History of Dauphin Island by Jason Will

Dauphin Island is situated in Alabama, Mobile County. The beautiful town is located on a barrier island, in the Mexico Gulf. Its population is 1,371 and the city is part of the Mobile metro area. The original name of the island was Massacre Island. Afterwards, it was named after the great-grandson of Louis XIV, Dauphin.

Dauphin Island features numerous attractions including the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Fort Gaines, various restaurants, the Estuarium public aquarium, historic sites, Dauphin Island Airport, a public pier and boat ramps. The town also has gorgeous beaches that attract numerous tourists. The most popular activity on the island is fishing. Moreover, Dauphin Island is filled with bird sanctuaries, the most famous being the Audubon Bird Sanctuary. The birds that migrate from South America to the north stop here and thus they offer locals the amazing chance to admire and photograph them.

A couple of serpentine shell middens that are almost 1400 years old, show the fact that this place was occupied by Native Americans. In the 1500s, Spanish explorers arrived on the island. Afterwards, in the 1600s, Dauphin Island was inhabited by a French population. It was then when the place got the name of Massacre Island. This title was related to the numerous human skeletons that were found there. Later, the island featured a port. The entire settlement included various residences, the harbor, warehouses, a chapel and a fort. Dauphin Island became an important trading depot, receiving goods from France, Cuba, Mexico and Haiti. Fort Gaines was constructed in 1848. In 1834, officials built a lighthouse. The current lighthouse was elevated in 1873. It’s no longer functional, but it is an historic monument.

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One of the main tourist attractions on Dauphin Island is Fort Gaines. This historic place had an important role in the American Civil War, during the Battle of Mobile Bay. Nowadays, it features various exhibits including the flagship of the admiral David Farragut and the USS Hartford anchor. The fort also features tunnel systems. Original cannons, operational kitchens and blacksmith shops and 5 brick buildings constructed before the Civil War. The museum inside Fort Gaines presents the history of Dauphin Island, including the French and Spanish colonial presences. The fort was affected by tropical storms and hurricanes and it is threatened by erosion.

Another great attraction on Dauphin Island is The Estuarium. This is an impressive saltwater and freshwater aquarium that encompasses various species of fish from all over Alabama. Visitors should also go to the bird sanctuary. This refugee is absolutely splendid. It is surrounded by a maritime forest comprising tupelo gum, slash pine, live oak and southern magnolia. Additionally, the sanctuary is located very close to the beach.

This lovely place also has a swamp, a lake, dunes and marshes. Dauphin Island’s public beach is also of particular interest for the tourists. It features connecting boardwalks, group pavilions, playgrounds, outdoor showers and bathrooms. Recently, this public beach introduced a small fee for access. Previously, West End Beach was the only beach charging the public. Those who want to see how the paradise looks like must go to Dauphin Island. They won’t regret it

History of Dauphin Island provided by Jason Will Real Estate 251-866-6464.