Long before Spectre made Jackson Lake Island in Millbrook famous, the retreat on the Alabama River served as a place of fun for locals.
Before the goats roamed the movie set of Tim Burton’s Big Fish, the island served as a venue for country music icons such as Randy Travis with his debut hit “Diggin’ Up Bones” and Hank Williams Jr. in the 1980s. Now the island has turned down the music and the lights much to the delight of locals.
“We have all sorts of outdoor activities — picnicking, camping, fishing,” Jackson Island owner Lynn Bright said. “We have almost anything you would think of as outdoor or water activities.”
There is a boat ramp to launch into the Alabama River for fishing and kayaking. There are chances to walk the island and sit in a swing watching the water go by.
Bright’s parents owned the island back in the 1980s when it started to become popular. The concerts went away and a decade later Tim Burton found Jackson Lake Island. He found it convenient. It was isolated to create his magical set but close enough to a metropolitan area for the services filming a large movie required.
“Back then we hadn’t cleared it and it wasn’t like the park it is today,” Bright said. “What he wanted was privacy, water and sort of a creepy looking place. It was pretty much a done deal in his mind when he left.”
Set crews constructed Spectre, complete with a church. A forest and Jenny’s House over the water were built. In all, it took more than a year to construct the set and film the movie that has a cult following.
“We expected them to come in with a few cameras and filming crew but wow, it was so much more,” Bright said.
The bright and vibrant town was filmed first. Then film crews aged the set. As filming was finishing, the Brights decided to allow the set to remain. But sets are not built for permanency. Just peek in the doors and windows of the houses of Spectre and the viewer quickly sees the ground where many of the island’s goats sleep. The walls are incomplete.
Bright isn’t sure how long the movie set will be there as renovations to it are almost impossible.
“The Town of Spectre is going down,” Bright said. “Time has not been kind to it. Vandalism hasn’t been kind to it. It was built with fake materials. There is no way to repair it. You have to start over.”
Lightning struck one of the buildings and it caught fire.
“It was old and dry,” Bright said. “In pouring down rain, that house burned like it wasn’t even raining.”
But still guests continue to come to Jackson Lake Island because of Big Fish.
“There are people who are big Tim Burton and Big Fish fans who travel from far away to come and visit,” Bright said. “They come from other countries. They will add it to their itineraries.”
With its history in the movies, country music roots and quick escape from reality, Jackson Lake Island offers something for almost everyone. The best thing is it's just down the road.
Jackson Lake Island is located at Cypress Lane in Millbrook.
