Fort Conde, Alabama – Flying Various Flags
Nestled in the heart of Mobile, Alabama, stands a testament to centuries of history and shifting allegiances: Fort Conde. Originally established as Fort Louis de la Mobile in 1702 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, this strategic location served as a pivotal point in the colonial landscape of the Gulf Coast. In its early days, this region formed a crucial part of French Louisiana, acting as a focal point for exploration and settlement. Mobile itself held the esteemed position of capital for the French colony, a status it achieved when it was first established at its initial site along the Mobile River. The city’s rich religious heritage is evidenced by its Roman Catholic parish, which traces its roots back to 1703.
However, the nascent settlement faced challenges. A significant flood of the Mobile River caused substantial damage to the original fort, prompting a relocation of both the fort and the settlement of Mobile in 1711 to their present-day location. A temporary wooden stockade, also named Fort Louis, was erected at the new site. While the capital was later moved to Biloxi in 1720, Mobile retained its importance as a vital community within the French colony.
In 1723, a new era of fortification began with the construction of a more permanent structure. A robust brick fort, built upon a solid stone foundation, began to rise. This new fortification was christened Fort Conde, a name chosen to honor King Louis XIV’s brother, the Prince of Condé. The impressive design included a dry moat and extensive earthwork defenses surrounding the main structure. Fort Conde and its adjacent buildings eventually sprawled across approximately 11 acres of land. Its distinctive seven-pointed star shape, with guard towers strategically positioned at each point, was further enhanced by significant surrounding earthworks. Notably, its design shares similarities with the Spanish fort Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida, reflecting the common military engineering principles of the time. The initial construction of Fort Conde was a collaborative effort, involving a crew of 20 enslaved Africans and five European workmen.
The primary objective of Fort Conde was to provide a robust defense against potential attacks from British or Spanish forces, safeguarding the easternmost reaches of the French Louisiana colony. The strategic significance of Mobile and Fort Conde cannot be overstated. The fort served as a crucial point of access to the strategically important region nestled between the Mississippi River and the Atlantic colonies, along the Alabama and Tombigbee Rivers. It also functioned as a vital base for French exploration and expansion into much of what is now the state of Alabama. Supplies and troops destined for upriver forts, such as Fort Toulouse (near present-day Montgomery), were dispatched from Fort Conde, which served as the military headquarters for the entire region. For nearly a century, from 1723 to 1820, Fort Conde stood as a vigilant guardian of Mobile and its citizens.
The story of Fort Conde is one of changing hands and shifting geopolitical landscapes. The fort remained under French control until 1763, when it was ceded to the British, along with the rest of Alabama, as part of the agreement that concluded the French and Indian War.
Under British rule, the fort underwent another name change, becoming Fort Charlotte in honor of King George III’s wife, Queen Charlotte. The British maintained a garrison at the fort throughout the tumultuous years of the American Revolution. During this period, Mobile experienced a period of commercial growth, becoming a significant trade center. However, its prosperity also made it a target for Spain, which had allied itself with the United States during the American Revolution.
A pivotal moment in the fort’s history occurred on February 10, 1780, when General Bernardo de Galvez led a combined force of Spanish troops and American volunteers to initiate the Battle of Fort Charlotte. This battle was one of two significant engagements of the American Revolution that took place in Alabama. The allied forces laid siege to the fort, engaging in a month-long struggle against Fort Charlotte’s British garrison for control of the fortress and, ultimately, the entire Mobile Bay area. The British finally surrendered on March 14, 1780, effectively ending England’s claim to present-day Alabama.
With the Spanish in control, the fort was once again renamed, this time becoming Fort Carlota. In addition to stationing a garrison in Mobile, Galvez ordered the construction of a new fort on the bluffs across the bay, at the location of what is now known as Spanish Fort. This new fortification successfully withstood a final British attack, solidifying the name of the community that grew around it. The Spanish maintained control of Fort Carlota until 1813, when United States troops occupied it.
Under U.S. control, the fort reverted to its previous British name, Fort Charlotte. However, its role as a defensive structure was coming to an end. In 1820, the U.S. Congress authorized the sale and removal of the fort, deeming it no longer necessary for defense. Subsequently, city funds were allocated for its demolition, paving the way for the construction of new streets eastward towards the river and southward. By late 1823, most of the above-ground traces of Mobile’s historic fort had vanished, leaving only underground structures as remnants of its storied past.
The story of Fort Conde doesn’t end with its demolition. In the 1970s, a remarkable project was undertaken to reconstruct approximately one-third of the original fort, albeit at an 80% scale. This reconstruction effort culminated in the opening of the new Fort Conde on July 4, 1976, as a centerpiece of Mobile’s celebration of the United States bicentennial.
Today, the reconstructed Fort Conde serves as the official Welcome Center for the City of Mobile, offering visitors a glimpse into the region’s rich and complex history. Located at 150 South Royal Street, the fort is open to the public and offers free admission. It stands as a powerful symbol of the various flags that have flown over Mobile, each representing a different era and a different chapter in the city’s enduring story. From its origins as a French outpost to its role in the American Revolution and its eventual transformation into a modern welcome center, Fort Conde remains a tangible link to the past, inviting visitors to explore the layers of history that have shaped the city of Mobile.