A LITTLE ISLAND HISTORY From Massacre Island to Sunset Capital

The History of Dauphin Island FROM MASSACRE ISLAND TO SUNSET CAPITAL When your history stretches back in time as long as Dauphin Island’s, there are a lot of stories that can be told. For a complete immersion in the history of Dauphin Island, check out DauphinIslandHistory.com where historian and island resident, Jim Hall has archived a treasure trove of books, maps, images and more. You should also stop by the Little Red Schoolhouse which serves as the Town’s Welcome Center and houses a rich collection of Island history exhibits and information. What follows are just a few of our favorite nuggets from the Island’s history that we pulled (mostly) from Jim’s Dauphin Island History site.

THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE The first documented European visitor was Spanish cartographer Alonso Álvarez de Pineda, whose expedition in 1519 charted the entire northern Gulf Coast and apparently stayed here long enough to map the island with remarkable accuracy. It wasn’t until 1699 that the island was again visited when French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and his younger brother, Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville began a settlement.

Many historians consider Mobile – and Dauphin Island in particular – to be the birthplace of French Louisiana. From Bienville’s arrival in 1699 until 1718 with the founding of New Orleans, our little island was the heartbeat of the entire French colonial efforts in this part of the New World. While the Island’s long French settlement is its most recognized, Bienville and his band of brothers (literally – there were four of them) were not the first visitors. Upon coming ashore in 1699, the French explorers discovered a huge cache of human bones which led them to name the place Massacre Island, incorrectly judging this to be the site of a vicious battle. Later historians determined that this was rather a ceremonial burial place which had been disturbed by one of the areas frequent hurricanes. While the identities of the skeletons were never confirmed, clues to their background do exist in Shell Mound Park. Apparently, Native Americans of the Mississippian nation were the island’s first “snow birds” migrating to the beach each winter from villages up the Mobile Delta. While here, they would fish and roast oysters, drying some as future insurance against failed crops. Archeologists date the Shell Mounds from 1100 to 1550 AD and by Bienville’s arrival, the Mississippians appeared to have largely moved away. Indian Shell Mound Park is one of 13 stops on the Alabama Indigenous Mound Trail, a program administered by the University of Alabama Center for Economic Initiatives. On March 30, the University and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will unveil an educational marker at the park to draw public awareness to the Native American heritage of the island.

GHOSTS ON THE ISLAND Not surprising given its long history, our Dauphin Island is home to a fair number of ghosts or at least ghost stories. Make sure your senses are highly tuned as you visit these spots across the Island.

INDIAN SHELL MOUND PARK This ancient site of Native American winter harvesting and oyster roasts still retains its celebratory essence. Legend has it that late at night you can hear the voices of Indian maidens singing to the beat of tribal drums and flutes. Given the protective nature of the tribe’s warriors, its probably best to keep on walking rather than invite yourself to the party.

FORT GAINES Some suggest the fort is the most haunted spot on Dauphin Island. Visitors to the fort as well as employees tell tales of seeing ghosts of Confederate and Union soldiers wandering the grounds and standing watch on the walls. One of the most reported experiences is of a soldier who follows people around the grounds until they leave the fort. Many visitors to the Fort report hearing phantom foot steps and experiencing unnatural cold spots as well as seeing a woman in a long flowing skirt appear and then fade away. OTHER ISLAND SPIRITS Amongst the Goat Trees, a jilted bride who hung herself from one of the Oaks, wanders the grounds searching for her bridegroom. On the East End Beach, a man dressed in military garb staring at the waves and sometimes drifting across the road into oncoming traffic. A young bride left alone on the island by her husband who never returned, wanders at night from Cadillac Square to the bay whistling for her love. Also in Cadillac Square, a woman who wears a bag tied over her head digging and looking for something. At Sand Island, a lighthouse keeper who fell to his death from a catwalk high above the floor who walks the island smoking his foul-smelling cigar.

SUNSET CAPITAL OF ALABAMA

Making it official, in May 2014, Dauphin Island was named Sunset Capital of Alabama recognizing that the best sunset viewing on the Alabama Coast is right here. According to Mayor Jeff Collier, “A visit to Dauphin Island is a step back in time, reconnecting with nature and feeding your soul. With the fast-paced nature of the world, sometimes it’s best to take time to stop and watch the sunset.”