Dauphin Island
Dauphin Island is a
barrier island off the coast of the
U.S. state of
Alabama. It was named after
Louis XIV's great-grandson and heir, the
Dauphin.
The
Gulf of Mexico is to the south of the island; the
Mississippi Sound and
Mobile Bay are to the north. The island's eastern end helps to define the mouth of Mobile Bay. The eastern, wider portion of the island is shaded by thick stands of pine trees, but the narrow, western part of the island features scrub growth and few trees.
Dauphin Island, Alabama is the name of the incorporated community situated on the island.
Encyclopedia
Dauphin Island is a
barrier island off the coast of the
U.S. state of
Alabama. It was named after
Louis XIV's great-grandson and heir, the
Dauphin.
The
Gulf of Mexico is to the south of the island; the
Mississippi Sound and
Mobile Bay are to the north. The island's eastern end helps to define the mouth of Mobile Bay. The eastern, wider portion of the island is shaded by thick stands of pine trees, but the narrow, western part of the island features scrub growth and few trees.
Dauphin Island, Alabama is the name of the incorporated community situated on the island. The island has a permanent population of about 1,200. It is home to a marine sciences laboratory, The Estuarium, and numerous private homes. Beaches attract some tourism, and fishing is a popular activity in the waters around the island. The island is connected to the mainland by the Gordon Persons Bridge.
Although the island has several bird sanctuaries, the main one is the 164 acre Audubon Bird Sanctuary. Dauphin Island is the first landfall encountered by many birds as they
migrate north from South America, and as a consequence many species can be found resting there before continuing their journey.
History
Serpentine shell middens, perhaps 1500 years old, attest to at least seasonal occupation by the Native American
Mound Builder culture. Shell Mound Park, along the Island's northern shore, is administered by Alabama Marine Resources Division.
In 1519, the Spanish explorer Alonzo Pineda was the first documented European to visit, staying long enough to map the island with remarkable accuracy.
The island's French history began on January 31, 1699, when the explorer
Pierre Le Moyne, sieur d'Iberville, virtually the founder of
French Louisiana, arrived at Mobile Bay, and anchored near the island on his way to explore the mouth of the
Mississippi River.
The first permanent settlement on the island, called "Massacre Isle" for heaps of skulls that had been found there, was a trading depot, unloading goods from
Santo Domingo and France, and collecting furs in a short-lived
fur trade. Mobile Bay itself, before it was dredged, was too shallow, and its sand bars too shifting and treacherous, for ocean-going vessels.
Dauphin Island was captured by the British in 1766 during the
Seven Years' War, but retaken by the Spanish in 1780 during the
American Revolutionary War. During the
War of 1812, American forces captured the island to prevent British forces from using it.
Fort Gaines on the eastern tip of the island was built between 1821 and 1848. It was occupied by Confederate forces in 1861, and captured by Federal troops during the
Battle of Mobile Bay. The phrase, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead," was spoken by U. S. Admiral
David Farragut just a few hundred yards from Dauphin Island's shore.
The first
Sand Island Lighthouse, authorized in 1834, was replaced by a structure 150 feet high, at a cost of $35,000, that was dynamited by Confederate forces. The present lighthouse , has been placed on the
National Register of Historic Places. Its ownership was recently transferred from the Department of Interior to the Town of Dauphin Island.
Hurricanes
Dauphin Island is one of the most vulnerable places on the Gulf Coast to hurricanes.
The bridge to the mainland was opened in 1955; it was destroyed by
Hurricane Frederic on September 12, 1979; the community received $32 million to rebuild the bridge, in spite of warnings from the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, because it would encourage development. The prediction was accurate: an island that suffered $7 million in property damage due to Frederic was host to over a quarter billion dollars in property by 2000. Since 2000, the barrier island has been struck by five hurricanes and has received millions more in federal disaster aid.
In 1985,
Hurricane Elena brought wind gusts of over 130mph to the island.
Hurricane Danny caused extensive flooding on the east end of the island in 1997.
Even the relatively weak
Hurricane Georges in 1998 destroyed 41 houses on the island; with help from the federal government, almost all their owners rebuilt.
In 2004,
Hurricane Ivan caused nearly one-fourth of the island to be covered with approximately two feet of water.
On August 29, 2005,
Hurricane Katrina brought extensive damage to Dauphin Island. Over ? of the homes on the west end of the island were destroyed. In many instances, only pilings exist were homes once stood. The east end of the island experienced flooding similar to Hurricane Ivan. The approach road to the island fared better than expected. Popular spots such as Cedar Point fishing pier, The Seafood Galley and Jemison's bait shop suffered damage that appeared beyond repair. But Jemison's has been rebuilt and is back in operation and the Cedar Point Pier is operating while being rebuilt. Boardwalk Realty, a major real estate company on the island, is being forced to rebuild after its building was almost completely demolished.
An oil drilling platform grounded near the island as the hurricane passed by. It was identified by its owners, Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc., as the Ocean Warwick, pushed nearly 60 miles from its original location by the hurricane.
Tourist attractions
A ferry from nearby
Fort Morgan in
Gulf Shores brings both vehicles and pedestrians to the island. One of the closest attractions to the ferry dock is The Estuarium, a fresh- and saltwater aquarium highlighting species native to Alabama.
Many tourists also visit the island because of the rich history. The aforementioned Fort Gaines offers daily reenactments and tours of the fort.
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