The Jackson Yacht Club was originally chartered on August 18, 1958. . . . As planning of the Pearl River Reservoir matured, greater interest in the sport of yachting became evident and on the evening of July 28, 1960, a group of 55 people, including two of the original club incorporators, gathered at the Capitol City Club to discuss the advisability of proceeding, at once, with formal establishment of such a Club, in anticipation of the resources which would be provided on completion of the Reservoir.

It was the sense of that meeting that such procedure would be desirable and a Steering Committee was selected to consider ways and means and to make appropriate recommendations to the group.

On September 28, 1960, the Steering Committee made its report, including recommendations for a Constitution, Fees and Dues, and an initial fleet of Class sailing boats.  After minor revisions of several of the recommendations, they were favorably acted upon and the Jackson Yacht Club came into being, aided by the transfer by the original incorporators of the Jackson Yacht Club Charter to the newly formed group.  All formalities required for transfer of that Charter establishing the Jackson Yacht Club as a non-profit corporation, were completed.

The following were the original officers:

Commodore ------------------- William T. Phelps
Vice Commodore -------------- Harry D. Owen
Rear Commodore -------------- Joseph A. Blythe
Sec.-Treasurer ----------------- Thos. Biggs
Fleet Measurer ----------------- William A. Gill

The listed officers, together with the following, consituted the original Board of Governors:

Vaughan Watkins                        Negley England
Robert Gordin                            George Porter
Oscar Cassibry

After that time, the following other actions were completed:

a.   An initial Club owned fleet of four Bly Jay Class Sloops has been purchased. Charter No. 88 was received from the International Blue Jay Class Association.  Privately owned fleets in the Penguin, Lido 14 and O'Day Day Sailer Classes were established.  At that time, individual members owned about fifty sailing craft, of the various recognized classes.

b.   The Club was accepted in membership of the Gulf Yachting Association and the North American Yacht Racing Union giving the Club and its members access to the Regional Yachting Centers and qualifying them for competition in more important Regattas.

c.   Arrangements were made with Lake Hico authorities for temporary use (until completion of the Reservoir) of that Lake in order that the Club and privately owned Fleet may be moored there.  A race course was established, and a temporary club house was constructed.

d.   A Club burgee was designed and registered with Lloyd's Register of Shipping.

e.   Instruction is carried and almost continuously in the following subjects:

     1.   Basic sailing
     2.   Rules of the NAYRU
     3.   Advanced sailing techniques

f.   Each year, a continuous program of weekend sailboat racing was organized, including regattas and associated festive events both in the Spring and Fall.

g.   Approximately four to six major social events were held each year.

 The Jackson Yacht Club was conceived as a family type Club with special emphasis on instruction and a program for the young people.  It was considered that chilrdren as young as eight to nine years old could be profitably instructed in the sailing arts.  The Junior Program  was and still is an important part of the summer activities.

While emphasis is placed on sailing, it is not the intent to exclude interest in power boats.  Activities of those interested primarily in power are coordinated by the Power Boat Committee.

A Committee on Planning and Finance develped a long range program for all aspects of the Club activities in the future, including enlargement of Fleets, acquisition of quarters on the Reservoir, and so on.  Negotiations were initiated with the Pearl River Reservoir Commission to obtain a building site for a permanent club house.

At the November 1961 Annual Meeting, the Planning and Finance Committee recommended a series of plans for the future amoung which were recommendations for establishing the Club on the Pearl River Reservoir in the latter part of 1964 and means for financing an adequate facility at that location.

It was considered that approximately $80,000.00 would be required to construct and equip a suitable clubhouse and pier system and to improve grounds in the vicinity.  It was assumed that the Club would increase from about 125 Resident Members on January 1, 1962, by 50 additional Resident Members in each year of 1962, 1963 and 1964.  Since the beginning of 1962, the Club had accumulated capital assets valued at $40.00 per member, with the same interest therein extended to new members, it was considered equitable to increase the initiation fee from $40.00 to $80.00 as of January 1, 1962, along with a dues increase from $2.00 to $5.00 per month.  Since January 1, 1962, all initiation fees and 60% of dues, or $3.00 per month per member, have been deposited in a capital accumulation account.  That has the effect of increasing the per member interest in capital assets at the rate of $40.00 per member per year, which will, in turn, be reflected in increased initiation fees to $120.00 on January 1, 1963, and to $160.00 on January 1, 1964.   As of September 30, 1962, $7,250.00 had been accumulated in the capital account.