Daphne, Alabama
Encyclopedia
Daphne is a city in Baldwin County
Baldwin County, Alabama
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*85.7% White*9.4% Black*0.7% Native American*0.7% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.5% Two or more races*4.4% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...

, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...

, United States, on the eastern shoreline of Mobile Bay
Mobile Bay
Mobile Bay is an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico, lying within the state of Alabama in the United States. Its mouth is formed by the Fort Morgan Peninsula on the eastern side and Dauphin Island, a barrier island on the western side. The Mobile River and Tensaw River empty into the northern end of the...

. The city is located along I-10, 11 miles east of Mobile
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...

 and 150 miles southwest of the state capital of Montgomery
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...

. The United States Census 2000 lists the population of the city as 16,581 making Daphne the most populous city in Baldwin County. The U.S. Census estimated its population at approximately 19,542 in 2009. It is a principal city of the Daphne-Fairhope-Foley micropolitan area
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley micropolitan area
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley Micropolitan Statistical Area covers all of Baldwin County, the largest county by area in Alabama, which is located in the Mobile Bay region. As of 2007, the population was 171,769...

, which includes all of Baldwin County.

The inhabited history of what is now called Daphne dates at least to the Paleo-Indian period and Native American tribes around 9000 BC. Modern day Daphne is a thriving suburb of nearby Mobile with all the expected amenities of 21st century life.

Geography

Daphne is located at 30°37'52.640" North, 87°53'11.184" West (30.631289, -87.886440). It is one of three cities that are collectively known as Eastern Shore
Eastern Shore (Alabama)
Eastern Shore is a colloquial term referring to the geographic eastern shoreline of Mobile Bay in southwest Alabama. It extends from just north of Interstate 10 to the southeastern end of the bay near Weeks Bay. Since there is no official boundary set for the "Eastern Shore" its usage is subject to...

 by locals. They are Spanish Fort
Spanish Fort, Alabama
Spanish Fort is a suburb of Mobile, Alabama in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States, located on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. The 2000 census lists the population of the city as 5,423. It is part of the Daphne-Fairhope-Foley micropolitan area....

 to the north, Daphne in the center and Fairhope
Fairhope, Alabama
Fairhope is a city in Baldwin County, Alabama, on a sloping plateau, along the cliffs and shoreline of Mobile Bay. The 2010 census lists the population of the city as 16,176....

 to the south.

The topography of Daphne is generally consistent from a gently sloping sea level on the west to low rolling hills further east. Generally, the entire city lies no more than 150 feet above sea level.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.1 square miles (36.5 km²), of which 13.5 square miles (35 km²) are land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) (4.47%) is water.

Nearby communities include: Fairhope
Fairhope, Alabama
Fairhope is a city in Baldwin County, Alabama, on a sloping plateau, along the cliffs and shoreline of Mobile Bay. The 2010 census lists the population of the city as 16,176....

, Loxley
Loxley, Alabama
Loxley is a town in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 1,348. It is part of the Daphne-Fairhope-Foley micropolitan area...

, Mobile
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...

,
Point Clear
Point Clear, Alabama
Point Clear is an unincorporated census-designated place in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 1,876. It is part of the Daphne–Fairhope–Foley Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...

, Robertsdale
Robertsdale, Alabama
Robertsdale is a city in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 3,782. It is part of the Daphne–Fairhope–Foley Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...

, Silverhill
Silverhill, Alabama
Silverhill is a town in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 616. It is part of the Daphne–Fairhope–Foley Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...

, Summerdale
Summerdale, Alabama
Summerdale is a rural town in south-central Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. It is the site of the NOLF Summerdale Airport. At the 2000 census the population was 655. It is part of the Daphne–Fairhope–Foley Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Summerdale is located at...

, Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores, Alabama
-External links:*...

, Orange Beach
Orange Beach, Alabama
Orange Beach is a city in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 3,784. It is part of the Daphne–Fairhope–Foley Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...

, Bay Minette
Bay Minette, Alabama
Bay Minette is a city in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city was 7,820. According to the 2007 U.S. Census estimates, the city had an population of about 7,726 people. The city is the county seat of Baldwin County...

, Foley
Foley, Alabama
Foley is a city in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States.The 2000 census lists the population of the city as 7,590.Foley is a principal city of the Daphne–Fairhope–Foley Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Baldwin County....

, Magnolia Springs
Magnolia Springs, Alabama
Magnolia Springs, Alabama is a town in south Baldwin County, in the Daphne–Fairhope–Foley Micropolitan Statistical Area. The town voted to incorporate in 2006.-History:...

, Elberta
Elberta, Alabama
Elberta is a town in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 552. It is part of the Daphne–Fairhope–Foley Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...

, Belforest
Belforest, Alabama
Belforest is a small, unincorporated community in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. It is located just east of Daphne. The area provides residents a volunteer fire department and a water system....

, and Malbis
Malbis, Alabama
Malbis is an unincorporated settlement in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. The community lies at the crossroads of U.S. 90 and Alabama State Route 181 just south of I-10. Portions of the settlement are today within the city limits of Daphne...

.

Demographics

As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...

 of 2000, there were 16,581 people, 6,563 households, and 4,670 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...

 was 1,230.5 people per square mile (475.3/km2). There were 7,222 housing units at an average density of 536.0 per square mile (207.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.33% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, 12.35% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

 or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, 0.30% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, 0.61% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, 0.01% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, 0.43% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, and 0.97% from two or more races. 1.53% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

 or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

 of any race.

There were 6,563 households out of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...

 living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $52,603, and the median income for a family was $61,563. Males had a median income of $46,576 versus $29,052 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...

 for the city was $25,597. About 2.6% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

History

The history of Daphne predates recorded history and shares much in common with other southeastern towns and cities. From Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...

, to the Spanish, French and British, the city has seen a lengthy parade of historic influences which gives Daphne its present character.

Daphne is also known as the “Jubilee City.” A Jubilee in Mobile Bay
Mobile Bay jubilee
Jubilee is the name used locally for a natural phenomenon that occurs sporadically on the shores of Mobile Bay, a large body of water on Alabama's Gulf Coast. During a jubilee many species of crab and shrimp, as well as flounder, eels, and other demersal fish will leave deeper waters and swarm—in...

 occurs when crab, shrimp
Shrimp
Shrimp are swimming, decapod crustaceans classified in the infraorder Caridea, found widely around the world in both fresh and salt water. Adult shrimp are filter feeding benthic animals living close to the bottom. They can live in schools and can swim rapidly backwards. Shrimp are an important...

, and other sea life from the waters of Mobile Bay
Mobile Bay
Mobile Bay is an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico, lying within the state of Alabama in the United States. Its mouth is formed by the Fort Morgan Peninsula on the eastern side and Dauphin Island, a barrier island on the western side. The Mobile River and Tensaw River empty into the northern end of the...

 are suddenly found washed ashore along the coastline. Biologists believe the phenomenon is due to a possible decrease in water oxygen levels which force the fish to the surface.

Native American history

Early settlers to the region were hunter-gather tribes similar to those in North Alabama. Small clans worked together to acquire food and to provide for their families. Initially, these groups enjoyed an economy based upon hunting and scavenging but as time passed production of weapons and pottery became more advanced. During the late Woodland stage Native Americans began to practice more elaborate ritual services. Although no burial grounds are known in Daphne, they are scattered throughout nearby Baldwin County. By 1500, the zenith of Native American culture in South Alabama, it is estimated that a community of about 5,000 lived within 50 miles of the seacoast. These peoples were among the first who met Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto in 1540. From this meeting forward, the original settlers faced a disaster from which they did not recover.

European exploration and settlement

The first European settlers to the area of Daphne came in 1540 and the period of Spanish Exploration. Prior to that time the region was populated by a variety of Native American tribes. In 1763, the community of Daphne was established and was known simply as “the Village.” The town of Daphne was officially established, although unincorporated, in April 1874 when the Post Office for Daphne was opened. The town was named the county seat of Baldwin County, Alabama
Baldwin County, Alabama
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*85.7% White*9.4% Black*0.7% Native American*0.7% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.5% Two or more races*4.4% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...

, in 1868 after the previous county seat, Blakely, was destroyed in the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...

.

Modern History

Daphne remained the county seat until a legislative act of 1900, when the county seat was moved to Bay Minette
Bay Minette, Alabama
Bay Minette is a city in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city was 7,820. According to the 2007 U.S. Census estimates, the city had an population of about 7,726 people. The city is the county seat of Baldwin County...

. Daphne residents resisted the change and would not allow the county records to be removed. Those records were stolen in a late night raid and moved to Bay Minette.

On July 8, 1927, Daphne was incorporated with a request for incorporation signed by 41 landowners. On September 19, 1927, the town held its first election. The first Mayor was James M. Voltz. An attempt in 1946 to revoke incorporation by unhappy residents failed.

In February, 2008, Daphne became the last of the large cities in Baldwin County to enact a public smoking ban. After contentious council meetings, the ban was passed while exempting bars, private clubs and up to 30% of rooms in a hotel.

In November 2010, Daphne City Council was persuaded by a single student from Bayside Academy to enact a ban against texting while driving.

Government

Daphne is incorporated in Baldwin County, Alabama
Baldwin County, Alabama
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*85.7% White*9.4% Black*0.7% Native American*0.7% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.5% Two or more races*4.4% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...

. It is governed by a mayor and city council, both of which are elected by popular vote every four years. A semi-autonomous Utilities Board and Zoning Commission support the governance of the city.
Daphne’s current mayor is Fred Small, who is presently in his second term. Small, who serves as a full-time mayor, is also a local businessman.
A seven member city council serves the city of Daphne. Council Members are selected within districts. The council is presently composed of the following:

Bailey Yelding, Jr., District One

Cathy Barnette, District Two

John L. Lake, District Three

Kelly D. Reese, District Four

Ron Scott, District Five

Derek Boulware, District Six

August Palumbo, District Seven

Education

Public schools in Daphne are part of the Baldwin County Public Schools system. Three elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school serve the Daphne area.
High schools


  • Daphne High School
    Daphne High School
    Daphne High School is a secondary school located in Daphne, Alabama. The school, which serves grades 9-12, is a part of the Baldwin County Public Schools district. Students at the school live in the city of Daphne and its surrounding unincorporated areas and the city of Loxley...

     (9-12)

Primary schools

  • Daphne East Elementary School (K-6)
  • Daphne Elementary School North Campus (K-3)
  • W.J. Carroll Intermediate School (Daphne South) (4-6)

Higher education

  • The United States Sports Academy
    United States Sports Academy
    The United States Sports Academy is an accredited, sport-specific institution located in Daphne, Alabama. It offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs as well as certificate programs. Founded in 1972, the Academy has provided its sports programs to more than 60 countries around the...

     is an independent, non-profit, special mission school of sport offering sport-specific residential and online distance learning programs to students, teachers, and administrators around the world. In addition, it houses the American Sport Art Museum and Archives.
  • Huntingdon College
    Huntingdon College
    Huntingdon College, founded in 1854, is a coeducational liberal arts college in Montgomery, Alabama, United States. Related to the United Methodist Church, the college's central hallmarks are faith, wisdom, and service. The college is known for providing a solid academic experience based on good...

     has a comprehensive graduate school in Daphne that focuses on business and professional graduate programs.

Recreation

Daphne has six public parks, which include the following:
  • Trione Park is a large multifield sports complex.
  • Lott Park is an older, multi-field baseball, basketball, and tennis park.
  • Centennial Park is a small children's play park.
  • May Day Park includes a large playground for young children, a boat launch into Mobile Bay and a pier.
  • Bayfront Park is a small drive up park that fronts on the bay and includes an elevated hall for parties and receptions, business meetings, etc. Gator Alley Boardwalk winds through the estuary
    Estuary
    An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea....

     and ends at a small pier. Also located on this park is the Richard Scardimalia Pavilion where weddings are also performed.
  • Village Point Park Preserve is the largest park in Daphne and was once referred to as Jackson Oak Park. It is an estuary
    Estuary
    An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea....

     for wildlife. A historic cemetery is also located on the property.

The Daphne Civic Center
Daphne Civic Center
The Daphne Civic Center is a multipurpose convention and performing arts center located in Daphne, Alabama, USA . The Center features of exhibit and meeting space in the main exhibit hall, which also features a 37-by-70-foot permanent stage. For concerts, the exhibit hall can seat 1,700; for...

 is a city-owned facility used to host a variety of recurring and specials events for the community. Constructed at a cost of $6 million, it opened to the public in December 1999.

Notable residents

  • Abu Mansoor Al-Amriki
    Abu Mansoor Al-Amriki
    Omar Shafik Hammami , known by the pseudonym Abu Mansoor Al-Amriki , is an American member of the Somali Islamist paramilitary group al-Shabaab.-Early life:...

     (born Omar Hammami), American-born member of the Somali Islamist paramilitary group al-Shabaab
    Al-Shabaab (Somalia)
    Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen , more commonly known as al-Shabaab , is a terrorist group of militants fighting to overthrow the government of Somalia. As of 2011, the group controls large swathes of the southern parts of Somalia, where it is said to have imposed its own strict form of Sharia law...

    .
  • Jeremy Clark
    Jeremy Clark
    Jeremy Terrell Clark is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2007...

    , a football player
    American football
    American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...

     for the New York Giants
    New York Giants
    The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

  • Courtney Duncan
    Courtney Duncan
    Courtney Duncan , is a retired Major League Baseball player who played pitcher from -. He would play for the Chicago Cubs. He now is a pitching trainer in Huntsville,AL.-External links:...

    , a major league baseball
    Major League Baseball
    Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...

     player.
  • Atlas Herrion
    Atlas Herrion
    Atlas Herrion is an American football offensive lineman for the Arizona Rattlers of Arena Football 1. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Alabama....

    , American football
    American football
    American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...

     offensive lineman of several NFL
    National Football League
    The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...

     teams who currently plays for the Arizona Rattlers
    Arizona Rattlers
    The Arizona Rattlers are a professional arena football team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Conference in the Arena Football League . The Rattlers were founded in 1992 as an expansion team. They play their home games at US Airways Center...

     of Arena Football 1.
  • Joseph Lawson Howze
    Joseph Lawson Howze
    Joseph Lawson E. Howze is an African American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Biloxi from 1977 to 2001.-Early life:...

    , prelate
    Prelate
    A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...

     of the Roman Catholic Church
    Roman Catholic Church
    The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...

     who served as Bishop of Biloxi
    Roman Catholic Diocese of Biloxi
    The Roman Catholic Diocese of Biloxi encompasses 17 counties in south Mississippi. It was erected on March 1, 1977, when it was split from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jackson...

     from 1977 to 2001.
  • Kenny King
    Kenny King (defensive lineman)
    Kenny King is a Canadian football defensive tackle free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama....

    , a football player
    American football
    American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...

     now with the Canadian Football League
    Canadian Football League
    The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....

    .
  • Pat White, college football player (West Virginia University Mountaineers), 2007 Heisman Trophy
    Heisman Trophy
    The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...

    finalist.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK