RECREATION AND PROTECTED AREAS

PLACES / PEOPLE OF INTEREST 

The Bankhead Tunnel, is a “trench type” underriver tunnel built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1941. The tunnel is used for automobile traffic that is entering the city of Mobile from the eastern side of the bay. As the vehicles pass through these enormous steel tubes, ship traffic passes undisturbed above, and marks the beginning of the voyage up the Mobile River to destinations on the Alabama, Black Warrior, Tombigbee, and even all the way to the Tennessee River. (Cruising Guide)

The Alabama State Docks are among the most modern and efficient seaport operations in the world. Up to 34 oceangoing vessels can use these docks simultaneously. The Docks are located at Mile 0.0 on the Mobile River.

The city of Mobile is Alabama’s second largest city after Birmingham, and sits just 31 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico. Mobile has a long tradition of French influence which is evident today. The ornate architecture of the city can be seen on many of the original main streets such as Dauphin and Government Street. In the mid 19^th century Mobile actually rivaled New Orleans as a shipping center. During America’s two world wars, Mobile became important for their production of ships.

Mardi Gras

Dauphin Island Sea Lab

The Last Slave Ship to Land in Mobile
Sometime after 1807 when the import of slaves into Alabama had been prohibited, smuggling by risk-taking slave traders continued. Mobile had long been a large slave market for the south, but when Tim Meaher arrived in Mobile at night in his vessel the Clothilde he had difficulty selling his human cargo. After sending a few to upriver plantations on the Tombigbee, he decided rather than risk being caught on his way back out to the Gulf he would set his remaining cargo free in the swamplands. Those freed stayed together and settled the town of Plateau where their descendants remain today. (Cruising Guide)

RECREATION

PROTECTED AREAS

Weeks Bay

THE GRAND BAY SAVANNA TRACT in Mobile County consists of a 2,733- acre nature preserve comprising a unique coastal wetland ecosystem. In addition to passive recreational use, the tract is utilized for educational and research purposes. Forever Wild.