Blakeley, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Blakeley
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The Boyaux fortification at the Blakeley battleground
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 Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Location | Baldwin County, Alabama, along the Tensaw River north of Spanish Fort |
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| Nearest city | Spanish Fort |
| Built | 1813 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000397 |
| Added to NRHP | June 25, 1974 |
Blakeley is a historic ghost town in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. It was once a busy port city, even competing with nearby Mobile. Blakeley also served as the main government center, or county seat, for Baldwin County for many years. Today, you can visit the area as part of the Historic Blakeley State Park, which is north of Spanish Fort. It's famous for being the site of one of the very last battles of the Civil War.
Contents
Early History of Blakeley
Before the town of Blakeley was built, Native Americans lived in this area. Evidence of their lives, like a burial mound, was found near where the town would later stand. When the mound was explored, items like skulls, bones, and copper ornaments were discovered.
In 1813, a man named Josiah Blakeley founded the town. He was an entrepreneur from Connecticut who had moved to Mobile a few years earlier. He bought a large piece of land, about 7,000 acres (2,800 hectares), in the Mobile Bay area.
Founding the Town
Josiah Blakeley hired a surveyor to plan out the town in 1813. He then sold the first ten land lots. On January 6, 1814, the government of the Mississippi Territory officially allowed Josiah Blakeley to create the town. Blakeley became an officially recognized town in 1820 by the State of Alabama.
Blakeley as a Port City
After the War of 1812, Blakeley became an important place for shipbuilding. Two successful shipbuilders, Jacob Bell and David Brown, worked here. They later moved to New York City and started a famous shipyard called Brown & Bell. This company built many well-known clipper ships and steamships.
Blakeley had a "deep natural port," which meant large ships could easily reach it. This was a big advantage because ships sometimes had trouble getting into Mobile due to a sandbar. For several years, Blakeley was a strong rival to Mobile, hoping to become the most important port in the Alabama Territory. A post office operated in Blakeley from 1826 until 1866.
Blakeley During the Civil War
Blakeley was the site of a major fort during the Civil War. In April 1865, one of the last battles of the entire war happened here. Union soldiers fought against Confederate forces, and the Union soldiers eventually won. This battle took place just days before the war officially ended.
Blakeley Today
Today, Blakeley is known as a ghost town because it is no longer a populated city. In 1974, this historic area was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. This listing helps protect and preserve the site. You can visit the area at the Historic Blakeley State Park to learn more about its past.
Notable People
- Lavinia Stoddard (1787–1820), a poet and school founder, lived in Blakeley.
See also
In Spanish: Blakeley para niños
