Mobile in Mobile County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Mobile's First Mardi Gras Parade
Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 14, 2017
1. Mobile's First Mardi Gras Parade Marker
Inscription.
Mobile's First Mardi Gras Parade. . On Shrove Tuesday, February 25, 1868, the Order of Myths gathered at this intersection shortly after 8 p.m. and began its first parade. The procession traveled west on Government, north on Warren east on Dauphin, north on Joachim west on State, south on Claiborne east on St. Louis, and south on St. Joseph to St. Michael and Temperance Hall, where the OOM ball was held. The parade included four open wagons, each depicting a scene from Lala Rookh, the Thomas Moore romance set in Persia: Lalla Rookh and her maids: the veiled prophet Mokanna and his followers: Hafed and a band of fire worshippers and the caliph. Al Hassan. and his suite. On horseback, between each wagon, rode groups of OOM members dressed as Persian warriors.
On Shrove Tuesday, February 25, 1868, the Order of Myths gathered at this intersection shortly after 8 p.m. and began its first parade. The procession traveled west on Government, north on Warren east on Dauphin, north on Joachim west on State, south on Claiborne east on St. Louis, and south on St. Joseph to St. Michael and Temperance Hall, where the OOM ball was held. The parade included four open wagons, each depicting a scene from Lala Rookh, the Thomas Moore romance set in Persia: Lalla Rookh and her maids: the veiled prophet Mokanna and his followers: Hafed and a band of fire worshippers and the caliph. Al Hassan. and his suite. On horseback, between each wagon, rode groups of OOM members dressed as Persian warriors.
Erected 2017 by the Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 25, 1868.
Location. 30° 41.409′ N, 88° 2.406′ W. Marker is in Mobile, Alabama, in Mobile County. Marker is at the intersection of South Royal Street and Government Street, on the right when traveling north on South Royal Street. Located next to
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the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center & the History Museum of Mobile. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 South Royal Street, Mobile AL 36602, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. Although the marker is dated 2016, it was actually erected January 6th, 2017. At midnight on that day, Twelfth Night, or Epiphany, the Carnival season officially began.
OOM is the abbreviation for Order of Myths.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 14, 2017
2. Mardi Gras Parade Marker can be seen in far background.
The king statue in the foreground represents the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association. The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center, IMAX Dome Theater & the History Museum of Mobile are behind the marker.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 14, 2017
3. Mardi Gras jester figure near first phase of Mardi Gras Park.
The first phase included a $2.5 million leveling of the park’s surface and the construction of retaining walls, extra parking, sidewalks, lighting and other features.
The second phase, to cost around $2 million, is proposed to include the creation of a public pavilion and an enclosed marketplace.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 14, 2017
4. Looking west on Government Street towards the Mardi Gras statues.
The low wall along the right side of the photo is the Government Street (U.S. 98) entrance/exit to the Bankhead Tunnel, opened in 1941, that runs under the Mobile River.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2017. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 717 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 14, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.