Dauphin Island, Alabama

i

Section Title

A L A B A M A

Dauphin Island

A L A B A M A

Dauphin Island

Carroll Uithoven

Photography by

Sjon Hopkins

Joy Harper Hartley Russell

WDG Publishing

1

Section Title

Editor: Sherry Sackfield

Creative Direction: Duane Wood

Design/Art Direction: Jackie Nation

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form

or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher.

Copyright © 2014 WDG Communications Inc.

The copyrights of individual photographs remain the property of the photographer credited for the image.

First published in the United States of America by

WDG Publishing

1615 32nd Street NE

Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

wdgcom.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Uithoven, Carroll, 1951-

Dauphin Island, Alabama / Carroll Uithoven ; photography by Joy Harper Hartley Russell, Sjon Hopkins.

pages cm

ISBN 978-0-9826138-4-9 (alk. paper)

1. Dauphin Island (Ala.)--History--Pictorial works. I. Title.

F332.M6U35 2014

976.1’22--dc23

2014007691

Printed in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Introduction 2

History 4

The Lighthouse 18

Island Life 24

Beaches 38

Fishing 48

Attractions 58

Events 74

Acknowledgements 94

Dauphin Island, Alabama

A L A B A M A

Dauphin Island

Joy

Har

per H

artle

y Ru

ssel

l

1

Section Title

Editor: Sherry Sackfield

Creative Direction: Duane Wood

Design/Art Direction: Jackie Nation

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form

or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher.

Copyright © 2014 WDG Communications Inc.

The copyrights of individual photographs remain the property of the photographer credited for the image.

First published in the United States of America by

WDG Publishing

1615 32nd Street NE

Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

wdgcom.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Uithoven, Carroll, 1951-

Dauphin Island, Alabama / Carroll Uithoven ; photography by Joy Harper Hartley Russell, Sjon Hopkins.

pages cm

ISBN 978-0-9826138-4-9 (alk. paper)

1. Dauphin Island (Ala.)--History--Pictorial works. I. Title.

F332.M6U35 2014

976.1’22--dc23

2014007691

Printed in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Introduction 2

History 4

The Lighthouse 18

Island Life 24

Beaches 38

Fishing 48

Attractions 58

Events 74

Acknowledgements 94

Dauphin Island, Alabama

A L A B A M A

Dauphin Island

Joy

Har

per H

artle

y Ru

ssel

l

32

Section Title

Tucked away at the end of Highway 193 about 25 miles south

of I-10, dividing Mobile Bay and the Mississippi Sound, lies an

enticing bit of real estate offering a unique combination of history

and beauty. From its earliest Native American inhabitants to

today’s modern tourists, Dauphin Island, Alabama, has provided

all who set foot on it a wealth of sand, seafood, and sunsets.

Dubbed the Sunset Capital of Alabama in July 2013, Dauphin

Island lives up to its name. Watching the sun melt into the Gulf

and observing the many colors in the surrounding sky is a regular

treat to locals and visitors alike. Dauphin Island’s job as a barrier

island makes it important to inland areas by keeping them

safe from the storms that periodically occur. Coden and

Bayou La Batre, small communities just north of Dauphin Island

as well as the city of Mobile, rely on this strip to protect them

from hurricanes.

Native Americans first inhabited Dauphin Island around 1100 AD

and left behind mounds of oyster shells that today provide food

and shelter to the many species of birds migrating through the

area. The French arrived in 1699, claiming the land until it was

seized by the Spanish in 1763. Ensuing wars involving France,

Spain, and England wreaked havoc on the island until it became

part of the United States in 1813. Dauphin Island’s Fort Gaines,

along with Fort Morgan across the bay, served as guardians to

the Mobile Bay entrance during the Civil War. It was here during

the Battle of Mobile Bay that Admiral Farragut was inspired

to say, “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!”

From the Civil War until the mid-1950s, Dauphin Island was a

world unto itself. With no bridge connecting it to the mainland the

island was self-sustaining. Fishing and oystering provided income

as well as sustenance, and cattle and goats roamed freely.

The 1950s brought about much change. The Mobile Chamber

of Commerce created a plan to build a bridge from Cedar Point

to the island. To fund this venture, lots were sold, ensuring growth

and sound financial backing. While many were enthusiastic about

this new venture, the island inhabitants did not necessarily share

in the excitement. However, the plan moved forward leading

to the harmony among islanders today.

The twenty-first century finds Dauphin Island a tranquil village

with the amenities of modern life. From cabins to condos to large

beachfront homes, the island provides accommodations for nearly

everyone. Birding, fishing, walking, biking, or sunset watching all

have a place here. Artists and fishermen alike enjoy being on

island time and finding serenity at its finest.

Dubbed the Sunset Capital of Alabama in July 2013, Dauphin Island lives up to its name. Jo

y H

arpe

r Har

tley

Russ

ell

32

Section Title

Tucked away at the end of Highway 193 about 25 miles south

of I-10, dividing Mobile Bay and the Mississippi Sound, lies an

enticing bit of real estate offering a unique combination of history

and beauty. From its earliest Native American inhabitants to

today’s modern tourists, Dauphin Island, Alabama, has provided

all who set foot on it a wealth of sand, seafood, and sunsets.

Dubbed the Sunset Capital of Alabama in July 2013, Dauphin

Island lives up to its name. Watching the sun melt into the Gulf

and observing the many colors in the surrounding sky is a regular

treat to locals and visitors alike. Dauphin Island’s job as a barrier

island makes it important to inland areas by keeping them

safe from the storms that periodically occur. Coden and

Bayou La Batre, small communities just north of Dauphin Island

as well as the city of Mobile, rely on this strip to protect them

from hurricanes.

Native Americans first inhabited Dauphin Island around 1100 AD

and left behind mounds of oyster shells that today provide food

and shelter to the many species of birds migrating through the

area. The French arrived in 1699, claiming the land until it was

seized by the Spanish in 1763. Ensuing wars involving France,

Spain, and England wreaked havoc on the island until it became

part of the United States in 1813. Dauphin Island’s Fort Gaines,

along with Fort Morgan across the bay, served as guardians to

the Mobile Bay entrance during the Civil War. It was here during

the Battle of Mobile Bay that Admiral Farragut was inspired

to say, “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!”

From the Civil War until the mid-1950s, Dauphin Island was a

world unto itself. With no bridge connecting it to the mainland the

island was self-sustaining. Fishing and oystering provided income

as well as sustenance, and cattle and goats roamed freely.

The 1950s brought about much change. The Mobile Chamber

of Commerce created a plan to build a bridge from Cedar Point

to the island. To fund this venture, lots were sold, ensuring growth

and sound financial backing. While many were enthusiastic about

this new venture, the island inhabitants did not necessarily share

in the excitement. However, the plan moved forward leading

to the harmony among islanders today.

The twenty-first century finds Dauphin Island a tranquil village

with the amenities of modern life. From cabins to condos to large

beachfront homes, the island provides accommodations for nearly

everyone. Birding, fishing, walking, biking, or sunset watching all

have a place here. Artists and fishermen alike enjoy being on

island time and finding serenity at its finest.

Dubbed the Sunset Capital of Alabama in July 2013, Dauphin Island lives up to its name. Jo

y H

arpe

r Har

tley

Russ

ell

54

History

History

54

History

History

94

Because quite a bit of the Dauphin Island history has been

passed down through family lore, much appreciation is given

to island residents Darrell Mallon, Carroll Delcambre, Chick

Sprinkle, and Paul Mayson for their contributions. In addition,

residents Cathy and Ralph Havard, Mike Henderson, and Mary

and John Porter provided information on early island history,

concerts, and birding. Resident Jim Hall has created a website

that is the foundation of Dauphin Island history research. His

friend Richard Register added colorful commentary to the years

between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. David

Connolly contributed information on the Dauphin Island Veteran’s

Association. Thanks also to my husband Mark for his support

and suggestions. Historical events have been documented as

much as possible; however, as discrepancies appear throughout

both the written and oral histories, care has been taken to make

both as accurate as possible.

– Your Author, Carroll Uithoven

The following sites provided background information:

http://www.dauphinislandhistory.org/index.html

http://www.dauphinislandchamber.com/history.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mobile_Bay

http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/dauphinisland.html

http://difoundation.org/history.htm

http://www.townofdauphinisland.org

http://southernhistory.blogspot.com

http://disl.org

http://www.coastalbirding.org/index.htm

Joy

Har

per H

artle

y Ru

ssel

l

Acknowledgements

96

WDG Publishing

The bridge not only connects the island to the rest of the world, it also serves as a marker for leaving cares behind.

$28.95