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What Mobile, Alabama looked like in the 1900s through these Stunning Historical Photos

At the turn of the 20th Century, Mobile’s population increased from about 40,000 in 1900 to 60,000 by 1920. The city received $3 million in federal grants during this time to deepen the shipping channels in the harbor. In the years following World War I, manufacturing became increasingly crucial to Mobile’s economy, especially shipbuilding and steel production. City officials in Mobile passed their first segregation ordinance in 1902, which segregated the city’s streetcars. The African American community in Mobile responded to this with a two-month boycott that ultimately failed. Eventually, Mobile’s de facto segregation would be replaced with legislated segregation. In 1911, the city adopted the commission form of government and expanded streetcar and telephone service. Nevertheless, the war hampered progress once again. When World War I erupted in Europe, trade vessels were recalled for military service, causing the port to stagnate.

The industrial sector also boosted the economy of Mobile at the beginning of the 1900s. Mobile was a major port, shipbuilding and repair center during World Wars I and II. The city remains a center for shipping, shipbuilding, and ship repair.

Here are some stunning historical photos that show Mobile, Alabama, at the turn of the 20th Century.

#3 Bird’s Eye View of Spring Hill College, Mobile, 1900s

#7 Insane Hospital, Mt. Vernon, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#9 Bathing at Rolston’s Hotel, Coden, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#12 Central Presbyterian Church, Dauphin & Ann Street, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#14 Steamboat “City of Mobile” on the Alabama River in Selma, 1903

#17 A Nook in the Mission Lobby of the Cawthon Hotel, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#24 Cawthon Hotel, St. Joseph and St. Francis Street, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#25 Central Presbyterian Church, Dauphin & Ann Street, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#26 Chapel and Grounds, Spring Hill College, Mobile, 1900s

#27 Coal Crane For Loading Ocean Going Steamers Mobile, 1900s

#28 Come along to Mobile, Ala. Autoing’s great, 1900s

#36 Temple Shaarai Shamayim, Government Street, Mobile, 1906

#37 Students outside a school building in rural Mobile County, 1901

#38 A Corridor, Cawthon Hotel, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#41 Bienville Square showing a few of Mobile’s prominent buildings, Mobile, 1900s

#44 A Typical Cotton Compress Scene in the South, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#47 Birds Eye View overlooking Bienville Square, Mobile, 1900s

#48 Cathedral Rectory, Built by William H. Ketchum Around 1850. 400 Government St., Mobile, 1900s

#49 Children’s Playground in Washington Square, Mobile, 1900s

#54 Cotton Exchange and Chamber of Commerce, Mobile, 1900s

#63 Dog River Fishing and Hunting Club, near Mobile, 1904

#69 Entrance to Alabama Insane Hospital, Mt. Vernon, 1900s

#70 Entrance to Ashland Place, former Home of Augusta Evans Wilson (Authoress) in the distance, Mobile, 1900s

#71 Episcopal Church Home, (Orphanage), Mobile, 1900s

#75 Fire Engine House, Erected in 1843- No. 1 S. Laurence St., Mobile, 1901

#78 Former Home of Augusta Evans-Wilson, the Authoress, Mobile, 1900s

#79 Fountain and Cross, Bienville Square, Mobile, 1900s

#83 Government Street Presbyterian Church and Burgett Memorial, Mobile, 1904

#90 Gulf Fishing and Hunting Club, Dog River, Mobile, 1904

#92 Having Fatted on Alabama for 90 Years It Is Now Time for a Change, 1900s

#93 Havoc of the Storm in Biernell Square, Sept. 27, 1906, Mobile.

#94 Hedge of Early Pink Azaleas, Mobile, Alabama, 1901

#100 Jail and Court House in background, Mobile, 1901

#109 Magnolia River, Mobile, Ala. – On Mobile, 1907

#110 Main building of the Hotel Joullian, Coden, 1907

#111 Main Buildings, Spring Hill College, Mobile, 1907

#114 McMillan Home, Built Around 1850 – 256 N. Joachim, Mobile, 1907

#116 Mill Dam, M.L. Davis’ Saw Mill, Oak Grove, 1907

#119 Mobile Country Golf Club and Links, showing Bay, Mobile, 1907

#124 Augusta Evans Wilson Home, Spring Hill Ave, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#125 Avenue in Magnolia Cemetery, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#130 Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#133 Confederate Rest. Magnolia Cemetery, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#134 Convent of the Visitation Gate, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#135 Convent of the Visitation, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#139 Grotto of Lourdes at Spring Hill College, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#141 Live Oak Tree (Spreading over 100 feet), Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#144 New Home of Augusta Evans Wilson, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#148 Reception Hall, Y.M.C.A. Building, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#149 River Front, showing Grain Elevator, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#152 Spring Hill College Drive, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#155 The Cloister. Convent of the Visitation, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#156 The Grapery, Seventh Floor, Cawthon Hotel, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#157 The Lake at Jesuit College, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#159 Trinity Episcopal Church, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#164 Monroe Park and shell road on Mobile Bay, Mobile, 1903

#165 Augusta Evans Wilson Present Home, Government St., Mobile, 1909

#167 Old Home of Augusta Evans-Wilson, the Authoress, Mobile, 1909

#170 Packet, James T. (BIG JIM) Staples, laying stern upstream, Prairie Bluff, Alabama River, (Mi 225, from Mobile), on Maiden Trip, 1909.

#171 Pat. J. L. Lyons Park, Springhill Ave., Mobile, 1909

#176 River Steamers along Municipal Wharf, Mobile, 1909

#183 S. Lossing’s Home, Made of Oyster Shells, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#184 Scene on St. Louis St. after the storm of Sept. 27, 1906

#185 Sea Cliff, Alabama, Across the Bay from Mobile, 1906

#188 Southern Markets Erected on Fort Charlotte’s Foundations, S. Royal St., Mobile, 1907

#191 St. Francis St. Hotel Bienville and Athelstan Club, Mobile, 1907

#193 St. Francis Street Methodist Church, Mobile, 1907

#197 St. Joseph St., opposite Bienville Sq. Mobile, 1907

#201 Steamer Saratoga between Havana and Mobile, Mobile, 1906

#203 The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Mobile, 1906

#206 The Great Storm of Sept. 27, 1906, wrecked vessel, Mobile

#213 University Military School and Cadet Battalion, Mobile, 1906

#218 View of St. Joseph St., looking North, Mobile, 1906

#221 Wreckage, foot of St. Francis Street, storm. Sept. 27, 1906, Mobile

#223 African American man driving a team of oxen pulling a wagon of logs in Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#224 Confederate memorial parade in downtown Mobile, 1902

#225 Construction of the steamboat “Nettie Quill” in Mobile, 1902

#226 Abuilding at the Mount Vernon Hospital in Mobile County, 1902

#227 A wagon of watermelons at Mount Vernon Hospital in Mobile County, Alabama, 1902

#228 Buildings at Mount Vernon Hospital in Mobile County, 1902

#229 Doctors and staff in front of the main entrance to the Mount Vernon Hospital in Mobile County, 1902

#230 The superintendent’s residence at the Mount Vernon Hospital in Mobile County, 1902

#232 Damage from a hurricane in downtown Mobile, Alabama, just south of the L & N depot, 1902

#233 Damage from a hurricane in downtown Mobile, 1902

#235 Damage from a hurricane on a residential street in Mobile, 1902

#236 Damage to the shoreline after a hurricane in Mobile, 1902

#237 Dauphin Street in downtown Mobile, Alabama, 1903

#238 Flooded street at Duncan Place in Mobile, Alabama, after the hurricane of 1906.

#239 Flooded street in Mobile, Alabama, after the hurricane of 1906.

#242 North Royal Street in downtown Mobile, Alabama, 1908

#243 Raphael Semmes Camp of the United Confederate Veterans in Mobile, 1907

#244 Raphael Semmes monument in downtown Mobile, Alabama, 1907

#245 Raphael Semmes Monument on Government Street in downtown Mobile, Alabama, 1901

#246 Ruins of a brick building, probably an Odd Fellows Hall in Mobile County, 1903

#247 Steamboat “Helen Burke” and other steamboats leaving Mobile, Alabama, for Selma and Demopolis, 1903

#248 Steamboat “Helen Burke” leaving Mobile, Alabama, to travel northward, 1903

#249 Steamboat “M. A. Burke” in Mobile, Alabama, 1903

#250 Steamboats “Jas. T. Staples” and “City of Mobile” on the Alabama River in Selma, Alabama, 1903

#251 Students and faculty in front of the public school in Wilmer, Alabama, 1901

#252 Students and teacher outside a school building in rural Mobile County, 1901

#253 Students standing in front of the public school in Whistler, Alabama, 1902

#254 Wreckage at the docks in Mobile, Alabama, after the hurricane of 1906.

#255 Wreckage at the docks in Mobile, Alabama, after the hurricane of 1906.

#256 Wreckage at the docks in Mobile, Alabama, after the hurricane of 1906.

#257 Wreckage of the “Steamer ‘Mary” in Mobile, Alabama, after the hurricane of 1906.

#258 A nook in the Mission Lobby of the Cawthon Hotel, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#259 Insane Hospital, Mt. Vernon, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

#262 Battle House, Royal and St. Francis Streets, Mobile, Alabama, 1900s

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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