JUNE
Stories
Historic Highlights
Social Life in Mobile, June 3, 1868
Three years after the Civil War, Mobile’s economy, still focused on the port-based cotton trade, was slow to recover. Yet Mobile’s residents were determined to resume social activities as they had been before the war. In February 1868, the spectacular New Years Eve processions for which the city was nationally renowned, were expanded to Fat Tuesday, or “Mardi Gras,” and by June of that year, even as the annual slow-down of the summer months and fears of disease loomed ahead, reports such as this one from a Louisiana visitor, indicated that, whether economic conditions supported luxury or simple pleasures, Mobilians were determined to resume their social rituals.
We spent a couple of weeks in the charming city of Mobile… We have no recollection of ever seeing the city in a more cheerful mood. It is true, there was comparatively no trade, but all Mobile, its wife and children, seemed determined upon enjoying the bright, summer days, in spite of commercial and political croakers. Nay, we believe their solid people were happy too. There were picnics down the bay, fairs for orphans, soirees, amateur concerts, baseball matches, etc., etc., following in quick succession. It seemed there was no end to them.
South-western (Shreveport, Louisiana), June 3, 1868
Ancient “Monster” Reptile in Mobile, June 6, 1845
Our readers will doubtless remember the sensation produced in 1840 by the discovery of the bones of the great Missourium of Missouri. We have now to announce that the same discoverer, Dr. Albert C. Koch, has brought to light the fossil remains of a monster in the animal creation that puts in the shade the celebrated “Iquanodon” of England, of colossal size, and the still more gigantic “Missourium.” This last discovery may be set down to the State of Alabama, and to a county adjoining Mobile, namely Washington, being imbedded in a yellow lime-rock formation, near the old WAshington courthouse. Dr. K. is a German by birth and education, but has already acquired considerable reputation in this country for his geological researches and his ardent devotion to the cause of the natural sciences generally. He gives his last most remarkable fossil wonder (which he describes as “the greatest wonder of this age of wonders”) the name of Zeululon Sillonam, in complement to Prof. Sillinan, of Yale College. The description of this monster is in substance as follows:
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I have succeeded in bringing to light the very nearly complete skeleton of a most colossal and terrible reptile, that may be justly termed the king of the kings of reptiles. Its length is one hundred and four feet – the solid portions of the vertebrae are from 14 to 18 inches in length and from 8 to 12 inches in diameter, each averaging 75 pounds in weight…Its greatly elongated jaws are armed with not less than forty incisor or cutting teach, four canine teeth or fangs, and eight molars or grinders. The eyes were evidently large, and were prominently situated on the forehead… the body had members attached resembling paddles or fins…doubtless intended to propel the body of this enormous creature through the waters of these larger rivers and seas which it inhabited…
Dr. K. is at present in Mobile, and has the skeleton of this truly wonderful animal in his charge. The several parts are not yet joined together but we understand his is waiting to arrange and prepare them for exhibition, if there were any probability that he would be remunerated at this period of the year for his labor and expense.
Daily National Intelligencer, June 6, 1845
Automobiles in Mobile, June 8, 1922
Times Picayune, June 8, 1922
General Granger Leaves Mobile for Galveston,
Just Before His "Juneteenth" Announcement, 1865
General Gordon Granger, wikimedia commons
General Granger and the United States 13th Corp. had entered and occupied the city in April. Granger oversaw the ending of Confederate Government in Mobile and accepted oaths of loyalty to the United States. He was tasked with disaster relief when the military arsenal exploded with great destruction on May 25, 1865 and was well respected among Mobilians by the time he was transferred out of the city on June 14th. His next assignment was in Galveston, where he issued the famous "Proclamation No. 3," declaring freedom to Galveston slaves.
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Elvis in Mobile, June 20, 1973
Admiral Semmes Monument Unveiled
June 27, 1900
Mobile Described, 1894
It is only an hour's ride by rail to Mobile, a city with a great future. Time will soon open a way through the Nicaragua Canal and then this city will be a great distributing point. Mobile is situated on Mobile Bay. A road of shells traces its banks for more than five miles. Mobile is blessed with beautiful parks; oysters and fish in abundance. Ships laden with tropical fruits land wthin a stones throw of the Chamber of Commerce. Fifteen miles distant are the snapper banks, which is only a few miles from the Gulf. Three rail roads bring the city in direct communication with the markets, East, West and North.
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Herald and Tribune, June 20, 1894
Mobile Fire Dept. Picnic at Arlington Resort, June 30, 1870
