Mobile in Mobile County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Mobile's First Mardi Gras Parade

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 14, 2017

1. Mobile's First Mardi Gras Parade Marker

Inscription. On Shrove Tuesday, February 25, 1868, the Order of Myths gathered at this intersection shortly after 8 p.m. and began its first parade. The procession traveled west on Government, north on Warren east on Dauphin, north on Joachim west on State, south on Claiborne east on St. Louis, and south on St. Joseph to St. Michael and Temperance Hall, where the OOM ball was held. The parade included four open wagons, each depicting a scene from Lala Rookh, the Thomas Moore romance set in Persia: Lalla Rookh and her maids: the veiled prophet Mokanna and his followers: Hafed and a band of fire worshippers and the caliph. Al Hassan. and his suite. On horseback, between each wagon, rode groups of OOM members dressed as Persian warriors.

Erected 2017 by the Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 25, 1868.

Location. 30° 41.409′ N, 88° 2.406′ W. Marker is in Mobile, Alabama, in Mobile County. It is at the intersection

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of South Royal Street and Government Street, on the right when traveling north on South Royal Street. Located next to the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center & the History Museum of Mobile. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 South Royal Street, Mobile AL 36602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Alabama’s Gulf Coast

and in Mobile Bay.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); 10" Rifled Sea Coast Columbiad (within shouting distance of this marker); "Damn The Torpedoes!" The Campaigns for Mobile, 1864 - 1865 (within shouting distance of

Mardi Gras Parade Marker can be seen in far background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 14, 2017

2. Mardi Gras Parade Marker can be seen in far background.

The king statue in the foreground represents the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association. The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center, IMAX Dome Theater & the History Museum of Mobile are behind the marker.

this marker); Second Fort Conde Ruin (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Pelican Girls (about 400 feet away); Lynching in America / The Lynching of Richard Robertson (about 400 feet away); How Big was the Original Fort Condé? (about 500 feet away); The Site of Historic Fort Condé (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mobile.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Admiral Raphael Semmes, CSA (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. Although the marker is dated 2016, it was actually erected January 6th, 2017. At midnight on that day, Twelfth Night, or Epiphany, the Carnival season officially began.

OOM is the abbreviation for Order of Myths.

Mardi Gras jester figure near first phase of Mardi Gras Park. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 14, 2017

3. Mardi Gras jester figure near first phase of Mardi Gras Park.

The first phase included a $2.5 million leveling of the park’s surface and the construction of retaining walls, extra parking, sidewalks, lighting and other features. The second phase, to cost around $2 million, is proposed to include the creation of a public pavilion and an enclosed marketplace.

Looking west on Government Street towards the Mardi Gras statues. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 14, 2017

4. Looking west on Government Street towards the Mardi Gras statues.

The low wall along the right side of the photo is the Government Street (U.S. 98) entrance/exit to the Bankhead Tunnel, opened in 1941, that runs under the Mobile River.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2017. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,513 times since then and 136 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 14, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.