Central Business District in Mobile in Mobile County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Crewe of Columbus Birthplace
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, July 9, 2025
1. Crewe of Columbus Birthplace Marker
Inscription.
Crewe of Columbus Birthplace. . The Battle-Ross House, built here in the 1850s at 602 Government Street, become the home of the Knights of Columbus Mobile Council 666 in 1920. It served in that capacity until 1969, when the building was sold and demolished. A Mardi Gras mystic society, the Krewe of Columbus, was founded here in 1921 by members of Council "Trip Six." The Krewe held its first parade in 1922. The twelve-float parade depicted scenes from the life of Christopher Columbus and his efforts to reach the New World. Until 1937, only members of the Knights of Columbus could join the Krewe. After that requirement was abandoned, the spelling of the parading oranization's name changed to Crewe of Columbus, so the group would no longer have the same initials as the Knights of Columbus. Dispite the Crewe's separation from the Knights, members were still allowed to hold thier meetings in the Knights hall for many years thereafter. In 2021, the Crewe reached its centennial anniversary as an active mystic society in Mobile.
The Battle-Ross House, built here in the 1850s at 602 Government Street, become the home of the Knights of Columbus Mobile Council 666 in 1920. It served in that capacity until 1969, when the building was sold and demolished. A Mardi Gras mystic society, the Krewe of Columbus, was founded here in 1921 by members of Council "Trip Six." The Krewe held its first parade in 1922. The twelve-float parade depicted scenes from the life of Christopher Columbus and his efforts to reach the New World. Until 1937, only members of the Knights of Columbus could join the Krewe. After that requirement was abandoned, the spelling of the parading oranization's name changed to Crewe of Columbus, so the group would no longer have the same initials as the Knights of Columbus. Dispite the Crewe's separation from the Knights, members were still allowed to hold thier meetings in the Knights hall for many years thereafter. In 2021, the Crewe reached its centennial anniversary as an active mystic society in Mobile.
Erected 2021 by Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list:
Location. 30° 41.264′ N, 88° 2.95′ W. Marker is in Mobile, Alabama, in Mobile County. It is in the Central Business District. It is on Government Street west of S Warren Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 602 Government St, 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.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 243 times since then and 129 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
