"Keeweechic's Mobile" a Mobile Travel Page by keeweechic

Mobile has always done well because of its location – deep bay and harbour area which offered a perfect shipping port. Dauphin Island and the islands of the Gulf Shores were also ideal for military strategists. This is where they built strong forts to assure that only those they wanted in the bay were allowed in. There are many historic forts still around to show life into the past. Mobiles name is believed to come from a Choctaw Indian word for "paddlers." . From 1702-63 the area was occupied by the French and then by the British from 1763-80, and by the Spanish from 1780-1813.

It is believed that Prince Madoc of Wales first discovered Mobile Bay in 1170. In 1510, Amerigo Vespucci was thought to have mapped Mobile Bay. He was kindly received by the native Indians who lived on both shores of the bay. The city of Mobile is the county seat. Both the city and the county derive their name from Fort Louis de la Mobile, a French fortification erected near Mount Vernon in 1702.

There are wonderful grand houses and buildings within Mobile. I was pleasantly surprised by the area as a whole. The Battleship Memorial Park was a worthwhile visit too.