1. A History of Mobile THE NEW HISTORY OF ALABAMA’S FIRST CITY

2. Prehistory of Mobile Mobile Bay is the second largest river basin system in North America. Today, Mobile Bay is up to 50 feet deep and 8 to 20 miles wide. Mobile Bay was created by ice ages. The waters advanced and retreated, leaving marshes and streams in the area. The water supported the first “advanced” animal life around the bay. Ex. Bear, deer, muskrat, sea mammals, whelks, and mussels.

3. Prehistory of Mobile, cont. 13,000 years ago, Paleo-Indians form the northwest roamed to the bay area as hunters and gatherers and created small village settlements The sub-tropical climate, rich southern pine forest, and the precipitation made this area inviting to animals and humans. In the late prehistoric period, the societies gradually became more complex Ex. Bottle Creek Mound=ancient burial practice. Evidence of improved watercraft technology

4. Unproven Myths & Interest Egyptian Explorers: In the Mobile Bay Area were possible but unlikely. Prince Madoc of Whales: Around 1170 A.D. explored Mobile Bay Amerigos Vespucci: Allegedly visited the Mobile Bay in 1497 BAHIA DEL ESPIRITU: Bay of the Holy Spirit Could have been Mobile, Pensacola or Galveston Bay. Juan Ponce De Leon

5. Unproven Myths & Interest: Cont. First Exploration: Diego de Miruelo in 1516 Governor of Jamaica, Franciso de Garay sends Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda in 1519. Purpose: to find water route to Pacific Returned with news of friendly Native Americans on coastline. Possible trade partners. Important because… This exploration aroused interest in the Gulf Coast Area.

6. Exploration and Colonization of Mobile Bay Fernando Cortez sent expeditions looking for Bay of the Holy Spirit. Cabeza de Vaca’s crew shares stories of bay. Hernando de Soto Heard stories from de Vaca’s crew Organized expedition to La Florida Sent Fernando Maldanado to find the bay Doesn’t return, de Soto goes to find him Meets Native American leader Tascalusa Go back to Tascalusa’s camp Rest of the Story...

7. Exploration & Colonization of Mobile Bay: Cont. 20 years later: Don Louis de Velasco commissioned Tristan de Luna Goal: To explore areas visited by de Soto and Maldanado Settle in the “most favorable” sites September 1558 Guido de Las Bazares’ ship reaches “Ship Island” Pascagoula Bay too shallow Sailed east, discovered Mobile Bay Named it BAHIA FILIPINA, after King Fillipe of Spain

8. Exploration & Colonization of Mobile Bay: Cont. 1559: Tristan de Luna Leaves for Mobile Arrives in Mobile Bay in mid-July Continued east to Pensacola Bay Hurricane struck Santa Rosa Island, sank 9 of 11 ships Survivors head inland for supplies from Native Americans Further traveled, conditions worsened Finally settled on the lower east side of Mobile Bay Results of Expeditions: Hardships and no silver or gold left only important knowledge of the Mobile Bay Area. Information would be used later in European politics to create a settlement

9. Colonization of Mobile Three Main European Powers Spain France Great Britain France particularly important to early history Why? Cavalier de la Salle staked claim to the Mississippi Valley in 1682 in the name of France. Renewed Spanish interests in Gulf Coast Jerome Phelypeaux de Maurepas de Ponchartrian becomes Minister of Marine Wanted to colonize Louisiana

10. Colonization of Mobile: Cont. Pierre le Moyne d’Iberville was commissioned to reconquer the mouth of the Mississippi River He nicknamed Dauphin Island “Massacre Island” because of the number of bones he found in ceremonial mounds. Pierre d’Iberville moved from bay to bay. Pensacola > Mobile > Biloxi Pensacola Bay was always considered better because it had deeper waters and more narrow mouth so it was easier to defend. He established For Maurepas in the Biloxi Bay.

11. Colonization of Mobile: Cont. Advantages of Mobile Bay and La Salle’s claim to this area: River Basin Surveyed Area into Alabama & Tombigbee Rivers Therefore, he transferred to Mobile Bay in 1701 and built Fort St. Louis, named after the Sun King (King Louis XIV). Mobile became the new capital of the Louisiana colony. I’berville prepared to depart on September 29, 1701, moving the fort to Mobile Bay.

12. Colonization of Mobile, Cont. I’berville makes peace with the Choctaw and Chickasaw Native Americans to secure surrounding territory from other ambitious Europeans in the Mobile area. Mainly to keep the English out. Sent most respected and experienced lieutenant, Henry de Tonti. Mobile is founded by Jean Baptiste le Moyne de Bienville and Pierre le Moyne d’Iberville as the capital of French Louisiana in 1702.

13. French Colonization, Cont. Eventually, Bienville takes his brother’s place and struggles with leadership in new colony. Food supply was a problem. Nothing grew well in Mobile’s tropical climate. In 1704, France sent 23 available women on a ship called The Pelican. Known as Pelican Girls. Trip good, until Havana. Contracted Yellow Fever. Brought the disease to Mobile. Iberville dies in Havana of yellow fever.

14. French Colonization, Cont. Delayed supplies to Mobile and no support in France for Louisiana. His replacement, Nicholas Demay also died of yellow fever in Havana. La Salle suggests moving Mobile’s location because: It was too far upstream from river’s mouth. It was originally chosen to be near friendly natives, but the natives were not receptive anymore. Unhealthy environments-  Swampy land = Yellow Fever. No room for expansion on high ground.

15. French Colonization, Cont. April 1711: (after La Salle’s death) Floods hit for a month. May 1711: Mobile was moved from its original site which was called “27 Mile Bluff” Literally, the people had to dismantle their homes, load them on small boats, and move down river. It took several trips: wood/brick foundations were reconstructed in present day Mobile.

16. French Colonization, Cont. A new location and a fresh load of supplies from Ponchatrain helped establish a new colony…a permanent settlement at Mobile! Massacre Island renamed Isle Dauphine after Marie Adelaide de Saudye, Dauphine of France. The ship, Renommee, was the most important vessel in the colony’s early history (supplies and people). Ship made the founding voyage in 1702.