Mobile in Mobile County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
WALA-TV, Channel 10
Mobile's Oldest Operating Station
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 21, 2019
1. WALA-TV, Channel 10 Marker
Inscription.
WALA-TV, Channel 10. Mobile's Oldest Operating Station. In 1952, W.O. Pape, owner of the WALA-AM radio station, received a television license from the Federal Communications Commission. The WALA acronym stood for "We Are Loyal Alabamians." On January 14, 1953, WALA-TV, Channel 10, began broadcasting from this site. Until 1963, the building also housed the WALA radio station before it was sold and became WUNI-AM. A July 1954 storm toppled the 4350-foot broadcast antenna located at the rear of the building. Soon thereafter, the station installed a taller antenna east of Spanish Fort, on the opposite side of Mobile Bay. With the resulting increased signal strength, the station welcomed new viewers from nearby portions of Florida. Since its initial broadcast, WALA-TV has provided news, weather, and entertainment programming, including live coverage of the Gulf Coast's annual celebration of Mardi Gras. Over time, the station has adapted to new technologies, from analog to digital broadcast signals and the rise of the internet. In 2002, the television station relocated to a new facility on Satchel Paige Drive in West Mobile.
In 1952, W.O. Pape, owner of the WALA-AM radio station, received a television license from the Federal Communications Commission. The WALA acronym stood for "We Are Loyal Alabamians." On January 14, 1953, WALA-TV, Channel 10, began broadcasting from this site. Until 1963, the building also housed the WALA radio station before it was sold and became WUNI-AM. A July 1954 storm toppled the 4350-foot broadcast antenna located at the rear of the building. Soon thereafter, the station installed a taller antenna east of Spanish Fort, on the opposite side of Mobile Bay. With the resulting increased signal strength, the station welcomed new viewers from nearby portions of Florida. Since its initial broadcast, WALA-TV has provided news, weather, and entertainment programming, including live coverage of the Gulf Coast's annual celebration of Mardi Gras. Over time, the station has adapted to new technologies, from analog to digital broadcast signals and the rise of the internet. In 2002, the television station relocated to a new facility on Satchel Paige Drive in West Mobile.
Erected 2018 by Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 14, 1953.
Location.
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30° 41.376′ N, 88° 2.591′ W. Marker is in Mobile, Alabama, in Mobile County. Marker is at the intersection of South Joachim Street and Government Street (U.S. 98), on the right when traveling west on South Joachim Street. Marker is mounted on the wall facing South Joachim Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mobile AL 36602, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. WALA-TV, Channel 10 Marker on wall looking east on Government Street
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 21, 2019
3. WALA-TV, Channel 10 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 422 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on May 3, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
