Timeline of Mobile, Alabama facts for kids

Mobile, Alabama, has a long and exciting history! This city, located in the southern United States, has been shaped by many different groups of people and important events over hundreds of years. From its early days as a French fort to becoming a busy port city, Mobile has seen a lot of changes. Let's explore some of the key moments in Mobile's past.

Early History: Before the 1800s

• 1702 – The city of Mobile began when Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville from Montreal founded Fort Louis de la Mobile.
• 1703 – The first Mardi Gras celebrations started in Mobile.
• 1722 – The capital of French Louisiana moved from Mobile to New Orleans.
• 1723 – Fort Conde was built to protect the city.
• 1763 – Mobile became part of British West Florida after a peace treaty called the Treaty of Paris (1763).
• 1780 – In March, the Battle of Fort Charlotte took place. After this, Spanish forces took control of Mobile.
• 1783 – Mobile officially became part of Spanish West Florida because of another peace treaty, the Treaty of Paris (1783).

The 1800s: Growth and Change

• 1810 – Mobile became part of the independent Republic of West Florida.
• 1813
  • Spanish West Florida joined the United States.
  • The Mobile Gazette newspaper started publishing.
• 1814 – The town of Mobile was officially recognized.
• 1819 – Mobile was officially made a city.
• 1821 – The Mobile Commercial Register newspaper began.
• 1827 – A large fire happened in the city.
• 1830
  • Spring Hill College and the City Hospital were opened.
  • The city's population was 3,194 people.
• 1839 – On October 2, another big fire struck Mobile.
• 1840 – The population grew to 12,672 people.
• 1850
  • The Mobile Evening News newspaper started.
  • The population reached 20,515 people.
  • Bienville Square, a city park, was created.
• 1852 – Public schools began in the Barton Academy building.
• 1854 – The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce was officially started.
• 1857 – The City Hall building was constructed.
• 1860 – The population of Mobile was 29,258.
• 1861 – Mobile became part of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.
• 1865 – A state meeting for African Americans, called a colored convention, was held in Mobile.
• 1868 – Africatown, a community founded by formerly enslaved people, was established near Mobile.
• 1871 – The Mobile Cotton Exchange was created, which was important for trading cotton.
• 1872 – The Mobile Carnival Association, which organizes Mardi Gras, was established.
• 1889 – The Mobile County Courthouse was built.

The 1900s: Modern Mobile Takes Shape

• 1902 – The Mobile Public Library was opened.
• 1907 – The Union Depot, a train station, was built.
• 1910 – The population reached 51,521.
• 1914 – The Rotary Club of Mobile was formed.
• 1918 – The Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company started its business.
• 1925 – The Lincoln Theatre was built.
• 1927 – The Saenger Theatre, a famous movie palace, was built.
• 1929 – The Mobile Press newspaper began publishing.
• 1937
  • A foreign trade zone was set up, making it easier for businesses to trade internationally.
  • An Aluminum Ore Company refining plant was built.
• 1940 – The population grew to 78,720.
• 1950 – The population reached 129,009.
• 1960
  • Mobile became a sister city with Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, starting a friendship between the two cities.
  • The population was 202,779.
• 1965 – Mobile established a sister city agreement with Málaga, Spain.
• 1974
  • The Azalea City News newspaper began.
  • Mobile became a sister city with Pau, France.
• 1976 – Mobile became a sister city with Worms, Germany.
• 1980
  • The U.S. Supreme Court made a decision in the Mobile v. Bolden case, which was about voting districts.
  • Mobile became a sister city with Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
• 1982 – Mobile established a sister city agreement with Zakynthos, Greece.
• 1985 – The U.S. Naval Station Mobile opened.
• 1988 – Mobile became a sister city with Rostov on Don, Russia.
• 1989
  • Mobile became a sister city with Pyeongtaek, South Korea.
  • Mike Dow became the mayor of Mobile.
• 1990 – Mobile established a sister city agreement with Katowice, Poland.
• 1992 – Mobile became a sister city with Košice, Slovakia.
• 1993
  • September 22: The 1993 Big Bayou Canot train wreck occurred near Mobile.
  • Mobile established sister city agreements with Havana, Cuba, and Ichihara, Japan.
• 1995
  • The city's official website went online.
  • Bayfest (Mobile), a music festival, began.

The 2000s: New Millennium

• 2002 – Mobile celebrated its 300th birthday since its founding.
• 2005
  • Sam Jones became the first African-American mayor elected in Mobile.
  • Mobile became a sister city with Cockburn, Australia, and Bolinao, Philippines.
• 2010 – The population of Mobile was 195,111.
• 2012 – A series of tornadoes, known as the Christmas tornado outbreak, hit the area.
• 2015 – The Bayfest music festival was cancelled.