Historic Blakeley State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Historic Blakeley State Park |
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A quiet road through the park
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| Type | Park |
| Location | Baldwin County, Alabama, at 34745 State Hwy. 225 Spanish Fort, Alabama, United States |
| Area | 1,400 acres (570 ha) |
| Created | 1976 |
| Website | Historic Blakeley State Park |
Historic Blakeley State Park is a special place in Baldwin County, Alabama. It's built on the land where an old town called Blakeley used to be. This park is right by the Tensaw River delta in Alabama. Long ago, many people lived and worked in Blakeley, making it a busy river town. Later, during the American Civil War, soldiers from the Confederate army were stationed here. They fought a very important battle, one of the last big fights of the war, against the Union army.
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Park History and Preservation
Historic Blakeley State Park was started by a school teacher named Mary Grice from Mobile, Alabama. In 1976, it became a private group working to save and improve the area.
Becoming a State Park
In 1981, the Alabama Legislature officially named Blakeley a state park. They also created a special group to manage it. Even though it's called a state park, it's not run by the main Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Since 2011, the park has been supported by donations and money from visitors.
A Civil War Battlefield
In 1993, the United States Congress recognized Blakeley as an important Civil War site. It's part of the Civil War Discovery Trail because of the Battle of Fort Blakeley that happened here. You can still see parts of the battlefield, like the old walls built by Confederate soldiers. There are plans to fix up more of these old structures. The Battle of Fort Blakeley involved over 16,000 soldiers. It happened on the very same day the Confederate army surrendered, ending the war. Many African-American troops were part of the Union forces in this battle.
What Was Here Before?
Today, there isn't much left of the old town of Blakeley. This spot was once a river crossing that connected Mobile and Baldwin counties. Even before the town, an ancient Native American village was located here. Later, a large farm, known as a plantation, took up this land.
Exploring the Park: Location and Activities
This park covers about 1,400-acre (570 ha) of land. You can find it on Alabama 225, about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) north of Spanish Fort, Alabama. The highway is on the east side of the park, and the river is on the west. You can even see Mobile, Alabama across the river in the distance.
Things to Do at Blakeley
- Camping: You can camp here all year round. There are spots for both simple camping (primitive) and RVs. Group campsites are also available.
- Picnics: The park has many picnic areas where you can enjoy a meal outdoors.
- Hiking: There are over ten miles (16 km) of hiking trails to explore.
- Delta Tours: During warmer months, you can take a boat tour of the delta region.
The park charges a small fee to enter and for camping.
Gatra Wehle Nature Center
The Gatra Wehle Nature Center is located on Green Street inside Historic Blakeley State Park. This center teaches visitors about conservation and the environment. It focuses on the Mobile–Tensaw River Delta. The building has a theater for showing videos and a room for exhibits and meetings.
