Discover Mobile Magic: Top 7 Fascinating Facts About Mobile, Alabama You Never Knew!

1. Mobile: The Original Mardi Gras

Hold onto your beads and don't lose your King Cake, because Mobile, Alabama is the true O.G. (Original Gras) of Mardi Gras celebrations: In fact, Mobile hosted the first-ever carnival parade in 1711, and is home to America's first masked parading society, the Cowbellian de Rakin Society, established in 1830.
Source => mobilecarnivalmuseum.com

2. French Connection in Alabama

Before France had their fries and toast, they had a cozy little spot in Alabama: Mobile was once the capital of French Louisiana from 1702-1711, founded by Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and governed by his brother Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, embedding lasting French influences within the city's architecture, cuisine, and cultural traditions.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know Elvis Presley's journey to stardom began in a tiny two-room shack in Tupelo, Mississippi? Discover more about the King's humble beginnings!

=> Fun Facts about Mississippi

3. The Azalea Conspiracy

Picture this: a colorful blooming conspiracy, where each year, the streets of Mobile get fleeced with floral flair beyond compare! The secret mastermind behind it all: the 1930s Junior Chamber of Commerce. In a botanical twist of fate, these perennial plotters urged Mobilians to fill their yards with azaleas, transforming the city into a veritable secret garden: And thus, Mobile, Alabama blossomed into the Azalea City, boasting vibrant streets and parks, and giving birth to the famed Azalea Trail Maids who continue to welcome visitors during the annual floral extravaganza.
Source => southernladymagazine.com

4. MoonPie Mania on New Year's Eve

Next time you're craving a supersized snack to ring in the New Year, look no further than Mobile, Alabama – where they've got your sweet tooth covered in the grandest, MoonPie-est way: At their MoonPie Over Mobile New Year's Eve celebration, not only do they drop a giant, 600-pound electric MoonPie, but they also serve up the world's largest edible MoonPie to party-goers, truly making it a sweet way to welcome the New Year.
Source => al.com

5. A Submarine's Canine Companion

Ahoy, history buffs and landlubbing mateys! Prepare to dive into the fascinating depths of the nautical past, where WWII submersibles hold maritime secrets and even canine stowaways: Mobile, Alabama is home to the USS DRUM (SS-228), the oldest American submarine on public display, a National Historic Landmark that invites visitors to explore its storied past and meet Stateside, the crew's pet dog who served aboard this underwater vessel.
Source => ussalabama.com

6. Happy as an Alabama Oyster Mound

You know the saying, "happy as a clam"? In Mobile, Alabama, it's more like "happy as a mound of oyster shells": Shell Mound Park houses over 8 ancient Native American mounds created from oyster shells and other debris, with the oldest and largest mound dating back at least 800 years, containing layers of charcoal, fish, and other materials. Spread across 11 acres, the park is home to diverse plant life, from as far as the Appalachians and the Yucatan, Mexico, with scenic forest hikes and peaceful benches for visitors to enjoy.
Source => tripadvisor.com

7. Mobile's Mardi Gras Magic

While New Orleans might be the Mardi Gras darling of the US, Mobile, Alabama parties like it’s been sipping on Fat Tuesday’s secret sauce – and that’s because it has: Mobile is the true birthplace of Mardi Gras in the United States, with the city's French and Creole heritage fueling grand celebrations, even predating the New Orleans spectaculars. Each year, February is packed with vibrant parades, dazzling balls, and enviable festivities that make it the largest Mardi Gras celebration in Alabama.
Source => en.wikipedia.org