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Love history? Then you’ll adore these 7 oldest places in Mobile
Whether it’s a museum, historic district, or a nod to African American heritage, Mobile is a city that seems to be dedicated to honoring the past. After all, Mobile is the oldest city in Alabama, so it makes perfect sense that it would be home to some of the richest histories.
For all our history buffs out there, we’ve rounded up seven of the oldest places in Mobile for you to check out.
1. The Oldest B&B: Fort Condé Inn
Nestled in the very heart of the Downtown area, Fort Condé Inn is the accumulation of nine restored historic homes of the Fort Condé Village. The Boutique hotel began as a charming bed and breakfast that grew into the customizable, luxury getaway it’s now known for.
- Year Established: 1836
- Fort Condé Inn: Website | Facebook | (251) 405-5040
- Location: 165 Saint Emanuel St., Mobile, AL 36602
- Hours: Sunday-Saturday 8AM-10PM
2. The Oldest Home: Vincent-Doan House
Vincent-Doan House is the oldest house in Mobile to stand in its original location. If that wasn’t cool enough, it’s also home to the Mobile Medical Museum that holds thousands of medical artifacts.
The home-turned-museum has a rich history of ownership and currently belongs to the University of South Alabama Women’s and Children’s hospital as part of their midtown campus.
- Year Built: 1827
- Mobile Medical Museum: Website | Facebook | (251) 415-1109
- Location: 1664 Spring Hill Ave, Mobile, AL 36604
- Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 10AM-4PM | Thursday 10AM-6PM
3. The Oldest Theater: Crescent Theater
Obviously, the oldest theater in Mobile is going to have a fascinating history behind it.
Crescent Theater was initially established as a stage for magic shows and similar types of performances and has grown right along with the movie industry.
One of the first theaters in Mobile to ever show silent films has since become an independent movie theater that has offered everything from locally-produced films to international cinema.
- Year Established: 1885
- The Crescent Theater: Website | Facebook | (251) 438-2005
- Location: 208 Dauphin St, Mobile, AL 36602
- Hours: Sunday-Saturday 9AM-5PM
4. The Oldest Restaurant: Dew Drop Inn
Are you a fan of Jimmy Buffett? Then you must be a fan of the oldest restaurant in Mobile by proxy.
Dew Drop Inn has endless claims to fame. Not only has it been visited by the “Cheeseburger in Paradise” singer, but it has also been the set location for a recent film.
More importantly, Dew Drop Inn has one of the oldest—and most famous—hotdogs in the area. The classic diner atmosphere and delicious menu are too good to pass up.
- Year Established: 1924
- Dew Drop Inn: Website | Facebook | (251) 473-7872
- Location: 1808 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL 36607
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 10AM-3PM
5. The Oldest Hotel: Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa
Think nothing can top Jimmy Buffett as the biggest name-drop on this list? Well, how about two former U.S. presidents?
Believe it or not, Battle House Hotel was home to the headquarters of Andrew Jackson throughout the War of 1812 and was visited by Woodrow Wilson after his inauguration in 1913.
A history of flooding, fires, industrial accidents, reconstructions, and renaming made the hotel what it is today: a beautiful building with a rich, diverse, and fascinating story.
- Year Built: 1908
- NAME: Website | Facebook | (251) 338-2000
- Location: 26 N Royal St, Mobile, AL 36602
- Hours: 24/7
6. The Oldest Cemetery: Church Street Graveyard
With the spooky season quickly approaching, we couldn’t leave out the oldest cemetery in Mobile.
Church Street Graveyard is the final resting place of several influential figures in Mobile’s early history, such as Joe Cain, who greatly influenced the modern celebrations of Mardi Gras.
- Year Established: 1819
- Church Street Graveyard: Website
- Location: Church St., Mobile, AL 36602
- Hours: Sunday-Saturday 8AM-4PM
7. The Oldest Sacred Site: Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
The Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception has been in use for almost 150 years. Though the building has suffered a fire in the past, the cathedral has undergone numerous restoration projects that make the space feel brand new.
- Year Built: 1835
- NAME: Website | Facebook | 251) 434-1565
- Location: 2 S Claiborne St, Mobile, AL 36602
What part of Mobile history are you excited to experience first? Let us know by tagging us @thebamabuzz