Spanish Fort in Baldwin County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
The Town of Blakeley ⎯⎯⎯ The Battle of Fort Blakeley
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, July 9, 2025
1. The Town of Blakeley Marker
Inscription.
The Town of Blakeley, also, The Battle of Fort Blakeley. . Incorporated in 1814 by the legislature of the Mississippi Territory, prior to Alabama's statehood, the town of Blakeley was envisioned by the founder Josiah Blakeley as a premier trading canter and a rival to Mobile as a port owing to its deep harbor on the Tensaw River. In its first decade of existence, Blakeley experienced explosive growth and became a vital link in regional commerce and travel. In 1820, the town became the seat of government for Baldwin County and was designated an official United States port of entry. During its heyday, Blakeley boasted a newspaper and several stores, hotels, and other businesses. Some of the earliest steamboats manufactured in the State of Alabama were built here. A number of factors including inflation of real estate prices, navigational improvements to Mobile's harbor, and recurring epidemics of yellow fever, contributed to the town's decline by the 1830's., (Reverse Side) , The Battle of Fort Blakeley, fought on April 9, 1865, was the largest Civil War battle fought in the state of Alabama and one of the last of the entire war. Along with Spanish Fort, Blakeley was one of two major Confederate defensive positions protecting the eastern approaches to Mobile. It consisted of a line of earthen fortifications about three miles long. Brig. Gen. St. John R. Liddell commanded the approximately 3500 men that comprised the garrison. Union troops under the overall command of Gen. E.R.S. Canby, including several regiments of United States Colored Troops, began to lay siege to Blakeley on April 1, 1865. At 5:30pm on April 9, some 16,000 Federal troops launched a general assault on the fort which resulted in its capture after a brief but fierce fight. Mobile, the last major Southern city in Confederate hands, surrendered shortly afterward.
Incorporated in 1814 by the legislature of the Mississippi Territory, prior to Alabama's statehood, the town of Blakeley was envisioned by the founder Josiah Blakeley as a premier trading canter and a rival to Mobile as a port owing to its deep harbor on the Tensaw River. In its first decade of existence, Blakeley experienced explosive growth and became a vital link in regional commerce and travel. In 1820, the town became the seat of government for Baldwin County and was designated an official United States port of entry. During its heyday, Blakeley boasted a newspaper and several stores, hotels, and other businesses. Some of the earliest steamboats manufactured in the State of Alabama were built here. A number of factors including inflation of real estate prices, navigational improvements to Mobile's harbor, and recurring epidemics of yellow fever, contributed to the town's decline by the 1830's.
(Reverse Side)
The Battle of Fort Blakeley, fought on April 9, 1865, was the largest Civil War battle fought in the state of Alabama and one of the last of the entire war. Along with Spanish Fort, Blakeley was one of two major Confederate defensive positions protecting the eastern approaches to Mobile. It consisted of a line of earthen fortifications about three miles long. Brig. Gen. St. John R. Liddell commanded the
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approximately 3500 men that comprised the garrison. Union troops under the overall command of Gen. E.R.S. Canby, including several regiments of United States Colored Troops, began to lay siege to Blakeley on April 1, 1865. At 5:30pm on April 9, some 16,000 Federal troops launched a general assault on the fort which resulted in its capture after a brief but fierce fight. Mobile, the last major Southern city in Confederate hands, surrendered shortly afterward.
Erected 2017 by Baldwin County Historic Development and Baldwin County Commissions AL200.
Location. 30° 43.939′ N, 87° 53.974′ W. Marker is in Spanish Fort, Alabama, in Baldwin County. It is at the intersection of Alabama Route 225 and Upper Shay Branch Road, on the right when traveling south on Alabama Route 225. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 34745 AL-225, Daphne AL 36527, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Blakeley (a few steps from this marker); Saluda Hill Cemetery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Women's Veterans Memorial (approx.
3. The Town of Blakeley / The Battle of Fort Blakeley Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 2, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
