Fort Charlotte (Mobile, Alabama)
Mobile · Alabama · French and Indian War, American Revolutionary War, War of 1812
History & Significance
Mobile was founded by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville in 1702 at 27-Mile Bluff; after river flooding damaged the fort, the settlement relocated to its current site in 1711. In 1723, French construction began on a brick fortification with stone foundation, renamed Fort Condé.
The original fort was shaped as a seven-pointed star with guard towers at the points and significant surrounding earthworks. Built to defend against British or Spanish attack and protect the strategic port, the fort controlled access between the Mississippi River and Atlantic colonies along the Alabama and Tombigbee Rivers.
The fort remained under French control until 1763, when it was transferred to Britain following the French and Indian War. During the Anglo-Spanish War of 1779–1783, Spanish general Bernardo de Gálvez and Col. José Manuel de Ezpeleta defeated the outnumbered British garrison commanded by Captain Elias Durnford, who surrendered on March 14, 1780.
Spain ruled from 1780 to 1813, renaming it Fuerte Carlota. During the War of 1812, General James Wilkinson led American forces to capture Mobile in April 1813. In 1820, Congress authorized the fort's sale and demolition; by late 1823, above-ground structures were removed to allow urban expansion.
Key Facts
Map
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🧳 Visiting
What you’ll see when you visit:
- 4/5-scale reconstructed seven-pointed star fort architecture
- Original French, British, and Spanish occupation history spanning 1723 onward
- Mobile Bay and Gulf access defensive role across three major wars
- Museum exhibits within reconstructed fortification
- Historic site overlooking Mobile's colonial waterfront
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Charlotte,_Mobile
- https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/battle-of-fort-charlotte/
- https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/fort-conde/
- https://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fortconde.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Mobile,_Alabama
- https://www.historymuseumofmobile.com/colonial-fort-conde/