Alabama Gulf Coast History

The Alabama Gulf Coast has a rich history, dating back more than 11,000 years ago when Paleo Indians were sharing the land with mega-fauna like bison, giant ground sloth, mammoth, and mastodon. The landscape didn't change much during that 11,000 years-- not until the last three decades when developers found buyers for steel, concrete and glass condo towers.



Europeans began exploring Mobile Bay in the 16th Century. They found thriving villages of Native Americans, but still thought they had discovered the area. The Spanish, the French and the British all claimed the Alabama Gulf Coast at various times-- and some even at the same time, so wars were fought to decide the issue. European control ceased when the Treaty of Paris officially ended the American Revolutionary War on September 3, 1783.

Hunger for complete control of the area by the newly formed United States of America led to war with Native Americans who had no real concept of "owning land." Conflicts between American Indians and the United States led to the First Creek Indian War of 1814 and the Trail of Tears.

In the 19th century, pirates sailed into Mobile Bay and the backwaters of the area. Pirate's Cove, a little east of Wolf Bay, got its name because it was a good place for pirates to hide after plundering a ship. Some historians believe that Jean LaFitte was one of the pirates who made use of the many inlets in the area.

Fort Morgan saw service during four wars-- the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II. A trip to Fort Morgan is a great way to spend a day, walking the grounds of one of the most important places in Alabama Gulf Coast history. This is the place where the legendary phrase, "Damn the Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead" originated.

Gulf Shores has several museums that showcase the area's history. Check out this list and you will probably find a museum that will entertain your family during a rainy day or when the weather has been so nice that you need a break from the sun.

Ono Island wasn't always an exclusive gated community. Had you visited the island at the early part of the last century you could gave caught a goat and took him home for only 50 cents.

Many people spend their vacation at Gulf Shores or Orange Beach and leave, never realizing that they've spent a week on an island. It became an island with the creation of the Intracoastal Canal.

Did you vacation at Gulf Shores before it was discovered by the rest of the country? Or maybe you wonder what it looked like before the mom and pop motels were torn down and high rise condos came on the scene. Take a look at these vintage Alabama Gulf Coast postcards.

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