3 Best Landmarks in Mobile, AL

“Colonial Fort Condé is a partially reconstructed 18th-century fort that is located in the History Museum of Mobile. The museum went by different names, including Fort Louis, Fort Charlotte, and Fuerte Carlota, under various colonial powers. The extant remnants of the original fort were discovered during the construction of the Wallace Tunnel in 1966 and may be seen in Mardi Gras Park, facing Church Street. Colonial Fort Condé was originally built in 1723 by French explorers. The replica fort was opened in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebration. The museum aims to collect, preserve, safeguard, and interpret over 117,000 artifacts that hold vital information about Mobile and the surrounding area’s past. The museum continues to be an invaluable source for present and future generations of citizens. Colonial Fort Condé encourages the discovery and understanding of its shared history through programs, publications, and exhibitions of enduring quality. Here, admission is free for children (5 and under) and members.”

“The Historic Oakleigh House Museum is located in the heart of the Oakleigh Garden Historic District and is a well-known tourist attraction in Mobile, just a few minutes away from the downtown area. The Historic Oakleigh House Museum is the main attraction in the Oakleigh Historical Complex, which features a working-class raised cottage, Union Barracks, and a modern archives building. The Museum's exhibits, which cover the period from 1830 to 1900, comprise a collection of more than 1,000 artifacts that offer insights into Mobile's history. In addition, the Museum hosts monthly meetings with special guests to help visitors acquire the necessary skills to become successful association advocates and future historic preservationists. Admission is free for children under five and HMPS members.”

“The Condé-Charlotte Museum is owned and operated by the National Society of Colonial Dames of America. The house had its beginnings in 1822 as Mobile's first courthouse and city jail. In 1849, the building was purchased by Jonathan Kirkbride from Mount Holly in New Jersey, and the jail and old courthouse were converted into a kitchen wing attached to the newly built main house. The Condé-Charlotte Museum is full of period furnishings and antiques, which reveal Mobile's history under five flags: French, English, Spanish, Confederate, and American. A walled Spanish garden of late 18th-century design and a kitchen furnished with late 19th and early 20th-century materials complement the house. Here, visitors can explore the area’s complex history under various European sovereigns, entry into American territory, and as a Confederate city during the Civil War.”