Cool Jazz, Hot Times Fish On! Local Favoritesassets.convergeapp.net/DisplayTableList/7317/files/Summer2013... · Cool Jazz, Hot Times ... Daphne, AL 251-424-1360 4851 Wharf Parkway

SUMMER 2013

Cool Jazz, Hot TimesGulf Coast Ethnic and Heritage Jazz Festival

Fish On!Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo

Local FavoritesPlaces to Dine, Shop, Play & Explore

ALABAMA COASTING SUMMER 2013 3

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It’s summertime and the livin’ has always been easy in historic Mobile. One of the oldest cities in the Gulf Coast region, Mobile has a colorful, international flair, with numerous historic districts, architecturally significant homes and buildings, beautiful gardens, trees, parks and outdoor spaces, fresh, local seafood, numerous waterways to explore and an ever-emerging, vibrant arts community.

You can find our love of the coast in our food, music, festivals, and attractions but especially in our people. We host festivals year-round, celebrating everything from live music to shrimp to the arts to flowers. If you’re a military buff, then we have several historic sites and attractions that will take you from the Civil War to present day. If you like architecture, a walking and/or driving tour of our many historic districts, churches and homes is a must-do, if you’re a foodie, try to eat your way along the bay. Are you are an art lover? There are dozens of galleries and museums that range from folk to fine art. Love the water? Then a kayak, airboat, sailboat, or charter fishing boat is waiting for you! And of course, we’re America’s original Mardi Gras!

Need to smell the salty air and feel sand between your toes? Less than an hour south is laid-back Dauphin Island, nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi Sound. You’ll find a slower, relaxing pace here with very few man-made distractions and a host of natural wonders. Dotted with individual beach homes, canal-side bungalows and Sound-side cottages, Dauphin Island is a tribute to when a beach vacation was about, well, the beach.

This issue of Alabama Coasting Magazine will feature many of the great experiences, dishes to try, places to visit and people to meet that make Mobile a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike. If you need more information, visit our website at www.mobilebay.org or download Alabama Coasting’s free app on your iPhone or Android. And yes, we’re on Facebook, too. Search for and become a fan of ‘Visit Mobile Bay’ and you’ll be included in the latest updates, announcements, event information and fun facts.

Have fun!

Sincerely, Your friends at the Mobile Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau

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4 ALABAMA COASTING SUMMER 2013

...to be on the ALABAMA COAST. Every season has its own special feel along the Alabama Coast but summertime really defines us. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, it’s beach, family, food, and fun. Sure, we stil put in a full week’s work, but we LIVE for the weekends. And, we’re certainly glad you’re here to play with us!

We invite you to use ALABAMA COASTING MAGAZINE as your guide during your entire visit with us. Throughout its pages, we’ll introduce you to some of our favorite places and the best choices for where you can DINE, SHOP, PLAY and EXPLORE. To help your search, we’ve divided the region into three areas – Mobile, the Eastern Shore and the Alabama Gulf Beaches – and profiled each within the magazine. Our feature stories educate, entertain and entice you to embrace the treasures of our little part of the world.

For help getting around, you’ll find area and local maps on pages 44-45. A business directory and rundown of things to do begins on page 30. For even more help as you’re traveling around the Alabama Coast, please be sure to download our free Alabama Coasting app. It’s the “Official Smart Phone Guide for Mobile Bay” – full of music and event listings and as complete a roster of area restaurants, retail shops, attractions and businesses as you’ll find anywhere. It’s of course, GPS enabled, so you can be assured of getting wherever you need to be. Just search “Mobile Bay” on your Android or iPhone.

Whether you’re here for business or pleasure or both, we hope you’ll enjoy your time along our little slice of heaven on the Gulf Coast. Thanks again, for visiting and for reading ALABAMA COASTING MAGAZINE. We invite you to share your feelings and your experiences by sending us a note or joining us on Facebook.

David Calametti

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

Yes indeed... This IS the best time

Managing Partner/CEODanny Calametti

President/PublisherDavid Calametti

Art DirectorDee Cariglino

Sales & Client ServicesAnna Stanley

Content Management TeamWhitney Calametti

Denise Williams

Contributing EditorTabitha Northrop

PhotographyDebbie & Tad Denson myshotz.com

Tony West myshotz.comFrank Lee RobertsMichael Thomas

Published byDiscover Gulf Coast Alabama, LLC

Phone: [email protected]

5758 Huffman Drive NorthMobile, AL 36693

©2013 Discover Gulf Coast Alabama, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this

publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

m a g a z i n e

251-344-2131 3673 Airport Blvd

Mobile, AL

251-625-46956880 Hwy 90

Suite 14Daphne, AL

251-424-1360 4851 Wharf Parkway

Suite 130Orange Beach, AL

251-424-19004673 Wharf Parkway

Orange Beach, AL

251-621-1086 29249 US Highway 98

Daphne, AL

251-424-1350 4851 Wharf Parkway

Suite 116Orange Beach, AL

CompleatAnglerGrille.com

Baumhowers.com

BiminiBobs.com

COME SEE US AT


On the Cover: “Fish ON” Great times on the water with family and friends. Photo:

Tad Denson, MYSHOTZ.

departmentsMobile Bay CVB welcomes you .................. 3

Publisher’s Letter ........................................ 4

Industry Salute .......................................... 28

Alabama Coasting Recommends: Day Trips and Destinations ....................... 37

destinationsMobile ......................................................... 8

Eastern Shore ............................................ 14

Dauphin Island & Gulf Beaches ................ 21

featuresCOOL JAZZ, HOT TIMES ................................................ 13

Gulf Coast Ethnic and Heritage Jazz Festival

A FEAST FOR THE SENSES ........................................... 18

Visual Arts on the Alabama Coast

THE WORLD’S LARGEST ............................................... 24

80th Annual Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo

DAMN THE TORPEDOS – FULL SPEED AHEAD ........................................................ 28

Historic Forts Keep Mobile History Alive

DELTA BLUES AND GREENS ........................................ 35

Images from the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta

directoriesDining & Entertainment .........30

Music ......................................33

Shopping ................................ 34

Play and Explore .....................36

Events .....................................39

Maps ...................................... 44

Advertiser Directory .............. 46

“They grow them big here” Good luck to all at this year’s Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo


BayFest will award $20,000in scholarships this year!

High school students in Mobile & Baldwin Co. can apply.

Weekend passes on sale now

Early Bird Special July 1st - July 15th

ONLY!

For tickets and informationbayfest.com

OCTOBER 4-6, 2013Friday - Saturday - Sunday

A family owned and operated Mobile tradition for over 40 years. Come see why!

Experience old Mobile

IN downtown Mobile!

Open Tuesday thru Saturday from 11am for Lunch and Dinner. Sunday Brunch 10am-6pm250 Dauphin Street • (251) 476-1890

Visit us on facebook or scan the QR code with Android or I-phone.

www.tpcrockmiers.com [email protected]

In the heart of old Mobile and walking distance from downtown hotels, featuring: • Steaks, Seafood, Salads, Sandwiches •

• Signature Champagne Brunch • Award-winning Eggs Benedict • • Live music weekly • Accommodations for up to 300 people •


SULTRY SUMMER

Mobile invites visitors to sit back & relaxSlow down and enjoy Mobile this summer. The balmy weather makes it easy to be outdoors, from taking in a great band while enjoying local fare on the Causeway, to exploring the many galleries and shops downtown on a late summer evening. It’s even an ideal time to enjoy home-made ice cream at one of several purveyors in midtown or downtown. Relax and take the time to enjoy the city’s fine and casual dining, cultural activities and eclectic shopping. You’ll have plenty of time to pick up the pace come fall!

DOWNTOWN MOBILEMobile often gets overlooked for her flashier regional sister, New Orleans, but this historic town has many of The Big Easy’s most popular charms plus a few hidden gems all her own. An easy stroll through downtown Mobile will offer some of the best samples of the city’s classical and historic

architecture: authentic, French-Creole wrought iron, an-tebellum embellishments and buildings dating back to the 1800s. Modern day reveals a lively downtown full of out-door charm and a wide variety of attractions.

Enjoy fun boutique shopping at Lunatix & Co. on Dauphin Street, a creative little Eden full of local artists’ wares, fash-ions and oddities. Inside Up on Conception Street features women’s clothing and accessories as well as home décor, while a few doors down, Covered Boutique is a treasure trove of contemporary women’s apparel. Don’t forget the Urban Emporium, which serves as a small business incuba-tor and is home to eclectic shops and even a bakery. The Museum of Mobile, Mardi Gras Museum and Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center are fantastic attractions for the whole family to enjoy.

Mobile


The Cathedral Square Arts District stretches from Royal Street, down Dauphin Street, to just past Washington Street and is home to more than 30 art galleries, venues and shops, including Kangal Gallery & The Sail Loft, Artology, Space 301, Cathedral Square Gallery, and The Robertson Gallery.

Come out every second Friday of the month from 6-9 p.m. for Mobile’s popular monthly ArtWalk. Enjoy live music, gallery openings and fun. For those who fancy themselves culturally in-tune, the Saenger Theatre downtown hosts a myriad of symphonies and national performers of all genres. Just past the doors of the Saenger, the streets of downtown sit lined with live music venues and bars of all kinds. Try jazz and blues at 360 Jazz Cafe, dueling pianos at Dahlia’s Piano Bar and punk, rock and folk at The Alabama Music Box and Soul Kitchen.

Food is the name of the game downtown. Mediterranean, Thai, seafood, sushi, fine dining...you name it! From the regional seafood favorite, Wintzell’s Oyster House, to deli-cious American fare at The Blind Mule and Panini Pete’s to sophisticated Southwestern cuisine at The Bull, your crav-ing is sure to be satisfied. Sweet tooth? You’re covered with a visit to the quaint Three Georges candy shop or A&M Peanut Shop. Try the homemade divinity or a shake at Three Georges, or stop in A&M for peanuts roasted hourly in the shop’s 90-year-old roaster.

Like the rest of the coast, downtown Mobile is in full swing during the summer. Stroll its sidewalks and enjoy the archi-tecture and well-tended gardens. Engage in al fresco dining, or sample its varied nightlife. For more information on the latest events and festivities, check out our website at www.alabamacoasting.com/events.

MIDTOWNMidtown offers plenty of family friendly places to satisfy your appetite. Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream Shop, Mellow Mushroom, Dew Drop Inn, Butch Cassidy’s and Fuego Coastal Mex offer delicious choices to suit any taste. Stop in Cammie’s Old Dutch for homemade ice cream, with new flavor surprises from pineapple orange to peanut butter and jelly. But, before dessert, dive into one of the best burgers in town next door at Butch Cassidy’s Café. Hot dogs more your style? These, and the hamburger steak are legendary at Dew Drop Inn, a favorite of locals for generations.

Then, of course, it’s time to shop in Midtown. The Ashland Place neighborhood nurtures a delightful collection of bou-tiques, restaurants and shops. Ashland Gallery, located at 2321 Old Shell Road, offers full-service custom framing, art shows including works for sale and a delightful gift shop. Across the street, stop in the eponymously-named women’s boutique Bradley for classic items that will make an impression.

SPRING HILLTerrific shopping, dining and cultural activities are found in Mobile’s Spring Hill neighborhood west of Midtown. Mobile Museum of Art, which houses contemporary

Bienville Square. Photo: Tad Denson, MyShotz.com.

Downtown Mobile has much to offer day or night. Above: Lower Dauphin Street nightlife. Photo: Tad Denson, MyShotz.com. At left: A&M Peanut Shop. Photo: www.MICDesigns.com.


Downtown Mobile Alliance Member Merchants:Inside Up

Kangal Gallery in the Sail LoftRobertson Gallery

Three Georges Southern Chocolates Toomey's at the Carnival Museum

Gift Shop in the ExploreumUrban Emporium

Serda’s Coffee CompanyGift Shop at the Renaissance Riverview Hotel

Cathedral Square GalleryCovered Boutique

downtown mobile. it’s shopping with style.


galleries, a permanent collection of more than 8,000 works, plus touring exhibits, is located in Municipal Park. Sharing space at the park is the Mobile Botanical Gardens, a 100-acre site of cultivated gardens, woodland trails, and a longleaf pine forest, at 5151 Museum Drive. The Gardens are open year-round from daylight to dusk.

Carpe Diem – a specialty coffee house, which also produces its delicious blends for sale to the public – is a must-stop while traveling Old Shell Road. The coffee house serves sandwiches and pastries for dine-in or take-out and offers gift items, books and acces-sories. Grab a fruit-flavored tea for a fresh taste of the season.

In the mood to shop? We have just the place! Searching for the latest looks is especially fun in Spring Hill. Dragonfly, 4310 Old Shell Road, is a contemporary boutique for women of all ages. One stop here, and the search for the perfect pair of jeans is over. Holiday, 4513 Old Shell Road, has been a favorite destina-tion for mothers and daughters for 50 years. To complete your ensemble, stop in The Gallery Shoe Boutique (a few doors away from Dragonfly) for an array of designer shoes and handbags that will set fashionistas’ hearts aflutter.

Good restaurants of all kinds can be found in Spring Hill. Among our favorites is the award-winning Legacy Bar & Grill. Don’t miss their regular wine tasting events.

WEST MOBILEIf you find yourself in West Mobile after arriving at Mobile Regional Airport, take time to sample authentic Alabama Coast cuisine at Wintzell’s Oyster House, 5700 Airport Blvd., the chain’s West Mobile location (there are eight total from Mobile to Orange Beach). Famous for its reputation as a laid-back dining experience, Wintzell’s has been part of Mobile life for 40 years. From signature West Indies

Salad to oysters served raw or prepared to perfection in several variations, this is truly a taste of Mobile. Further east on Airport Blvd. is Zea Rotisserie & Grill where international dishes and regional favorites are served for lunch and dinner. The Asian Almond Shrimp is a can’t-miss appetizer.

NORTH MOBILESummer is the season to enjoy nature, and what better way to embrace its beauty than to camp, hike and bike on the Alabama Coast? Chickasabogue Park in Eight Mile is a 1,100-acre public recreational facility and nature

preserve. The park is open for camp-ing, canoeing and hiking. It also offers a 14-mile Mountain Bike Trail. For a quiet back-to-nature getaway or a large family outing, this nature park is a ter-rific pick. For information about this Mobile County owned and managed park visit www.mobilecountyal.gov.

THE CAUSEWAY The Causeway, which connects Mobile to the Eastern Shore and Baldwin County, is a lovely strip situated along Mobile Bay with a surprising variety of bars, restaurants and attractions.

Sprawling oaks, lush summer greenery, and historic architecture can be found throughout Mobile. Top: a Spring Hill vista. Above: Bellingrath Gardens and Home, which offers daily tours.


Visitors to USS ALABAMA Memorial Park can enjoy a vivid encounter with 20th-century history. The mighty battleship, now permanently stationed at the park, was decorated nine times in World War II. Visitors can tour the ship and get a feel for what the fighting men who served on it endured to protect not only those on the home front but freedom throughout the world. More than 20 other craft including the USS DRUM submarine, helicopters and airplanes are part of the exhibit.

Explore the region’s beautiful delta at Five Rivers Delta Resource Center. The Center is a living museum cover-ing over 450 acres of fields, forests and wetlands – offer-ing a splendid view of the region’s blended ecosystems. Self-guided tours on the 10 miles of trails, or kayak-ing through the delta are fun alone, or with friends and family. The grounds are open year-round from sunrise to sunset. The Visitor Center is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state holidays. The Center features a fascinating exhibit room and expansive bird-watching window.

Best of all, mouthwatering food and live entertain-ment may be found at the end of your fork at any of the Causeway’s many seafood restaurants. Headlined by Felix’s Fish Camp Grill, the Blue Gill Restaurant,

Ed’s Seafood Shed and Tacky Jack’s, you won’t go wrong vis-iting any of the restaurants offering fresh, genuine Alabama Coast cuisine.

Summer is the time to slow down and soak in the delight-ful opportunities to enjoy Mobile, its culture and a bit of its famous Southern hospitality during your stay on the Alabama Coast.

For more information on the neighborhoods of Mobile visit our website at www.alabamacoasting.com or the Mobile Bay CVB at www.mobilebay.com.

Wintzell’s is one of many places to enjoy fresh, local Alabama seafood.


Grammy nominees Dionne Farris and Russell Gunn are among the artists that will bring their unique musical styles to the 2013 Gulf Coast Ethnic and Heritage Jazz Festival (GCEH), to be held July 31-August 4 in Mobile.

Now in its 14th year, the festival seeks to further the preservation and growth of jazz in professional, entertaining, family-oriented venues. This year’s performances will take place at The Temple at 321 St. Francis Street, and Gulf City Lodge at 601 State Street, both located in downtown Mobile.

Another goal of the annual event is to encourage young musicians to play jazz by educating them about its history and future. According to Founder Creola Ruffin and GCEH President Edward Flotte, “ethnic” means everybody and “heritage” is not some fixed point in the past. Therefore, the festival seeks to present jazz through a declaration of its evolution. Using settings that provide music demonstration workshops, GCEH introduces students and the community to the business of jazz from composition through production.

Over the years, the festival has hosted a number of diverse and historical performances, including the Count Basie Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra and the James Brown Band. This year’s headliners Dionne Farris and Russell Gunn will add their own special twist to the evolution of jazz. Farris, a Grammy-winning vocalist from Plainfield, New Jersey, performed hip-hop, soul, gospel and rhythm and blues before adding jazz to her repertoire. Gunn is a Grammy-nominated trumpeter who hails from East St. Louis. Despite being a “certified member of the hip hop generation,” his dedication to the art of jazz began at age 16.

The festival seeks to feature professional and recording artists who have their roots in the Mobile area. Keep It Live, a Mobile jazz band that has performed at Bayfest and with such artists as Dennis Nelson, Kirk Wahlum and Labrado, will also be featured along with other prominent jazz musicians.

As well as its musical offerings, GCEH will present an Evening of Poetry on August 1, at the Museum of Mobile, located at 111 South Royal Street. Between 10 and 15 original poems, selected from all that have been submitted by July 12, will be read to the audience and a panel of judges will select the winner.

For more information about the Gulf Coast Ethnic Heritage and Jazz Festival visit www.gcehjazzfest.com or call (251) 432-8343.

A VIBRANT MIX OF JAZZ ENTERTAINMENT AND EDUCATION

Gulf Coast Ethnic and Heritage Jazz Festival


Thousands travel each year to enjoy the culture and splen-dor of the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. Once considered one of Alabama’s hidden gems, it is quickly becoming known as the place to be. This picturesque collection of communities is nestled on the Gulf Coast just minutes east of Mobile. It’s a cultured assortment of small towns where charm and southern tradition collides with a sort of coastal-chic ambiance. After just one visit you can’t help but embrace the local enthusiasm for shopping, dining, the arts and the outdoors.

SPANISH FORTHistoric Spanish Fort, dating to the 18th century, is the northernmost entry to the Eastern Shore. It is a great place to spend afternoons shopping or delving into the colonial spirit that founded our country. And with warmer weather outside, the Eastern Shore will be the destination of choice for many shoppers, with its upscale, open-air shopping loca-tions. The city is home to two of the area’s most active shop-ping collectives: The Eastern Shore Centre and Spanish Fort Town Center combined offer literally hundreds of specialty and gift shops, clothiers, varied retailers and dining destina-tions with expansive, convenient free parking.

Historic Blakeley State Park, 34745 State Hwy 225, tells the history of Spanish Fort like few interpretive sites are able to. Featuring a well-preserved Civil War battlefield with both Confederate and Union fortifications and breast-works, Blakeley really brings the conflict into contempo-rary perspective through guided tours and special events. An RV campground with full utility hookups and a rustic campground for tents and pop-ups are available to visitors for overnight stays. The park is open to day visitors 9 a.m. to sunset. Admission and camping rates are charged. Info: www.blakeleypark.com or 251-626-0798.

DAPHNESpanish Fort’s neighbor to the south, Daphne, offers some surprises in the blending of old and new in a single Alabama Coast city. Shopping and dining experiences are offered in convenient locations throughout Daphne. For those with contemporary tastes, Jubilee Square shopping center on U.S. 90 is a perfect fit. Clothiers and specialty stores make this single complex a one-stop-shop. Pick up some gems to add cheer to your home or garden at Pier 1 Imports. After shopping, sports fans can dine, relax and watch a game at Baumhower’s Restaurant, home of signature wings and Alabama’s delicious white BBQ sauce.

IT’S A SHORE THING

The Eastern Shore shines year-round

Eastern Shore

Photo: www.MICDesigns.com


Olde Towne Daphne is a reminder of the city’s small-town beginnings while offering delightful shopping and dining selections. Strolling the quiet streets leads to unusual and appealing discoveries like De-Cuba on Main Street. Featuring Daphne’s only walk-in humidor – with the Eastern Shore’s larg-est selection of cigars and cigar accessories – this is a place to find Cuban art, clothing and a variety of wines. Across the street, stop in one of the twin restaurants Guido’s or Cousin Vinny’s. Among Vinny’s tasty of-ferings are salads, sandwiches, hand-tossed specialty pizzas and beer on tap, while Guido’s offers a fine selection of wines, as well as an extensive chalkboard menu of appetizers, entrees and desserts.

Daphne is home to two unique museums. The Black Education Museum and Daphne Old Methodist Church Museum are each housed in historic buildings featuring fascinating inter-pretations. The Black Education Museum, 1000 Main Street, is located in the former Baldwin County Training School, the first school established in the country to serve African-American students. Built with student labor in 1941, the museum’s col-lection includes documents and furnishings from throughout the school’s history. Open: Tues. and Thurs., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Info: www.blogs.bcbe.org/bem or 251-626-9886.

The Old Methodist Church Museum, 405 Dryer Avenue, is the second-oldest church building in Baldwin County. Dating to 1858, the museum’s exhibits expand beyond its religious roots to interpret everyday life aspects of Daphne’s

history. A 19th century cemetery is located on the museum grounds. Free admission. Open: Fri-Sun., 1-4 p.m. Info: www.daphneal.com/history.asp or 251-626-3275.

FAIRHOPEFairhope, acting as artist haven extraordinaire of the Eastern Shore, will be busy this season with events appealing to nature lovers as well as art lovers. Shopping and dining in this city is distinctly “home grown” but don’t let that simple description fool you. Unique shops offer fine antiques, original works of art, eclectic home furnishings and collectables. From international fare to coastal cuisine, Fairhope eateries have something special to share. An authentic Irish experience is offered at McSharry’s Irish Pub, 101 N. Bancroft Street, fea-turing traditional food and libations. Other dining delights include elegant fare at the Fairhope Inn and Tamara’s Grill.

Fairhope’s two museums reflect the unique early history of the city that inspired its growth and development. Fairhope

The Fairhope Pier is a popular place for fishing, sailing, or just enjoying the view. Just down the street from downtown, it’s a convenient community gathering spot. Photo: www.MICDesigns.com.

Spend a summer evening with friends at Point Clear’s Grand Hotel. Photo: MyShotz.com.


History Museum, 24 N Section Street, features changing exhibits, permanent displays and interactive children’s ac-tivities. The second floor features a replica of the original Town Council Chambers. Free admission. Open: Tues.-Sat, 9 a.m.-5p.m. Info: www.cofairhope.com/dep_museum.php or 251-929-1474.

Marietta Johnson Museum, 10 S. School Street, celebrates and examines the revolutionary educational work of Mrs. Johnson, a retired Minnesota teacher, who founded an experimental school in the Utopian community. She re-ceived national acclaim and was one of the founders of the Progressive Education Association. Open: Mon.-Fri., 2-4 p.m. Info: www.mariettajohnson.org or 251-990-8601.

After strolling around downtown to your heart’s content, don’t forget to take in the lovely bayfront scenery from the public pier, complete with rose garden, or one of the public waterfront parks.

For information about the Eastern Shore contact the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce offices at either 327 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, 251-928-6389, or 29750, Larry Dee Sawyer Dr., Daphne, 251-621-8222, or visit them online at www.eschamber.com.

The Eastern Shore is the place for eclectic shopping – get farm fresh foods at the Windmill Market or stroll the streets of downtown Fairhope for fabulous finds. Photos: www.MICDesigns.com.

Fairhope is a mix of modern sophistication and small town charm.

Marietta Johnson Museum, Fairhope.


It’s a Shore Thingeastern shore of mobile bay, Alabama

Dine Shop Explore eschamber.com

Stay, Play & Splash!

Spring into Summer, From amazing history to sunsets on the bay, we have it all. Fairhope, Daphne, Spanish Fort, Point Clear, Blakeley and Weeks Bay. Sunsets, Pelicans, the Delta and more. Just come on down. After all,It’s a Shore Thing!

251.928.6387


A FEAST FOR THE SENSES

Visual Arts on the Alabama CoastA STEP ABOVE:

COASTAL ARTS CENTER OF ORANGE BEACH (www.orangebeachartcenter.com)

With an in-house glass studio, community enrichment activities and a historic setting, the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach is a standout in a rich artistic culture. Housed in the historic Orange Beach Hotel, the gallery features more than 100 local and regional artists, with special exhibits rotating every two months. Adults and children may also enjoy a variety of art classes, from painting to music, pottery and theater. At The Hot Shop, watch live glass blowing or create your own custom-made piece. This facility is the state’s only public-access glass blowing studio.

CENTRAL PRESENCE:

EASTERN SHORE ART CENTER (www.esartcenter.com)

In a community of artists, Eastern Shore Art Center stands as a unifying force, promoting the abundant talent found in Fairhope and beyond. Established in 1954, the center has grown from a one-room gallery to five exhibit spaces and four teaching studios. Featured artists include local and national talent as well as trav-eling collections. The organization also hosts quarterly art classes for all ages and two outdoor art shows a year. Volunteers work with special needs children and adults through local art outreach programs.



LEADING THE WAY:

MOBILE MUSEUM OF ART (www.mobilemuseumofart.com)

Mobile Museum of Art sets the standard across the coast with a picturesque facility and year-round art education for budding artists. Located in Langan Park, this art museum is the larg-est along the Gulf Coast, from News Orleans to Tampa. This facility first opened in 1963 and greatly expanded in 2002. The collection now includes more than 9,000 works of art, span-ning two centuries of culture in a variety of media. Special exhibits feature regional to world-renowned artists. Visitors may also enjoy hands-on exhibits, lectures and art classes.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

CENTRE FOR LIVING ARTS AND SPACE 301 (www.centreforthelivingarts.com)

The Centre for Living Arts’ stance is simply put: “Artists’ projects are considered a springboard for new conversations, and [the CLA] welcomes their input for all public programs and activities.” Founded in 1999, this downtown Mobile non-profit multidisciplinary arts organization operates Space 301 Gallery. The center applies creativity and innovation to cur-rent issues by marshalling global artist talent and forming strategic community alliances. Through exhibitions, public programs and education, the organization and gallery sparks both conversation and creativity.

Photo information – Page 18: Adam Burges, resident glass artist adds a stem to a hand-blown glass pumpkin in The Hot Shop. Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach Gallery and studio building. Photos: Belinda Butler. Page 19, top row, works in The Futures Project at CLA. Left: Artists Tom Leeser and Nina Waisman in Kenny Scharf’s “Cosmic Cavern.” Photo: Todd Douglas. Right: “Aboard the Mothership Part One: Postulations of Myth and Math,” Dawn DeDeaux. Photo: Kimberly Nichols. Center: Eastern Shore Art Center exterior. Bottom row (L-R): ArtBash Pottery at ESAC. “Don’t Know Where to Point” – BryneRasmussen, part of Tom Leeser’s “Future Tense” at CLA; photo: Kimberly Nichols. Mobile Museum of Art. This page: Handblown glass globes at Orange Beach Festival of art 2012 by Katie Avant


If you’re reading this, you know it’s not necessary to travel to an exotic locale to find first-class beaches. The Alabama Gulf Coast boasts miles of pristine coastline and abundant, deli-cious seafood. Sit back with your toes in the white, powdery sand and enjoy the view – gentle surf on blue-green waters, or try your hand at adventure with a variety of watersports. Get your adrenaline pumping with a charter-fishing excur-sion, or visit the new Gulf State Adventure Center at Gulf State Park for paddling, kayaking or zipping.

GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACHThe Alabama Gulf Coast has been a coastal playground for generations of visitors from all over the world, and contin-ues to provide family-friendly fun in a small-town beach-side setting. Located due south of Foley on Hwy 59, Gulf Shores is home to “the little zoo that could.” More than 300 animals can be visited at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo lo-cated just a couple of blocks off Highway 59 near the beach. Get up close and personal with lemurs, tiger cubs and more, through one-on-one animal encounters. Call prior to ar-rival to ensure availability.

Of course food plays an unmistakable role in the person-ality of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Excellent, fresh seafood is always right and always ready when you dine in any of the innumerable locally-owned restaurants along this stretch of the Alabama Coast. For unbelievable whole founder and more try The Compleat Angler at The Wharf. For the avid sports fan out there, don’t miss a game...Baumhower’s sports bar (also located at The Wharf) has you covered! And if you are looking for a quieter, more elegant meal, reserve your spot at the Sunset Cork Room, regularly featuring music, a creative menu and one of the choicest wine selections in the area.

DAUPHIN ISLANDA short 45 minute jaunt from downtown Mobile or a quick ferry ride from the end of Fort Morgan Road (in Gulf Shores) brings you to Dauphin Island, off the western shore of Mobile Bay. This tiny hamlet on a barrier island a mere 14 miles long has much to offer in a relatively small space. Historic Fort Gaines, first visited by explorers in the early 16th century, is an excellent complement to Fort Morgan.

WHITE HOT SUMMER

Dauphin Island & Gulf Beaches

Alabama’s Gulf Beaches

Kayak shack on Dauphin Island.


Ever hear the expression, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead?” You’ll learn the details of the Battle of Mobile Bay where they were famously proclaimed and much more with a visit here. (Check out our feature in this issue on the area’s historic forts.)

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab and Estuarium is one of the few spots on the Alabama Coast where even the smallest visitors can safely and enjoyably get “up close and personal” with nature. A quick walk from the ferry dock, this facility teaches children and adults alike about the significant habitats of the Alabama Coast. The sea lab uses the actual natural resources, plants and animals found in our region as a means to educate visitors. As you move through the 10,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall, you will come nose-to-nose with fish found in these four significant regions: the Barrier Islands (which includes Dauphin Island), Mobile Bay, the Mobile Tensaw River Delta and the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Interactive exhibits such as the Billy Goat Hole Gallery and touch tanks make this visit even more memorable. After all, when was the last time you were able to pet a shark? Another must nature excursion is the Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary, which hosts thousands of birds and birders annually.

BAYOU LA BATRE & CODENSouth Mobile County was one of the first settled parts of the region with Dauphin Island settled by the French in 1699 (who called it Massacre Island due to the large amount of human and animal bones discovered there). Across the Mississippi Sound from Dauphin Island, the small fishing villages of Coden and Bayou La Batre date from the 1720s and 1780s respectively. Both developed into popular resorts during the 1800s but were devastated by hurricanes in 1906, 1916 and 1926. Today, though the resorts are forgot-ten, the area is still focused on fishing. Bayou La Batre is known as the Seafood Capital of Alabama and, by the way, it’s pronounced: By’-La Bat-ree.

For information about the Gulf Beaches, contact Alabama Gulf Coast

CVB, Gulf Shores, 251-968-7511. For information on Dauphin Island and South Mobile County, contact the Dauphin Island Chamber of Commerce (www.dauphinisland-chamber.com), 251-861-5524,Toll Free 1-877-532-8744 or the South Mobile County Tourism Authority (www.alabamacoast.org).

Discover the wonders of the sea at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab Estuarium, or enjoy the sugar white beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. Photos: Tad Denson, MyShotz.com

Alabama’s Gulf Beaches offer fun and adventure for the whole family: ziplines, eco-tours, charter fishing and more. Bottom photo: Tad Denson, MyShotz.com.



Boasting miles of inland waterways, the second largest river delta in the country, Mobile Bay – the fourth larg-est estuary in the U.S. – and quick access to the Gulf of Mexico, it’s no wonder south Alabama is an angler’s paradise. From inland fishing for Speckled Trout, Redfish and Largemouth Bass, to trolling the shoreline for Cobia and Spanish Mackerel to offshore fishing for Snapper, Grouper and more, there’s a multitude of options on any given day.

It also comes as no surprise that the Alabama Gulf Coast is home to one of the largest charter fishing fleets in the world, supporting 12 marinas and hundreds of vessels. And, each summer brings an additional reason coastal Alabama is a fishing mecca – the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo.

Founded in 1929, the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo now attracts more than 3,200 anglers and an average of 75,000 spectators to Dauphin Island each year. A project of the Mobile Jaycees, it is the largest fishing tournament in the world. That’s a far cry from the first tournament at

Fort Gaines Pier – with 260 participants and a $5 entry fee – which used carrier pigeons to deliver daily news of the event. Back then, participants and spectators could only reach the rodeo by boat, and brochures proclaimed, “There’s a fish for everybody at the rodeo and they bite as a matter of civic pride.”

This year’s rodeo is scheduled for July 19-21, and features an awards package valued at more than $400,000. The three-day Captain’s Choice tournament and Southern Kingfish Association-sanctioned event will feature 30 categories with prizes for first, second and third place in each. One Master Angler is awarded, along with cash prizes for King Mackerel, Speckled Trout and Big Game Jackpots.

The rodeo is also civic and conservation minded, rais-ing and donating funds, coordinating with the Dauphin Island Sea Lab to collect scientific data, and seeking input from the University of South Alabama’s Dr. Bob Shipp regarding the state of fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. Over the past seven years, the rodeo has donated more

80TH ANNUAL ALABAMA DEEP SEA FISHING RODEO

Get Hooked!


Rodeo ScheduleSATURDAY, JULY 13Roy Martin Young Anglers Tournament

THURSDAY, JULY 185 pm: Captains’ Meeting6 pm: Liars’ ContestLive Music following the Liars’ Contest

FRIDAY, JULY 195 am: Cannon Blast StartLet the fishing begin!

SUNDAY, JULY 215 pm: Cannon Blast6 pm: All Random Drawing Announcements

MONDAY, JULY 22 6 pm: Awards Ceremony The Grounds/Greater Gulf State Fair www.mobilefair.com

OFFICIAL WEIGH STATION OPERATING HOURS: Friday: 10 am – 7 pmSaturday: 10 am – 7 pm Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm

MISC INFO:• ADSFR Site:531 Lemoyne Dr.

Dauphin Island, AL 36528• BYOB • No glass• No pets


Tickets• Roy Martin Young Anglers

Tournament: $3 per angler• ADSFR Open Competition ticket:

$40 per angler• Raymarine/Team Simco Big Game

Jackpot: $250 per boat• Scout Boats/Paradise Marine King

Mackerel Jackpot: $200 per boat • Spa and Tub Manufacturers/Goldstein’s

Speckled Trout Jackpot: $50 per boat

TICKET OUTLETS GREATER MOBILE• Academy Sports & Outdoors• Bay Bank• Jemison’s Bait & Tackle• Quints Hardware & Sporting Goods• Tackle This, Shoot That• Southern Bama Bait & Tackle

EASTERN SHORE • Sportsman’s Marina

ORANGE BEACH• J&M Tackle

GULF SHORES• Blue Water Ship Stores

DAUPHIN ISLAND• Greer’s Food Store• Dauphin Island Marina

than $150,000 to the Department of Marine Sciences at the University of South Alabama, which has been matched by the University of South Alabama Foundation.

The fun begins Saturday, July 13, with the Roy Martin Young Anglers Tournament, open to all children 15 years old or younger. This kick-off event is designed to grow partici-pation in sport fishing and to teach and encourage good sportsman-ship. It typically attracts around 1,500 young anglers.

The one-day event features 31 categories with prizes for first, second and third place in each. One Master Angler is awarded, and winners also receive Mobile BayBears tickets. Proceeds ben-

efit the Mobile Jaycees Children’s Christmas Shopping Tour.

The following Thursday, anglers and spectators may gather at the rodeo site on Dauphin Island to share and wit-ness tales at the 6 p.m. Liars Contest, which will be followed by the starting gun at 5 a.m. Friday.

The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo – a Southern tradition since 1929.

SimplyBest.the

Taste for yourself what others already know!


As a visitor to the Alabama Coast, we trust that by now you’ve experienced first-hand the genuine warmth and hospitality of our home. That gracious-ness is more than a simple gesture, it’s who we are – and it can be found throughout the community. In each issue of Alabama Coasting Magazine, we’re pleased to profile an individual or business that ex-emplifies our brand of Southern Hospitality.

A woman’s wedding day is the one day she dreams will be absolutely perfect, complete with the per-fect groom, the perfect location, the perfect cake and, of course, the perfect dress. But the reality is, perfection isn’t achieved easily. And sometimes, things don’t always go as planned.

Recently, bride-to-be Melissa was faced with such a reality when she experienced a dress disaster less than a week before her big day.

Melissa began trying on gowns six months prior to the wedding and was able to find her dream dress relatively quickly. Still, as in many cases, the dress needed “a few simple alterations.” Her wedding day drew near as Melissa waited five weeks for alterations to be completed at the shop where she purchased her dress.

Then, just days before the wedding during the final fitting, the bride found her dress butchered beyond wearability – leaving only one option – to start from scratch with a size 12, duplicate sample gown that would need to be intricately altered to fit Melissa’s petite, size 0 frame.

The Timeless BrideALABAMA COASTING’S INDUSTRY SALUTE

Has someone gone out of their way to make your stay on the Alabama Coast extra special? Let us know! Email [email protected]. Please include the employee’s name, title, place of employment and the dates of your visit.

Photo: Britta Rivera.

Enter Naomi Brock Maurer, owner of The Timeless Bride, who answered the after-hours call about a “bridal emergency” that needed immediate attention. After assessing the situa-tion, Naomi and master seamstress Connie Cotton concluded the alterations would require “a four-day marathon to deliver a perfectly fitted gown.”

Connie “set out with a vengeance,” according to Melissa, and took on the project, which included removing the skirt from the bodice and ensuring that every seam and detail was altered to “achieve the ideal fit for such a petite bride.” After approxi-mately 34 hours of work, the gown was finished and returned to a glowingly happy bride just two days before her wedding.

“It was extremely gratifying to have an opportunity to use my God-given gifts to minister to Melissa in her time of need,” Connie said. Melissa couldn’t have been happier about the outcome, either.

“The issues I had led me to Connie and Naomi, and they gave me a dress I could never have dreamed even existed. Naomi and Connie both were not simply supportive, but completely empa-thetic…and it was obvious how much they cared,” Melissa said.


Offering unique accessories and over 2,600 dresses with styles ranging from the 1930s to today, The Timeless Bride is best known for delivering “a creative bridal experience.” In addition to help-ing brides find the perfect gown, they also provide heirloom trans-formation as well as consignment for bridal wear.

After 6 years of business, Naomi and Connie have proven that The Timeless Bride is dedicated to treating their brides with genu-ine concern while helping them explore their individuality and reduce any anxiety. As a result of their special talents and hearts

for service, it’s clear that what is most unique about The Timeless Bride are the two timeless brides that run it!

The Timeless Bride754 Government StreetMobile, AL 36602(251) 432-8420www.thetimelessbride.com

The happy couple and the dress that saved the day. Photo: Britta Rivera.


360 JAZZ CAFEDowntown Mobile. Mobile’s place for music

featuring four distinct venues – the Listening

Room, the Veranda, Jazz Alley and the Patio.

Open Wed-Sat nights, serving a made-from-

scratch menu, craft beer and fine wines and

spirits. Wine Down Wednesday Happy Hour

530-7pm; Sunday Jazz Brunch 10:30 a.m-2

p.m. Listening room concerts begin at 8:05

p.m. Check the website or Facebook for live

concert schedule. 360 Dauphin Street. Info:

www.360jazzcafe.com or 251-378-5795.

BAUMHOWER’S RESTAURANTMidtown Mobile, Eastern Shore and

Orange Beach. Always fresh, always

friendly, always fun on the Alabama Coast.

Locations: 3673 Airport Blvd., Mobile; 6880

U.S. Hwy 90, Daphne; and at The Wharf in

Orange Beach! Info: www.baumhowers.

com or 251-344-2131 (M) or 251-625-4695

(D) or 251-424-1360 (OB).

BAUMHOWER’S COMPLEAT ANGLER SEAFOOD GRILLEastern Shore. Orange Beach. A taste of

the Caribbean with island-style hospitality!

Open Mon-Thu, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-

Sun, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Locations: 29249

US Hwy. 98, Daphne;and at The Wharf in

Orange Beach! compleatanglergrilll.com

or 251-621-1086.

BIMINI BOB’S CABANA CAFÉ Orange Beach. Dockside restaurant

overlooking The Wharf Marina. Open 7 days.

11am-10pm. biminibobs.com 251-424-1900

THE BLIND MULE RESTAURANT & BAR Downtown Mobile. Made-from-scratch dishes and live music by local artists. Open daily at 11 a.m. Live music Thu- Sat. Saturday and Sunday Brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m. We deliver to downtown hotels. 57 N Claiborne Street. myspace.com/theblindmule or 251-694-6853.

BLUEGILL RESTAURANT Mobile Bay Causeway. Committed to fresh traditional seafood in a relaxed fun atmosphere. Our goal is to create a memorable dining experience with great service that will have you returning again and again. Open Tue-Sat, Live music daily. 3775 Battleship Pkwy, Spanish Fort. www.bluegillrestaurant.com or 251-625-1998.

CALLAGHAN’S IRISH SOCIAL CLUB Oakleigh Historic Garden District. Mobile’s oldest and friendliest pub featuring great food and music at the corner of Marine and Charleston Streets. Info: www.callaghansirishsocialclub.com or 251-433-9374.

FELIX’S FISH CAMP GRILL Mobile Bay Causeway. Don’t let the exterior fool you, this is the place for delicious, fresh Gulf seafood and USDA certified steak. We pride ourselves on making you and your guests feel like you are the most important people in town – because you are! 1530 Battleship Pkwy., Spanish Fort. Live music Mon-Sat, 6:30-10:30 p.m.; Sun., 12-8 p.m. Info: www.felixsfishcamp.com or 251-626-6710.

FUEGO COASTAL MEX Midtown Mobile. Mobile’s hottest in Mexican flavor – served with Cali Coast fire. Open for lunch and dinner Mon-Fri; Saturday at 4 p.m. Daily specials. 2066 Old Shell Road. Info: fuegocoastalmex.com or 251-378-8621.

LEGACY BAR AND GRILLSpring Hill. A fine dining experience designed to make you and your guest feel special. Steaks, seafood, an excellent selection of wine and memorable desserts. Dress is upscale casual. 9 Du Rhu Drive, Suite 201. Info: 251-341-3370.

LIGHTHOUSE BAKERYDauphin Island. Open Tue-Fri., 6 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sat., 6 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 919 Chaumont Ave. Info: 251-861-2253.

MEDITERRANEAN SANDWICH CO.Downtown Mobile. 274 Dauphin Street. Info: 251-545-3161.

At the Blind Mule Restaurant & Bar, fresh ingredients, including savory Gulf shrimp, make their Alabama Shrimp & Grits one of

the “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama before You Die.”

Dining & Entertainment


NO JA Downtown Mobile. This one-of-a-kind dining experience fuses Mediterranean, Asian and contemporary Gulf Coast cuisine to create a menu to remember in the heart of the arts and entertainment district. Open Tue-Sat, 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Reservations recommended. 6 N Jackson Street. www.nojamobile.com or 251-433-0377.

PIRATE’S COVEGulf Beaches. Relax and dine with us overlooking Amica Bay. World-famous Cove Burgers, Pizza and Bushwhackers since 1957. Live music Sat. nights. Josephine, Al info: piratescoveriffraff.com 251-987-1224

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE Midtown Mobile. Sizzling USDA prime beef, chicken, fresh seafood, salads and delectable deserts served in a fine dining atmosphere with legendary service. We also feature a variety of wonderful wine selections to complement our entrées. Open for dinner Mon-Sat and also lunch on Friday. 2058 Airport Blvd. Info: www.ruthschris.com or 251-476-0516.

TP CROCKMIERSDowntown Mobile. Steaks, Seafood, Salads, Sandwiches and more.Open Tue-Sat from 11am til late.Sun. 10am-6pm. 250 Dauphin St. info: tpcrockmiers.com. 251-476-1890.

WINTZELL’S OYSTER HOUSESix locations. ”40 years and still shuckin’” Premier fresh Gulf oysters and seafood. 605 Dauphin St; Downtown Mobile; 6700 Airport Blvd, W. Mobile; I-65 at Exit 13, Saraland; 805 S. Mobile St. Fairhope; Eastern Shore Ctr, Spanish Fort; 24131 Perdido Bch Blvd, Orange Beach. Info:wintzellsoysterhouse.com

ASMC-0034-AlCoastMag-5x5.indd 1 3/29/13 9:14 AM

Bimini Bob’s Cabana Café on the Dock at Orange Beach.


Amazing food and drink specials everyday!!

facebook.com/cabocoastalcantinafacebook.com/cabocoastalcantina

Come Join us for one of our Famous Cheeseburgers!

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

6664 County Rd 95 Josephine, AL 36530(251) 987-1224 • PiratesCoveRiffRaff.comL 30o 19.2’ N Lo 87o 32.0’ W


360 JAZZ CAFEDowntown Mobile. 360 Dauphin Street. Info: www.360jazzcafe.com or 251-378-5795.

ALABAMA MUSIC BOXDowntown Mobile. 455 Dauphin Street. Info: alabamamusicbox.net or 251-441-8934.

BAUMHOWER’S RESTAURANTMobile. 3673 Airport Blvd; Daphne, 6880 Hwy 90. Orange Beach. The Wharf. Info: Baumhowers.com

BIMINI BOB’SOrange Beach. The Wharf Marina. Info: biminibobs.com

BLIND MULE SALOONDowntown Mobile. 57 N Claiborne St. Info: www.theblindmule.com or 251-694-6853.

BLUEGILL RESTAURANTMobile Bay Causeway. 3775 Battleship Pkwy. bluegillrestaurant.com or 251-625-1998.

BLUES TAVERNMidtown Mobile. 2818 Government Blvd. Info: www.bluestavern.com or 251-479-7621.

BOO RADLEY’S Downtown Mobile. 276 Dauphin Street. Info: 251-432-1996 or booradleysmobile.com.

THE BRICKYARDDowntown Mobile. 266 Dauphin Street. Info: 251-219-6488.

CALLAGHAN’S IRISH SOCIAL CLUBOakleigh Historic Garden District. 916 Charleston Street, Mobile. Info: www.callaghansirishsocialclub.com or 251-433-9374.

CLUB CASINOWest Mobile. 7790 Tanner Rd., Ste. B (Old Shell and Schillinger.) Info: 251-634-3929.

COMPLEAT ANGLERDaphne. 29249 US Hwy 98. Orange Beach, The Wharf. Info: compleatanglergrill.com

CROOKED MARTINIWest Mobile. 7639 Cottage Hill Road, Ste. C. Info: 251-633-5555.

DAHLIA’S ELECTRIC PIANO HALLDowntown Mobile. 258 Dauphin Street. Info: myspace.com/dahliasmobile or 251-378-5025.

FELIX’S FISH CAMP GRILLMobile Bay Causeway. 1420 Battleship Pkwy, Spanish Fort. 251-626-6710 or 251-621-0234.

FLORA-BAMA Gulf Beaches. 17401 Perdido Key Dr., Pensacola (State Line). florabama.com or 251-850-0611.

THE GARAGEDowntown Mobile. 9 S Washington Ave. Info: 251-433-2223 or 251-209-5664.

GRAND CENTRALDowntown Mobile. 256 Dauphin Street. Info: grandcentralmobile.com or 251-432-6999.

LEGACY BAR & GRILLMobile.9 Du Rhu Dr. Spring Hill Info: 251-341-3370.

THE GUMBO SHACKEastern Shore. 212 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope. Info: 251-928-4100.

JOE CAIN CAFEDowntown Mobile. 26 N Royal Street. Info: 251-338-2000.

LIQUID LOUNGEDowntown Mobile. 661 Dauphin Street. Info: 251-432-0109.

LULU’S AT HOMEPORT MARINAGulf Beaches. 200 E 25th Ave., Gulf Shores. Info: 251-967-LULU.

OK BICYCLE SHOPDowntown Mobile. 661 Dauphin Street. Info: 251-432-0109.

PIRATE’S COVE

Gulf Beaches. 6600 County Road 95, Elberta.

251-987-1224 or piratescoveriffraff.com.

THE PUB

Eastern Shore. 311 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope.

251-928-2032 or 251-604-8362.

SADDLE UP SALOON

Downtown Mobile. 9 N Jackson

Street. Info: 251-285-4596.

SAENGER THEATRE

Downtown Mobile. 6 S Joachim Street. Info:

251-208-5600 or www.mobilesaenger.com.

SKYVIEW LOUNGE

Downtown Mobile. Top floor of the Holiday

Inn, 301 Government Street. Info: 251-694-

0100, ext. 1755 or www.skyviewlounge.com.

SOUL KITCHEN

Downtown Mobile. 219 Dauphin Street. Info:

251-433-5958 or soulkitchenmobile.com.

STUDIO 5’4”

Downtown Mobile. 216 Dauphin

Street. Info: 251-725-0406.

TRADER’S

Mobile Bay Causeway. 4015 Battleship

Pkwy., Spanish Fort. Info: 251-626-5630.

VEET’S

Downtown Mobile. 66 S Royal Street. Info:

251-694-3090 or www.veetsbarandgrill.com.

Live Music


BILL WISMAR’S METAL BENDERS GALLERY Eastern Shore. Distinctive original jewelry in traditional and art styles by more than 20 accomplished designers. Custom design and jewelry repair offered courtesy of the full-casting facility on site. 314-A De La Mare Ave., Fairhope. Info: www.metalbendersgallery.com or 251-928-5858.

COVERED BOUTIQUEDowntown Mobile. Great finds in women’s apparel. 16 S Conception St. 251-285-0937.

DE-CUBADaphne’s premier spot to shop and enjoy a fine selection of cigars, wine, craft beer, and smoking accessories. Our walk-in humidor carefully maintains hand rolled cigars like Gran Habano, CAO, Alec Bradley, Gurkha, and more. Our wine and beer selection also has something for everyone – be it a long time favorite or a new taste, we offer a variety at many different price points. 1714 Main Street, Daphne. Info: 251.517.4866 or de-cuba.net.

HOLIDAY INC. @ HOLIDAY PLACE Spring Hill. Contemporary ladies and children’s clothing. 4513 Old Shell Road. Info: www.shoptheholiday.com or 251-342-4911.

JUBILEE GIFT SHOP Eastern Shore. Specializing in Fleur de Lis, Cameo, Crown, Harlequin, Jester, Mermaid, Butterfly and Mardi Gras merchandise. Find just what you need and more. 28588 U.S. Hwy 98, Daphne. Info: 251-281-8880 or www.jubileegiftshop.com.

LUNATIX & CO. Downtown Mobile. Wonderfully eclectic merchandise. All items are handmade, handcrafted or up-cycled wearable art. 662 Springhill Ave. at Dauphin Street. Info: www.facebook.com/pages/Lunatix-Co/160370020674581.

URBAN EMPORIUM Downtown Mobile. New retail experience, offering shoppers a variety of merchandise, from women’s clothing to gourmet foods to great gifts for the home and garden. 260 Dauphin Street. Info: www.facebook.com/UrbanEmporium.

Shopping

Lunatix & Co.

MOBILEDOWNTOWNDauphin Street and vicinity, between Water St. and Broad.

VILLAGE OF SPRING HILLOld Shell Rd. west of I-65 to University Blvd. www.thevillageofspringhill.com

ASHLAND PLACEOld Shell Road between Upham and Florida Streets.

BEL AIR MALL: Airport Blvd at I-65.

SPRINGDALE MALL: Airport Blvd at I-65.

LEGACY VILLAGE: Dauphin Street at I-65.

EASTERN SHOREJUBILEE SQUAREHwy 98 at I-10 in Daphne. www.jubileesquare.com

EASTERN SHORE CENTER I-10 Exit 38 (30500 Hwy. 181) in Spanish Fort. www.easternshorecenter.com

DOWNTOWN FAIRHOPE www.fairhopemerchants.com

GULF BEACHESPELICAN PLACEHwy 59 (Gulf Shores Pkwy) less than five minutes north of the Intracoastal Bridge in Gulf Shores.

TANGER OUTLET MALL 2601 S. McKenzie St. Foley. www.tangeroutlet.com/foley

THE WHARF23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach. www.alwharf.com

Shopping Districts


The Mobile-Tensaw River Delta that flows into Mobile Bay is a natural scenic phenomenon, a wilderness of swamp and marsh. It’s the ultimate place to start your outdoor Alabama adventure. Nestled on the banks where the Mobile, Spanish, Tensaw, Apalachee and Blakeley Rivers run together, 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center is the perfect gateway. The facilities are open seven days a week and admission is free. For more information, call 251-625-0814 or visit www.alabama5rivers.com. Photos: Whitney Calametti, Tad Denson, MyShotz.com.

Delta Blues and Greens


ACP REAL ESTATE INCDauphin Island. Provides beach rentals, hotels and other accommodations on Dauphin Island and throughout the greater Mobile area. 900 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island. Info: www.acpinfo.com.

ALABAMA CRUISES Mobile. Enjoy sightseeing eco-cruises on scenic Fowl River through the famed Bellingrath Gardens at Theodore. Also available for dinner cruises and private bookings. Info: www.alabamacruises.com or 251-973-1244.

BELLINGRATH GARDENS Mobile. Walking tours of the garden and guided tours of the majestic Bellingrath Home are available. Open daily for regular tours 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road, Theodore. Info: www.bellingrath.org or 251-972-2217.

DAPHNE MUSEUMEastern Shore. The Old Methodist Church & Museum of Daphne was built in 1858 on land donated by Captain William and Elizabeth Howard. This church is one of only two remaining antebellum churches and is the second oldest church building in Baldwin County. 405 Dryer Ave., Daphne. Info: www.daphnemuseumalabama.com.

EASTERN SHORE ART CENTER Eastern Shore. Five exhibit galleries. Open Tue.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 401 Oak Street, Fairhope. Info: www.esartcenter.com or 251-928-2228.

FIVE RIVERS DELTA RESOURCE CENTER Eastern Shore. The “ultimate place to begin your adventure” becoming acquainted with this region. At Five Rivers visitors can learn

about the Mobile, Spanish, Tensaw, Apalachee and Blakeley Rivers that flow into Mobile Bay through fascinating exhibits in a scenic setting ushering you into 250,000 acres of waterways, wetlands and woodlands. Info: www.alabamafiverivers.com or 251-625-0814.

GULF COAST EXPLOREUM SCIENCE CENTER Downtown Mobile. Bringing the world of science to the Gulf Coast through permanent and traveling exhibits as well as an impressive IMAX Theater. Open Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat,10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun,12-5 p.m. 65 Government Street. Info: exploreum.com or 251-208-6873.

HISTORY MUSEUM OF MOBILE Downtown Mobile. History, Culture, Heritage, Diversity. Open Mon-Sat, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun,1-5 p.m. 111 S Royal Street. Info: 251-208-7569 or museumofmobile.com.

IFLYMOMobile. The Mobile Regional Airport facility is located in West Mobile. It provides scheduled flight information and current arrival/departure details, airport services and amenities. Info: www.mobairport.com.

LODA ARTWALK Downtown Mobile. Enjoy the sites & sounds that only Mobile can offer. Every 2nd Friday of the month, 6-9 p.m. Maps available at Mobile Arts Council. Info: www.ncsmobile.org or 251-208-7443.

MOBILE BOTANICAL GARDENS Mobile. 100 acres of cultivated gardens, woodland trails, and a longleaf pine forest in the middle of the city. Open year-round. 5151 Museum Dr., adjacent to Langan Park. 251-342-0555 or mobilebotanicalgardens.org.

MOBILE CARNIVAL MUSEUM Downtown Mobile. Highlighting the history of Mardi Gras in its true birthplace. Open Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Info: 251-432-3324 or visit www.mobilecarnivalmuseum.com.

MOBILE MUSEUM OF ART Mobile. The largest fine arts museum on the Central Gulf Coast. 4850 Museum Dr., Mobile. Info: 251-208-5200

MYSTIC ORDER OF THE JAZZ OBSESSED Mobile. Spontaneous. Never ordinary. JAZZ. Born in America. Enjoyed worldwide. Jazz Jambalaya 4th Monday, Gulf City Lodge. Info: www.mojojazz.org.

OLD TOWNE DAPHNEEastern Shore. Old Towne Daphne is located on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. The views will absolutely take your breath away. It is a city that is walkable, but not crowded. The people are friendly and in the center of town are numerous eateries and shops. Their products are excellent, their merchants are friendly and their downtown community is fun. Info: www.oldetownedaphne.org.

Play & Explore


As you can tell from evidence throughout the pages of Alabama Coasting, we’re big fans of all things in and around our little stretch of the Gulf Coast. We do know, however, that there are times where our friends may feel the need to broaden their “Coasting” experience. Well, we’re here to help. In each issue, and archived on alabamacoasting.com, we profile a unique Gulf Coast destination that warrants consideration as a day trip or even a weekend get-away. In this issue, we’re highlight-ing two small-group or family destination properties offering two very different experiences.

Just across the Alabama/Florida state line in an area of white sand beaches and emerald waters lies the Cottages on the Green at Perdido Bay Golf Club. These newly renovated lodges provide the perfect base camp for the golfing enthusiast with a rich history of hosting golf legends such as Arnold Palmer and Gary Player and the Pensacola Open from 1978 to 1987.

While the Perdido Bay Golf Club retains its reputation as a championship golf course, the Cottages “Lost Keys” location place the visitor in close proximity to the whole range of ac-

tivities found in Pensacola and the Gulf Beaches. In addition to the beaches, guests can easily enjoy the shopping and nightlife in Pensacola, or visit the Naval Air Museum just 10 minutes away. This abundance of offerings makes the Cottages a great choice for corporate retreats, family reunions and, of course, golf.

The unique layouts also enhance the group experience as the Cottage Suites include 4 bedrooms, each with two queen beds opening on a common living room with fireplace, a full kitchen, dining room, laundry room and patio. Not looking to do your own cooking? In addition to its customary duties as the “19th Hole”, Legends Bar & Grille is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner – as well as cater-ing, meetings and special events.

For more information on this Gulf Coast escape visit www.cottagesonthegreen.com or call 850-492-2214.

ALABAMA COASTING RECOMMENDS…

Day Trips and Destinations


Our second escape is, admittedly, a hometown destination – the charming and historic Malaga Inn in Downtown Mobile. Originally built in 1862 as wedding gifts for two sisters, the town homes were connected with a rear addition over the original carriage house and converted to a boutique hotel in 1969 by Mrs. Mayme Sinclair.

The Inn remains privately owned and is operated today by Mayme’s daughter and grandson, Julie and Jordan Beem. It is the oldest continuously operating hotel in Mobile. While many Mobilians connect the Malaga to Mardi Gras due to its prime location at the head of the parade routes, the Inn plays host to business groups and individuals, tour groups, vacationers and, perhaps ideally, wedding parties.

The beautiful interior courtyard with its signature foun-tain is the perfect setting for an intimate wedding cer-emony or reception. It also gets full use as a relaxing spot for an after-work break.

As lovely as the Inn and its amenities are, the one element that stands out more than any other in online reviews and guest comments is the remarkable warmth and hospitality of the staff. They truly are there to ensure that each guest feels welcome and at home. It’s a formula that’s worked for 44 years and Ms. Mayme would be proud.

For more information on this Gulf Coast escape, visit www.malagainn.com or call 251-438-4701.


OngoingMARKET ON THE SQUAREShop for locally grown produce, seafood, flowers, plants, bread, pasta, desserts, handcrafted goods and more. Stay for live music once you’ve made your selections. Saturdays, Through July 28. 7:30-11 a.m. Call (251) 208-1558 or visit www.ncsmobile.org/calendar.php.

FIRST FRIDAY ARTWALKStroll downtown Fairhope and art galleries featuring area artists. Walk begins at the Eastern Shore Art Center. First Friday of the month. 6-8 p.m.

LODA ARTWALKEnjoy an open house of art galleries, studios and unique shops in the Cathedral Square Arts District in downtown Mobile. Second Friday of the month. 6-9 p.m.

ECO-SAFARI OF THE LOWER DELTANature guides lead this 1.5-hour interpretive boat tour, pointing out wildlife and discussing area history. Daily, 11 a.m. 5 Rivers Delta

Resource Center. Tickets are $25 adults, $19 seniors, $16 for children 6-15, 5 and under free. Call (251) 272-4088 or visit www.5rds.com.

RITUALSThrough July 30. Exhibit of photography chronicling regional events and festivals by Mark Alan Francis. Eastern Shore Art Center. Tue-Fri, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Call (251) 928-2228 or visit www.esartcenter.com.

O’ BEAUTIFULThrough July 30. Exhibit of paintings showcasing the American flag by Gigi Hackford. Eastern Shore Art Center. Tue-Fri, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Call (251) 928-2228 or visit www.esartcenter.com.

WINDOW DRESSINGThrough July 30. Exhibit of paintings chronicling places visited by creator Michelle Vezina Peterlin. Eastern Shore Art Center. Tue-Fri, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Call (251) 928-2228 or visit www.esartcenter.com.

SHARED EXPRESSIONSThrough September 1. Biennial summer exhibition showcasing creative talent in area to include Azalea City Quilters Guild, the Watercolor & Graphics Society of Mobile, the Shibui Chapter of the Sumi-e Society of America, Mobile Art Association, Camera South, Coastal Clay Collective and the Azalea City Woodturners. Mobile Museum of Art. Tue, Wed, Fri-Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thu, 5-9 p.m. Call (251) 208-5200 or visit www.mobilemuseumofart.com.

THE SILENT CITIES OF PERUThrough October 27. Exhibit of archaeological photography by Fernando La Rosa. Mobile Museum of Art. Tue, Wed, Fri-Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thu, 5-9 p.m. Call (251) 208-5200 or visit www.mobilemuseumofart.com.

“AND IF, BETWEEN THE TWO…”Through November 3. Exhibit of hand-embossed paper bicolor paintings based on Braille by Kenn Kotara. Mobile Museum of Art. Tue, Wed, Fri-Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thu, 5-9 p.m. Call (251) 208-5200 or visit www.mobilemuseumofart.com.

FUTURES PROJECTThrough January 31. Group of exhibitions of emerging and established artists from around the world. Centre for the Living Arts. Wed-Sat 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun, 12-5 p.m. Call (251) 208-5671 or visit www.centreforthelivingarts.com.

Calendar JULY|AUG|SEPT

“Media Womb,” Nina Waisman. Futures Project, Centre for the Living Arts. Photo: Kimberly Nichols.

Visit alabamacoasting.com for a complete list of local events or scan

to download our app to your smart phone. It’s everywhere you need to be!

Kenn Kotara, at Mobile Museum of Art through November 3.

Events, cont.


JulyCHICAGO STREET FARMERS MARKETJuly 12. Buy fresh and local at the Chicago Street Farmer’s Market, featuring fresh produce, honey, plants, baked goods, eggs, wine, jams and more. Heritage Park, downtown Foley. 3-6 p.m. Call (251) 943-1300.

ALABAMA DEEP SEA FISHING RODEOJuly 19-21. The largest fishing rodeo in the world, with more than $400,000 in prizes. Dauphin Island. Starting cannon Friday 5 a.m., closing cannon Sunday 5 p.m. Weigh Station operating hours Fri & Sat, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sun, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Call (251) 471-0025 or visit www.adsfr.com.

THE SECRET AFFAIRS OF MILDRED WILDJuly 25 - August 4. Comedy by Paul Zindel about the collision of Mildred Wild’s fantasy life and daily life; director: Lacy Delaino. Theatre 98. Thu, Fri & Sat, 8 p.m.; Sun, 2:30 p.m. Call (251) 928-4366 or visit www.theatre98.org.

GULF COAST ETHNIC & HERITAGE JAZZ FESTIVALJuly 31 - August 4. Multi-day festival offering a vibrant mix of entertainment and education. Includes performances, workshops and an evening of poetry. Downtown Mobile. Call (251) 432-8343 or visit www.gcehjazzfest.com.

AugustJENNIFER CLAIRE MOORE FOUNDATION PROFESSIONAL RODEOAugust 1-3. From bareback bronco riding to barrel racing to children’s activities, the professional riders who compete will showcase edge-of-your-seat skills and excitement. The Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation is celebrating the 16th year of this event with proceeds going toward helping youth cope with day-to-day life. Foley Horse Arena. Admission $12 adults, $6 children 4-6, children 3 and under free. 7-10 p.m. (251) 971-3633 or www.jennifermoorefoundation.com.

BATTLE OF MOBILE BAY COMMEMORATIVE DAYAugust 3. Historic Fort Gaines. Soldier re-enactors give oral accounts of the Battle, a cannon salute every hour and blacksmith demonstrations. Historic Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island. Admission charged. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call (251) 861-6992 or visit www.dauphinisland.org.

COMMEMORATION OF BATTLE OF MOBILE BAYAugust 3. Federal and Confederate soldiers exchange artillery fire and infantry sharpshooting during the commemoration of the 149th anniversary of the Battle of Mobile Bay and Siege of Fort Morgan. Historic Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores/Fort Morgan Peninsula. Admission charged. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call (251) 540-7127 or visit www.fortmorgan.org.

SEC BEACHFESTAugust 15-18. Three days of SEC events, including appearances by legendary coaches, concerts, a golf scramble, fishing challenge 5K run and more. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. For tickets or to enter competitions, visit www.secbeachfest.com.

DAUPHIN STREET BEER FESTIVALAugust 24. 16th annual event offering samples of more than 100 beers in 30 plus taverns and restaurants. LODA entertainment district, downtown Mobile. Tickets are $25. 6-9 p.m. Call (251) 208-1550 or visit www.facebook.com/dauphinstreetbeerfestival.

GRAND SUMMER BALLAugust 24. Annual black tie evening benefits Thomas Hospital. Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Center and Spa, Point Clear. For tickets or sponsorship opportunities, call (251) 279-1517 or visit www.thomashospital.com.

Calendar JULY|AUG|SEPT

Gulf Coast Ethnic and Heritage Jazz Festival.


September15TH ANNUAL CHEF CHALLENGESeptember 5. This year’s challenge is “A Challenge to End Hunger.” Proceeds are used by Bay Area Food Bank to help those in need in South Alabama. 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center. 6- 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $50. Call (251) 653-1617 or visit www.bayareafoodbank.org.

BRETT/ROBINSON ALABAMA COASTAL TRIATHLON & TRI-IT-ON TRIATHLONSeptember 7. Triathlon includes a 1.5k swim in the Gulf of Mexico, a 40k bike ride passing over Perdido Pass Bridge and a 10k scenic run. The Tri-it-on Triathlon includes a 300-yard swim, a 10-mile bike ride and a 2-mile run. The Hangout, Gulf Shores. Visit www.team-magic.com.

9TH ANNUAL L.A. SONGWRITERS FESTIVALSeptember 12-14. Thirty-six original songwriters will perform throughout the weekend with a jam session at the end of each night’s performances. There will also be vendor exhibits, festival activities and food.

Event benefits The Haven, a no-kill animal shelter. American Legion Post 199, Fairhope. Admission: $15/day or $25 couple/day. Three-day pass available for $30. Call (251) 928-9132 or visit www.americanlegion199.com.

SALUTE TO AIRBUS!September 14. Mobile Symphony Orchestra opens the season with a salute to Airbus as the orchestra performs Wagner’s Flying Dutchman Overture and Saint-Saëns’ majestic and powerful “Organ Symphony.” Sat, 8 p.m.; Sun, 2:30 p.m. Saenger Theatre, downtown Mobile. Tickets are $20-$65. For tickets or more information, call (251) 432-2010 or visit www.mobilesymphony.org.

26TH ANNUAL COASTAL CLEANUPSeptember 21. Help pick up trash along Alabama’s waterways. 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Throughout Mobile and Baldwin. Visit www.alcoastalcleanup.com for specific cleanup zones.

INAUGURAL SEAGRASS CONCERT SERIESSeptember 21. The SeaGrass Concert Series, presented by the South Mobile County Tourism Authority, is a series of live musical performances spotlighting the rich roots and music traditions of new and traditional folk, roots rock, bluegrass, singer/songwriter, acoustic blues, Cajun, and other forms of American roots music which make up the Americana music genre. The inaugural concert will feature Texas Roots Legend Delbert McClinton. Historic Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island. Call (251) 861-8747 or visit www.dauphinislandtourism.com.

MOBILE FASHION WEEKSeptember 22-28. Runway-style shows and special discounts at local boutiques all week. A portion of proceeds benefits Camp Rap-A-Hope. Various locations around downtown Mobile. www.mobilefashionweek.com.

Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation Rodeo, August 1-3. Photo: Robert Tarabella.

DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN?

YOU SHOULD.GET ACQUAINTED SEPTEMBER 5,6&7

OR VISIT MOBILEMUSEUMOFART.COM OR RUMORUNION.COM


Historic Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island (left) is just a short ferry ride from its counterpart, Fort Morgan in Gulf Shores (right).

Cannons will once again thunder on August 3, when Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan host special events to observe the 149th anniversary of the Battle of Mobile Bay and the Siege of Fort Morgan.

Through a variety of activities scheduled for the Battle of Mobile Commemorative Day, the two historic forts will mark the anniversary of their involvement in one of the most iconic and pivotal sea battles of the Civil War. At Historic Fort Gaines, on the eastern tip of Dauphin Island, several cannon salutes will be fired in remembrance of the soldiers who fought the famous battle. Re-enactors dressed in uni-forms from the era will give oral accounts of the events of that day, and a resident blacksmith will provide demonstrations. Across the bay, at Fort Morgan, located at the west of Gulf Shores, Federal and Confederate re-enactors will exchange artillery fire and demonstrate infantry sharpshooting.

The Battle of Mobile Bay is considered to have been a major turning point in the Civil War because it was the first of a series of successes for the Union, which helped secure the reelection of President Abraham Lincoln. In the summer of 1864, the Port of Mobile was the only major port east of the Mississippi River still under Confederate control. As such, it provided a critical point of access for blockade runners carrying vital sup-plies from Havana, Cuba, into Mobile. Union General Ulysses Grant made its capture a top priority.

At dawn on August 5, Admiral David Farragut steamed into the bay bringing a force of 18 Union warships, including four ironclads. The Confederate squadron’s four ships were heavily outnumbered, but staged a valiant battle. Admiral Franklin Buchanan had the advantage of two powerful Confederate batteries inside both forts, as well as the Tennessee, considered to be the most powerful ironclad afloat at the time.

It was during this dramatic battle that Admiral Farragut is said to have shouted: “Damn the torpedoes – full speed ahead,” after one of his ships received heavy fire and then was sunk by one of the mines placed in the bay. The rest of the Union ships managed to avoid the torpedoes and out-battle the smaller Confederate gunboats as well as the Tennessee, which eventu-ally surrendered. Union forces then laid siege to the forts.

Fort Gaines was surrendered on August 8 and Fort Morgan fell on August 25, but the city of Mobile remained a Confederate stronghold until the spring of 1865. Before the city fell, there was one more epic clash between Union and Confederate forces, this time at Fort Blakeley.

Led by General E.R.S. Canby, Union forces pursued a strategy of attacking the heavily fortified city of Mobile from the east-ern shore of Mobile Bay. In late March of 1865, Union troops advanced on both Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley, overtaking Spanish Fort on April 8. On April 9, nearly 16,000 Union soldiers attacked and overwhelmed the 4,000 Confederate troops at Fort Blakeley. Neither side was aware Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox Courthouse in Richmond, Va., six hours before the battle at Fort Blakeley ended, giving the fort on the Tensaw River the dubious honor of being the site of the last major battle of the Civil War.

Today, Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan hold their place in his-tory, standing on either side of the entrance to Mobile Bay, while Fort Blakeley occupies the high ground overlooking the Tensaw River. All three sites are open to the public and offer opportunities for visitors to learn about historic events, study the wide variety of birds that migrate through the area, or simply enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings.

DAMN THE TORPEDOES–FULL SPEED AHEAD!

Historic Forts Keep Mobile History Alive


At Fort Gaines, visitors can tour the well-preserved ramparts, observe re-enactments of the battles, hike or bike along the pathways, or just enjoy the panoramic views of Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay.

Along with daytime tours, reenact-ments and general sightseeing, Fort Morgan offers Tuesday evening Civil War Twilight Tours from 7 to 9:30 p.m. during June and July, an annual Confederate Living History Day each April and special tributes each Memorial Day and July 4.

OF FURTHER NOTE: FORT CONDÉ AND FORT MIMSTo follow this area’s military history even further back, Fort Condé and Fort Mims offer glimpses of two other eras. Originally constructed by the French in the 1720s to protect the city of Mobile, Fort Conde once covered several blocks of the city’s downtown area. Named in honor of a French general, it was considered one of the strongest forts on the Gulf Coast and one of the best-constructed forts on the entire continent.

In 1763, it was turned over to the British, who renamed it Fort Charlotte, as part of the agreement that ended the French and Indian War, but by 1780 it came under Spanish control. Fighting alongside American volunteers, Spanish forces won the Battle of Fort Charlotte,

one of only two major Revolutionary War battles that took place in Alabama. In 1813, U.S. troops took over the fort and held it until 1820, when Congress ordered that it be dismantled.

In the 1970s, the City of Mobile began reconstructing Fort Condé, building a replica that is about one-third the size of the original structure. Opened on July 4, 1976, as part of Mobile’s cel-ebration of the U.S. Bicentennial, it is now a museum and serves as the city’s welcome center.

Fort Mims, located in the northern part of Baldwin County, near Stockton, was the site of a brutal massacre on August 30, 1813, an event that was likely a leading cause of the Creek War of 1813-1814. Concerned about the Redsticks, a faction of the Creek Indian Nation that opposed growing U.S. influence in the area, European and American settlers built a rough stockade around the plan-tation of Samuel Mims, one of Baldwin County’s earliest settlers.

On August 30, the fort was attacked by about 700 Redstick warriors. After five hours of brutal battle, 300 attackers and defenders were dead, including most of the women and children at the fort. As news of the massacre spread, troops from surrounding states and territories joined the fight and on August 9, 1814, Creek leaders ceded 23 million acres to the U.S. government.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Fort Mims is considered one of the most significant historic sites in the south. The five-acre site, now owned and operated by the Alabama Historical Commission and the Fort Mims Restoration Association, includes a partial reconstruction of the stockade.

An annual commemoration and re-en-actment is held each August but visi-tors are welcome throughout the year. There are picnic tables, an interpretive walkway and a monument placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution that provides details of the fort and the battle.

For More Informat ionFORT BLAKELEYwww.blakeleypark.com(251) 626-0798

FORT CONDÉwww.museumofmobile.com(251) 208-7659

FORT MIMSwww.fortmims.org(251) 937-5710

HISTORIC FORT MORGANwww.fortmorgan.org (251) 540-5257

HISTORIC FORT GAINESwww.dauphinisland.org(251) 861-6992

1812 Re-enactment at Fort Condé

Re-enactors provide first hand accounts of the Battle of Mobile Bay and demonstrate life at a Gulf Coast fort in the 1800s at Dauphin Island’s Fort Gaines on August 3.


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360 Jazz Café ..................................... 7

Alabama Cruises .............................. 23

Alabama Gulf Seafood ..................... 31

Alabama Public Radio ...................... 17

Baumhower’s ...................................... 5

Bayfest ............................................... 7

Bellingrath Gardens ......................... 23

Bimini Bob’s ........................................ 5

The Blind Mule Restaurant & Bar .... 10

Blue Gill Restaurant ......................... 27

Cabo Coastal Cantina ...................... 32

Crescent Theater .............................. 32

Downtown Mobile Alliance ............. 10

Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce .................... 17

Felix’s Fish Camp Grill ...................... 27

Holiday, Inc. ...................................... 10

Legacy Bar & Grill ............................ 32

Metal Benders Jewelry Gallery ................................ 47

MIC Designs ..................................... 17

Mobile Bay CVB ................................. 3

Mobile Regional Airport .................... 2

Museum of Mobile .......................... 20

MyStockShotz.com .......................... 46

Pirate’s Cove Yacht Club .................. 32

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse .................. 27

Tunnel to Tower 5K .......................... 23

TP Crockmiers .................................... 7

USS Alabama ................................... 12

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