Elsanor in Baldwin County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Elsanor
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 20, 2025
1. Elsanor Marker (west side)
This countryside along what is called the Old Spanish Trail between Mobile Bay and Pensacola was only sparsely settled in the early 1900s. In 1909, F. X. Duchesneau and other French Canadians from North Dakota moved here to escape the frigid northern winters. They began family farms that became productive throughout the area.
As the community grew, their small school became overcrowded and its condition deteriorated. A local dentist offered to donate land and funds for a new school. The condition was that it be named for his wife Elsa Norton. In 1913, the new school and community became known as Elsanor.
In 1925, area schools were consolidated when the county board of education built a 3-room brick school here, the first in Baldwin County to have electricity. The 1913 school was moved to the new site to serve as the principals home. Now designated an historic structure, it is still being used as a classroom.
Elsanor, a farming community, shares a rich tradition of faith and community spirit. One of its oldest churches, Bethel Baptist, began under a brush arbor where members would meet to worship and pray each week. Six charter members met in 1941 to organize and build a small wooden church. Although the building burned twice, it was rebuilt bigger and better each
this page online
The Elsanor Homemakers Club met in the homes of members until the Community Center was constructed around 1965. Two years later, the Elsanor Volunteer Fire Department added a wing onto the Center. For years a siren could be heard for miles around alerting volunteers about fires and other emergencies. In 2010, the department constructed a separate station. The Community Center, which was the designated voting precinct for over 50 years, now serves as a gathering place for parties, reunions, benefits, and church services.
Erected 2019 by Baldwin County Historic Development and Baldwin County Commissions AL200 2017.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.
Location. 30° 34.071′ N, 87° 37.146′ W. Marker is in Elsanor, Alabama, in Baldwin County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 90 and Thelma Burke Road/Poplar Road, on the right when traveling west on U.S. 90. The marker ia located in front of the Elsanor Community Center & Fire-Rescue Station. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 23741 US Highway 90, Robertsdale AL 36567, 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 13 miles of this marker, measured as
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 20, 2025
2. Elsanor Marker (east side)
Also see . . .
1. Historic marker dedicated in Elsanor (Gulf Coast Media).
(By Jeanette Dyess Ryan, 7/6/2019) Excerpt: Sunday, June 23 was predicted to be a scorching hot day, but that did not hamper the spirits of residents of the Elsanor community along with others from Baldwin County interested in celebrating Alabama 200. The people gathered at Elsanor Community Center for the unveiling of the bronze historical marker sponsored by the Baldwin County Commission and the Baldwin County Historical Development Commission.(Submitted on October 14, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
In 1909, F. X. Duchensneau and other French Canadians moved to Elsanor to escape the frigid northern winters. He was later joined by his friend, G. Ecoeur, the Riendeaus, the LaBissonieres, the Casavants and others. Ed Kane III, who is the great-grandson of the LaBissonieres, earlyFrench Canadians, has carried on the farming tradition like his great-grandparents. Also attending were Virginia Boseck, who married Carl Boseck Jr., the son of early residents Carl and Bertha Boseck, and their daughter, Carla Boseck Givens and her husband, Charles.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 20, 20253. Elsanor Marker (west side)Looking east; the Elsanor Fire-Rescue Station is on the left. US Highway 90 is on the right.
2. Bethel Baptist Church (Our Story).
Excerpt: In the summer of 1939, a brush arbor in the Elsanor community was built and in order to use literature from other churches, Sunday School and worship services were held in the afternoon. As the congregation grew, the people began to look for a place to build a permanent building. God answered their prayers when Mr. and Mrs. William H. Churchill donated two acres of land where the brush arbor had stood. The land was deeded to the First Baptist Church of Robertsdale, an incorporated church, on December 9, 1939. This action was taken because Bethel was not organized nor incorporated. When the deeds were signed, gifts came in and with a gift of $200.00 from the W.M.U. headquarters, the group had enough money to erect a frame building. Meetings began without seats, windows or doors.(Submitted on October 14, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 20, 2025
4. Elsanor Marker (east side)
Looking west; the Elsanor Community Center is on the right. US Highway 90 is on the left.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 20, 2025
5. Elsanor Fire-Rescue Station #53 Baldwin County
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 20, 2025
6. Elsanor Community Center
Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 212 times since then and 125 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 14, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
