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. 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.

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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. 30° 41.376′ N, 88° 2.591′ W. Marker is in Mobile, Alabama, in Mobile County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is on Alabama’s Gulf Coast

and in the Mobile Bay 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

WALA-TV, Channel 10 Marker on wall looking east on Government Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 21, 2019

2. WALA-TV, Channel 10 Marker on wall looking east on Government Street

markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mobile City Limits (within shouting distance of this marker); On this Spot Woodrow Wilson Said: (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Government Street Presbyterian Church (about 300 feet away); Wallace Turnage (about 400 feet away); Le Marquis de Lafayette visited Mobile (about 400 feet away); Guesnard House (about 400 feet away); Nicola Marschall Residence (about 400 feet away); The Mobile Bar Association (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mobile.

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 942 times since then and 105 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.