It was the last cottage built on the Island in 1928. It was built by Frank Gould, son of Jay Gould, who made millions in the railroad business. It was named after Frank’s daughter: Marianna.
As a 8-year-old boy, I remember the house well. It was of Spanish design, very strange, very dark, very big, and very spooky!
When my family arrived at the house, my two brothers (Clayton and Fred) and I were very excited and started exploring this really interesting big, very unusual strange house. We ran from room to room, opening up every door we came to in order to see what was on the other side.
I ran up to the 2nd floor and saw a door in the middle of a wide, long hallway. I opened this very large door and thought I saw my brother, Clayton, run up the stairs. So I ran up the stairs after him. When I got to the top, there was this big screened in porch with luxury outdoor furniture in it. Pretty fancy stuff for 1955!
But to my surprise, Clayton was not there!
I was all alone! Then a chill ran down my spine!
I was only 8 years old, way up in the 3rd floor of this very, very strange big house all by myself and scared!!!
I thought: Who did I see run up the stairs?
Then I panicked and ran as fast as I could back downstairs and jumped in my Mom’s lap. During the rest of the stay, I was either with my Mom or one of my brothers. No way I was going to be by myself!
Just 2 weeks ago I was reading about Jekyll Island and discovered that, to my surprise, the Gould House is said to be haunted!
I found out that Jay Gould’s grandson Edwind Gould, Jr., was hunting with a friend on Jekyll Island. They came across a raccoon that was badly hurt. In order to put the animal out of his misery, the grandson hit the raccoon with the end of his shotgun. The gun was loaded and when off, shooting him in the stomach. He died a painful death. His Mother and Grandmother never again returned to Jekyll Island again.
They say the Gould House is haunted with his ghost. Creepy!
It turns out that my Uncle Fred and his wife, Aunt Mary, did not like the house either. In fact, everyone one thought the Gould House was drab, gloomy and downcast.
So my Uncle Fred contacted Gov. Tallmadge and talked him into letting my Uncle trade the Gould “Villa Marianna” Cottage for the Macy “Moss“ Cottage.
Built in 1896, The Macy “Moss” Cottage is the first one you will see when you arrive on Jekyll Island. It is surrounded by landscaped yards with the East River beautifully flowing right in front of it.
It was the difference between night and day as far as the Macy Cottage and the Gould Cottage was concerned. The Macy “Moss” Cottage had lots of big windows and was brightly colored inside and out. It was a pure joy to stay there.
