Fort Charlotte, Mobile facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Charlotte, Mobile |
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| Native names French: Fort Condé de la Mobille Spanish: Fuerte Carlota de Mobila |
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Garden façade of the partially-reconstructed fort
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| Location | 150 South Royal Street, Mobile, Alabama 36602 |
| Built | 1723 |
| Built for | Louis XV of France |
| Demolished | 1820 |
| Rebuilt | 1976 |
| Governing body | Government of Mobile |
| Important events | French and Indian War War of 1812 |
| Official name: Fort Conde-Charlotte | |
| Designated | May 21, 1969 |
| Reference no. | 69000033 |
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Fort Charlotte, Mobile is a historic fort in Mobile, Alabama. It was built in the 1700s and has been partly rebuilt today. It was known by different names, like Fort Condé (French) and Fuerte Carlota (Spanish).
Contents
A Look Back at Fort Charlotte's History
French settlers first arrived in this area in 1699. Their ships often stopped at Dauphin Island. This island is south of Mobile Bay.
How Mobile Began
The city of Mobile was started in 1702. It was founded by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. The first settlement was called Fort Louis de la Louisiane. It was located about 27 miles (43 km) up the Mobile River.
In 1711, the river flooded and damaged the fort. So, Mobile was moved to its current spot. A temporary wooden fort was built there. It was also named Fort Louis.
Building Fort Condé
In 1723, work began on a stronger fort. This new fort was made of brick with a stone base. It was later named Fort Condé. This name honored a French prince, Louis Henri de Bourbon.
The fort protected Mobile for nearly 100 years. It stood from 1723 to 1820. The French built it to guard against attacks. They wanted to protect Mobile's important port. This port was a gateway to the Gulf of Mexico. It was also key for controlling the eastern part of French Louisiana.
Fort's Size and Construction
The fort and its buildings covered about 11 acres (45,000 square meters). It was built using local brick and stone. It also had strong dirt walls and cedar wood. About 20 enslaved Black people and 5 white workers helped build the fort.
If the fort were fully rebuilt today, it would cover a large part of downtown Mobile. The Fort Condé Village neighborhood is now in this area. It includes the Conde–Charlotte House museum.
Changing Hands and Names
The fort's name changed several times.
- From 1763 to 1780, Britain controlled the area. They renamed the fort Fort Charlotte. This honored Queen Charlotte.
- From 1780 to 1813, Spain took over. They called it Fuerte Carlota.
- In 1813, United States troops arrived. The fort was again named Fort Charlotte.
Why the Fort Was Removed
By 1820, the fort was no longer needed for defense. The U.S. Congress allowed it to be sold and taken down. The city paid to remove it. This made way for new streets to be built. By 1823, most of the fort above ground was gone. Only its underground parts remained.
Rebuilding a Part of History
In 1976, a smaller version of the fort was opened. It is about 4/5 the size of the original. This was part of Mobile's celebration for the United States Bicentennial.
How Fort Charlotte Was Designed
The original Fort Condé, built in 1723, had a unique shape. It looked like a seven-pointed star. Guard towers stood at each point. It also had large earth walls around it. Its design was similar to the Spanish fort Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida.
Fort's Location and Features
The city of Mobile was built along the Mobile River. The fort faced somewhat northeast. It was on a raised area of land. This area overlooked marshland that sloped down to the river. Even today, Royal Street in Mobile is higher up. Newer streets like Water Street are closer to the river.
Some buildings inside the fort had a French mansard roof style. These roofs had dormer windows. The original fort's buildings were also longer than those in the rebuilt version.
The Mapmaker
A map of the fort was drawn in 1725 by Adrien de Pauger. He was also the designer of the Vieux Carré in New Orleans. This area was built from 1719 to 1722.
See also
In Spanish: Fort Condé para niños
