Mobile was originally founded in 1702 as the capital of French colonial Louisiana. In 1720, the capital moved west to Fort Maurpas at Biloxi.
Following the American Revolutionary War, Mobile was occupied by Spain. Mobile initially became a part of the United States in 1813, when it was captured by Andrew Jacksons forces and was added to the Mississippi Territory, then later ceded to the Alabama Territory in 1819.
The settlement at Mobile was first founded in 1702 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville as Fort Louis de la Louisiane approximately 27 miles up river from the mouth of Mobile Bay. Following flooding on the Mobile River and subsequent damages to the fort, Mobile was relocated in to the its current location. A temporary wooden stockade-style fortification was initially built at the new location but was quickly supplemented by a newer brick and mortar fortification with substantial brick foundations (as seen in the images). The new Fortification was named Fort Condé in honor of Louis Henri de Bourbon, duc de Bourbon, and prince de Condé.
The fortification provided security for Mobile and its citizens from 1723-1820. Strategically the port and fortification at Mobile protected western access to the Atlantic colonies from both the Alabama and Tombigbee Rivers.
Fort Conde and the foundations of Colonial Mobile
Fort Conde and the foundations of Colonial Mobile
Fort Charlotte, Fort Conde and the foundations of Colonial Mobile
Fort Charlotte
Fort Charlotte
Fort Charlotte
