What Happened to Mobile Alabama's Millionaire's Row?
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- čas přidán 16. 07. 2024
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Discover the opulent past of Mobile, Alabama's Millionaire's Row in this captivating short video. Take a stroll through history and witness the grandeur of the mansions that line this picturesque avenue, once home to some of the wealthiest families in the country. From intricate architecture to fascinating stories of the people who lived there, this video will transport you back in time to a bygone era of luxury and extravagance
Location: Mobile Alabama
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Public Domain Photos from: Library of Congress, Altairisfar, Alabama Department of Archives and History, Center for Archaeological Studies at the University of South Alabama, Adrien de Pauger, University of Alabama Department of Geography, Flickr User: dchelyadnik@yahoo.com
Screenshots from: Google Earth
CC BY-SA 3.0(creativecommons.org/licenses/... from: Wikipedia User: Harfang
CC BY-SA 4.0(creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Photos from: Wikipedia User: Cheburashka007
Assets from: Envato Elements
Music form Epidemic Sound
I'm so glad that a few of these beautiful mansions still survive. Much better than the office buildings. That Queen Anne was just incredible.
Mobile Bay is one of the most underrated regions in the nation. Rich in culture, stunning architecture, massive sugar-sand beaches and some of the best seafood in the world!
I live in Mobile and my family has been here a very long time (my grandmother was born in 1895). Mobile is a beautiful city. There is history everywhere you look. The best places, though, are the out of the way hidden gems you would only know if you grew up here. Thanks for the video!
I assume you mean your great grandmother?
The huge victorian on the corner. WOW
I stayed on Government Street last April, more or less across the street from Raphael Semmes house. Airbnb in a 1920's apartment building - a very large, charming unit with big front terrace, sandwiched between a restored huge frame privately owned Queen Anne hodge podge and a decrepit similar one with work being done. There's commercial stuff on Government, but the street itself is still pretty this near downtown - which itself is beautiful. I found Mobile very enchanting - lots of history, lots of charm, a little faded - maybe. And there's even more to see if you've got a car. Home for me is a large Mid-Atlantic city and I don't have 'southern' politics at all - but I highly recommend Mobile.
I have been privileged to see mansions from Newport and the Hudson River Valley to Sam Simeon, and of the different styles of architecture in the United States I appreciate the deep south architecture of most.
There are many cultural and architectural similarities between the south and Britain. I grew up in what would be considered a manor house in a former British territory, and the hot weather combined with British architecture created all of the transoms, high cove ceilings, and even the ventilation that is similar to these.
Obviously built before air-conditioning and they were so many features that helps with the heat and I see that in some of these buildings.
Great video! Thank you!
I learned a few new things about my hometown.
I found fascinating the history of Government Street.
Ah, you have to learn more about Govt St's early life!!! So fascinating. Every time I pass through I think of butcher's row still. ha!
During the civil war, Mobile was the 4th largest city in the confederacy behind New Orleans, Charleston, & Richmond. It’s always been a center of culture and wealth.
Yep always; especially during the 1990s
Except today, of course.
@@pyrexmaniac Have you been there? I’m guessing, no. It still is a very clean, beautiful city, with more than vestiges of old southern culture & wealth. So is Huntsville, AL. You should visit before you make assumptions.
Yeah, built off the backs of slaves. No culture in that.
@@TheCaffeinatedOrganistAbsolutely right
Growing up, the ‘apartment building’ I grew up in was one of these mansions where each ‘room’ was turned into a 2 bed/2 bath apartment. Really cool to hear about some of its history
What's the address of that building?
I live in Mobile, and I'm quite familiar with all you showed. Back in the '70s, many homes along Government blvd were beyond restoration and were being torn down (after stripping all the fancy woodwork and moldings from the interiors). You could buy this stuff for a song-- it was a crazy time. Meanwhile, many of the Queen Anne homes a block South of Gov't blvd were offered up for auction for rehabilitation (along with a monetary offer, you had to have a clear plan for restoration with your bid). These auctions were very informal, and usually over in about 15 minutes-- seems the winning bidders were chosen according to who bid, very disappointing for a young guy in his 20's (me). Anyway, most of these homes were, in fact, fully restored and much improved. Mobile has a rich, varied and sometimes troubled history. The "good ol' boy" network is in charge, and breaking into that clique is impossible without family history in the area. Not much has changed since the '70s, other than the sons of those at the top, are now in charge.
Do you mean Church St? That's one of my favorites to walk.
Growing up in South Louisiana, Mobile was the town you passed through on the way to Florida. (Unless you stopped to see the USS Alabama.) Thank you for doing this video - I will spend more time in Mobile next time I'm in the area.
Most people just pass through not knowing what a great city Mobile is.
Interesting history there.
You guys actually get all the way to Florida? I thought all y’all ended up in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Goodness gracious there’s so many Louisianians, Mississippians, and Arkansasians down here right now… thousands and thousands. Y’all loveee these beaches, lol.
It's a great place to get out of.
Got some good bars on Dauphin St. near downtown. Highly recommend it.
You left out many more old mansions that still exists today on Government Street. Also many on Dauphin Street, and Springhill Ave. etc.
Thank you for this video. I live in the Old Dauphinway Historic District and I love driving along Government Street looking at the grander homes. City was slow to grow because the wealthy businessmen who ran the city at the time turned down opportunities in order to keep the city small enough for them to continue to control. With our unique combination of 2 major interstate highways, commercial railroad and commercial airport intersecting, we could have been a larger and more significant seaport city. Current politicians and business community trying to play catchup now in attracting new ventures' moderate success...
I loved all the houses. My in-laws lived there in Mobile before they passed away. My brother-in-laws still live there. I love visiting.
🧐who axt🤩
The 1723 star fort is my favorite. This is because it is making me more aware and appreciative that America had forts that large. Then I love how the bricks were resused to pave the streets. The mansions were very beautiful too but the fort is the most special to me.
We still have a fort in downtown Mobile, and another a short distance away on Dauphin Island (a barrier island) that you can visit today. :)
The Brigalow designed house is very much in the prairie school tradition. The addition of a big front porch makes it even better.
And I love riding in that area during Christmas the decorations be soo gorgeous
Any one who is interested in the Historical Homes Genre will enjoy your content as you do well, your research to present a full and intriguing story line. Very attractive and intertaining. Excellent job!!!
Ixelanth chob!
Hi Ken, I watch from the UK and really enjoy your channel👍
Finally, a "This House" video about..Mobile Homes. 😜🤦♂️I'll see myself out.
That beautiful Victorian is stunning! Would be lovely to see some of the interior. Thank you for sharing some of the archival photos that were available. It's too bad more of the grand old homes weren't photographed before they were demolished. Preserving their history is important work, and you do a great job, Ken. Thank-you.
This past December, I visited Mobile for the very first time. I went there for genealogy purposes because most of the maternal side of my family are from Mobile. I've been able to trace them back to at least 1830. There are some very beautiful historic homes all over the city. I saw the Joshua Kennedy mansion, the Ben May library and Barton Academy on Government near Dearborn St. The size of those three buildings just boggles the mind! I was able to visit all the neighborhoods where my maternal grandparents, great-grandparents, great x 2, and great x 3 grandparents lived. Their dwellings were considerably humbler since they were working class people, but still I was very happy to be able to see them. Everyone I met in Mobile was super friendly and they were very eager to share with me the history of the city. I hope to return to Mobile very soon.
This was a really interested watch. This channel is always making my destinations travels list longer. Thank you for the video!
I love the Burgess house, but the Tacon-Bardield house is definitely my favorite! I would love to see inside that one!!
I agree! Those are my two favorites!
Lovely.
My brother was in the third class of graduates of the USA , the fraternity that he joined had their house in one of these old Mansions in the mid 60s
I helped tear down the 100 year old YMCA building. Lots of old cool houses on that street.
I know for the crews it's mostly just a job; did you have any thoughts when working on these demolitions? Always wondered how the hired hands felt about knocking things down they might think are beautiful.
It was a job I got for time being. Not a job I do. This must have been 20+ years ago.
The mortar was bad, almost like sand in spots. I don't know if they could have done anything for it.
Most brick buildings these days are siding. This building was stacked bricks. I forget like three thick or something.
They had built a new one and the land, as mentioned in this video is $$. It was just after you come out of the tunnels on government street from I-10. It went to condos or office buildings. I don't recall.
Had a pool in basement, basket ball court. I think was 3 or 4 stories.
I got hired when it was half down. Did the job for a little while then started working at hooters haha
I didn't know this, sounds like was on fire
OLD DOWNTOWN YMCA BURNS
Mobile Firefighters were dispatched to the old YMCA building located at Government and Conception Streets on Saturday, July 7, 2001. The call was received at approximately 2:43 p.m. and when firefighters arrived they reported smoke and fire coming from the first floor. Firefighters forced entry into the large 3 story, masonry building and discovered the fire was in the wall and travelling to the upper levels of the building. Because of the poor conditions of the building firefighters were ordered out of the building. Approximately 25-30 minutes after arrival a second alarm assignment was called for, followed shortly after by a third alarm assignment. In all, approximately 12 Mobile Fire-Rescue Units were called to the scene and over 44 firefighters battled the blaze. Firefighters had to be careful around the building as parts of the top of the building collapsed onto the street below on Government and Conception Streets. Another side of the building also collapsed onto a law office next to the old building. One firefighter, Darrell Farmer was transported to Springhill Memorial Hospital by Firemedics complaining of lower back pain. He was treated and released later. No other injuries were reported. The building had been sitting vacant since 1979 and floors inside have rotted over the years due to rain getting inside. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and it is not known when Mobile Fire Investigators will be able to get inside. Firefighters stayed on the scene until late Sunday afternoon making sure there wasn't a rekindle. The Bankhead Tunnel, Conception Street, as well as, Government Street in and around the building will remain closed due to the threat of collapse of the walls. Engineers and other officials are due to be on the scene Monday to discuss how to secure the building. Units assigned the call were: 1st Alarm: Engines 2, 3, 11, truck 4, rescue 22 and District 1 Chief Harold Miller; 2nd Alarm: Engines 8, 9, truck 17, rescue 3 and District 4 Chief Bill Hunter; 3rd Alarm: Engines 14, 21, and truck 24.
I have done concrete with my dad since I was little. I volunteered with habitat for humanity and learned about building. When I turned 14 and could get a work permit I got my first job building houses.
I was also in Mississippi after Katrina rebuilding.
I haven't done it as a job in years but I love building. Help people with garages and we just put up a camp a few years back.
I live in Michigan and we have lots of snow so been doing machine shop work.
Now heading to Alaska in a few weeks for industrial maintenance in a fish plant.
The demo job was fun getting to drive equipment and run a jack hammer 75-80' up on a lift. Didn't bother me since the building was so rough shape.
I must have been 19-20 at the time
The more corners it has the harder it gets to heat🤣
I drive by these houses almost every day going to work
I noticed in one of the older photographs that one of the buildings had a café sign, indicating that perhaps the ground floor had been leased out for a café.??
It is sad when residential areas become consumer areas because that it inevitably leads to these buildings being demolished.
I found it odd that in Washington and Oregon state there are so many wonderful bungalows that are now everything from law offices to beauty salons.
I will never understand why zoning districts let this happen but I think it’s the car culture. It is better than residential areas are left to be. Even mansions such as these can be divided into apartments and live on.
The best is mixed develompment because otherwise you get a food desert or just nothing really. Many cities are like that in usa now.
@@SweetOsoka I respectfully disagree. Food deserts are created mostly in lower-income neighborhood where people choose to drive to big box stores.
Corner bodegas choose to sell lottery tickets, liquor, and cigarettes. They do nothing for these neighborhoods.
Middle and higher-income neighborhoods tend to go to mid-sized stores specific from that purveyor. Once again, it's a car culture thing.
We have mixed zones here with some bakeries and attorneys in older homes. At least instead of allowing the properties fall to ruin, the mixed zones allow for owners with funding that can keep them up.
the Tacon - Barfield mansion is so beautiful. the David Burgess mansion is gorgeous; blessings it is still standing. unfortunate most of the homes were demolished.
5:24 thank you!
…but there are beautiful beaches out that way 😉
Really? Where? I'm in Mobile and I don't see a beautiful beach here.
what happened is like many a town in America , The Car people simply were more interested in travelling too l the suburbs, like Grosse , point farms , something the horse and carriage could not do . So the old central areas didn’t live on , and had a slow death, . Now we what it back , it’s too little too late .
As always, a delightful survey, this time of Mobile's mansions. While it was not as pretentious as some, the Raphael Semmes house has an interesting history. Semmes, captain of the Alabama, was a notorious Confederate privateer during the Civil War -- the scourge of Northern shipping until sunk off the coast of France near the end of the war.
A mansion you might be interested in is the Henry Overholser Mansion in Oklahoma City, OK. It is a museum now.
3:52 I still remember when I was a child, a family from Poland named The Magons lived in this home. They were Jewish and the nicest people! We had Polish pen pals in school because of them and even danced in the International Festival with them 😊
i still don't understand why "renaissance revival" is much more reminiscent of the Baroque.
Income taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, inheritance taxes, sales taxes etc. will eventually KILL a family’s wealth if their children or grandchildren have NO ambitions.
Also a big chunk of those taxes didnt exist when some of those fortunes were first made, so. In all fairness they had a leg up, ha! But you are not wrong.
There were also several catastrophic fires
I grew up in mobile and I have to say two things.
1. While government street may not have its iconic mansions anymore, a good portion of it is still pretty ritzy. The main stretch even still retains a canopy of oak trees that interlace over the street to make a beautiful drive into the downtown area.
2. the wealthy of mobile more or less related deeper inland. I had the privilege of growing up with a member of one wealthy family's child, the Morsettes. They live what is now the wealthy part of town, spring hill, in a concrete wall surrounded compound with their entire family living in private mansions in the interior. Spring hill is now the premiere area of wealth and anyone who would tour the neighborhoods opposite the schools and college would find many MANY wealthy homes that just scream gaudy and ostentatious.
I always felt it was kind of sad. It was literally like the plot of the cartoon series made my Will Ferrel, the Oblongs. These privileged well-to-do's literally living on the highground on spring hill and bit and spur, and as you went down hill westward, you would quickly watch the income bracket drop past the i-65 as people in the low lands struggled to keep businesses running and homes were ramshackle and decrepit. Yet if you asked anyone in spring hill (or where I lived) they would call it "quaint".
Its why I had to leave. Anyone who isn't jaded leave's mobile when they graduate.
I love the Mediterranean style...and of course gingerbread...
I have family buried in Mobile
Sad
It was a major port. Why wouldn't it have millionaires?
“Cotton industry”
I like living on goverment aka Midtown..
Homeless everywhere
I drive by those mansions nearly every day 🥰
Wonder if they used any of these houses in Forrest Gump.
Too bad all the gorgeous, stately homes were razed
Still a lot of them here!
I live in mobile it's basically a warzone now
I live in Mobile, and this is blatantly not true…
@@surgeone01 lol u apartly do not watch the news then
@@jonathonlyles3349 do you ACTUALLY pay attention to the news? I hope you know the news just reposts the same crimes over and over for 2-3 days right? Not to mention you are basing the view of the city you live based on a source that gets its revenue from knee jerk reactions like yourself that feed off the negativity of the news… go out and explore your city and you’ll see much different place than the news tries to portray
And you thought Mardi Gras started in Louisiana....now you know better.
When you think about what 'the cotton industry ' means, it's a little harder to enjoy these homes.
However, I do enjoy these neighborhood videos .
Why is it that some people need to get their panties in a wad every time that era is discussed?
Bro it was almost 40 years after slavery was abolished when these homes were built.
@@Turbohubuchezic1888 it may have been “abolished,” but it didn’t go away. I’m old enough to have seen some stuff.
Yes I cringed like hell and my mind went straight to micheal mcdonald being hung right on government street in1984!!
You seem best suited to answer that question.
Who would have thought Mobile would have boasted a millionaires row??? Are you a Yankee and know little about the south?? Mobile was a MAJOR port city. As you said COTTON, brought wealth.
You mean slaves brought wealth.
🚨I live here and it’s crazy that I have to find out things about my city through CZcams. I guess since it was so cloaked in racism and dehumanization that they left out much of its history and destroyed the evidence and put government buildings ontop of it. That’s wild.
It’s still a really beautiful place.. but the economy sucks. One reason was The millionaires left once they no longer had free labor from the ppl they kidnapped and trafficked to the location (slaves).
Mardi Gras was established here, and it’s a pretty festive time to visit, for all. 💜
I find it astonishing and disturbing that the reference to the abhorrent institution of slavery was stated as a “lucrative cotton plantation” when speaking of the Forbes-Smith house. We can admire the beautiful architecture but it is wise to be truthful and explicit in the fact that these homes were financed through the enslavement of Black people. Slavery is not “lucrative”.
really good point
Look up the definition of the word lucrative.
The way the topic of slavery was sanitized and skimmed over is embarrassing. The Vanderbilts “felt unsafe” after Lincoln’s assassination decoded = fear of slaves revolting. The wealth they amassed allowed them to pick up and live lavishly in Europe, as well as in the mansions shown in NY & RI. Disgusting.
What happened? Hurricanes happened.
Most built with blood stained money. I have no remorse Plantation owners children and descendents.
For what it's worth, that Forbes-Smith descendent created her own standing in the NYC elite, and then used her name/money to create her own woman's suffrage group, as the mainstream one held 2 attitudes that didn't sit well with her: lack of aggression in pursuing their aims, and not including women of color in those aims.
@@abbyharrison5185 like how the orange dude is self made and very supportive of the black community?