In 1911, Howard Coffin (owner of the Hudson Motor Company) purchased 20,000 acres (81 km²) of land on Sapelo Island and began developing it as a private resort for himself and friends. In 1922, he purchased what was formerly called Long Island and renamed it Sea Island. In 1928 he began an overnight inn and lodge named "The Cloister." Currently, land on Sea Island is controlled privately, and public access is limited. The island is owned by the Sea Island Company, operated by the Sea Island CEO, Bill Jones III. The Sea Island Company also owns property off the island limits, on St. Simons Island.
In late 2004, the Sea Island Company closed their famous hotel, The Cloister. After 75 years of service the hotel was torn down to make room for a new one. The new Cloister hotel reopened on April 1, 2006, along the Black Banks River on the west side of Sea Island. The new hotel is not reminiscent of the original Addison Mizner design, however, the famous 1928 Spanish Lounge was dismantled and completely rebuilt in the new hotel. The Sea Island Beach Club, a resort facility accommodating the island's visitors from The Cloister and residents, was also rebuilt. The new facility opened on July 10, 2007.
On July 7, 2008 Bill Jones III resigned from the board of Synovus Financial (SNV) with which Sea Island has a close working relationship. One month later the Sea Island Company announced layoffs of 300-400 [1] which were later increased to 500, or 25% of the workforce [2]. Following the workforce reductions the company has cut back on certain services including select golf operations, restaurant hours, laundry services and florist services. Sea Island also recently reopened the skeet shooting and horse stable facilities to the general public.
A guard hut and gated entry were recently constructed on the causeway leading to Sea Island. Visitors and sightseers are no longer permitted; the entire island is now accessible only to homeowners, club members and guests of the resort.
Many streets on the island were previously maintained by Glynn County. In fact, the company deeded the roads to the county in the 1960s. Recently, however, the company asked the county to give up its rights to utility easements and various roads on the island in order to enhance security for the island's wealthy residents by way of restricted access.neutrality disputed Sea Island Company recently built a fishing pier at Gascoigne Bluff on nearby St. Simons Island since the public will no longer be able to fish from the bridge over Black Banks River, an 80 year tradition.
