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

Bayou La Batre, Alabama

Photographed by David C Lannie Jr, May 4, 2010

1. Bayou La Batre, Alabama Marker

Saint Margaret Catholic Church - Fleet Blessing

Inscription. The stream near the site, known as Bayou la Batre, was known during the period of French occupation as "Riviere d'Erbane," then as "Rivere la batterie" because of the French artillery battery located on its banks. The town's name consists of bayou, the Gallicized form of "bok," the Choctaw word for "creek," and "la batre," derived from "la batterie." Clarence Mallet, who was born in St. Martinville, Louisiana moved to Bayou La Batre in 1925. Mallet brought with him a strong belief that God's blessings are essential to a good harvest from the sea. With this in mind, he convinced Father Alex O'Neil to hold the first Blessing of the Fleet. This was in 1949. This old world custom is a public acknowledgment of God as his blessings are asked for a bountiful harvest and the safety of the men that go to sea. The tradition that Mallet brought to the Mobile County Community has continued over the years.

Erected 2010 by The Alabama Tourism Department and the City of Bayou La Batre.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Tourism Department series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location.

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30° 24.261′ N, 88° 14.876′ W. Marker is in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, in Mobile County. It is on South Wintzell Avenue (Alabama Route 188) near Tapia Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Located between St. Margaret Church and the School Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13790 S Wintzell Ave, Bayou La Batre AL 36509, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Alabama’s Gulf Coast,

in Mobile Bay,

and in the Mobile Metropolitan Area.

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 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Bayou La Batre (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Bayou La Batre (within shouting distance of this marker); Alabama's Coastal Connection (within shouting distance of this marker); The Story of Bellingrath Gardens (approx. 6.6 miles away); Grand Bay Elementary School for Colored (approx. 7 miles away); Mark 8 Projectile (approx. 9.8 miles away); William Bartram Trail (approx. 9.9 miles away); The Final Stretch of I-10 (approx. 11.8 miles away in Mississippi). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bayou La Batre.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Bayou La Batre. Encyclopedia of Alabama entry (Submitted on January 4, 2013, by Laura Hill of Auburn, Alabama.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2010, by David C Lannie Jr of Bayou La Batre, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,804 times since then and 70 times this year. Last updated on May 9, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photo 1. submitted on May 4, 2010, by David C Lannie Jr of Bayou La Batre, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

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