History of Mobile, Alabama in Timeline

Mobile, Alabama, is the county seat of Mobile County and the second-most populous city in Alabama, with a population of 187,041 in 2020, rising to an estimated 204,689 after a 2023 annexation. Its metropolitan area, home to approximately 412,000 residents, ranks as the third-largest in the state.

1900: Mobile Population in 1900

In 1900, the population of Mobile was around 40,000.

1901: New Constitution in 1901

In 1901, the state passed a new constitution that disenfranchised most blacks and many poor whites, leading to discriminatory legislation.

1902: First Racial Segregation Ordinance in 1902

In 1902, Mobile's city government passed its first racial segregation ordinance, segregating the city streetcars, which led to a two-month boycott by the African-American population.

1911: Commission Form of Government Adopted in 1911

In 1911, the city adopted a commission form of government with three members elected at-large.

1911: Adoption of Commission Government in 1911

In 1911, the city adopted a commission form of government, which was found to have been adopted with discriminatory intent.

1920: Mobile Population in 1920

By 1920, Mobile's population had increased to 60,000.

1923: Julius T. Wright School for Girls Founded

The Julius T. Wright School for Girls was founded in 1923.

1927: Bishop State Community College Founded

Bishop State Community College was founded in 1927.

1927: Saenger Theatre Opening

The Saenger Theatre opened in 1927 as a movie palace in Mobile.

1940: Population Increase in 1940

In 1940, the defense buildup in Mobile shipyards resulted in a considerable increase in the city's white middle-class and working-class population.

May 1943: Race Riot in May 1943

In May 1943, a race riot broke out between whites and blacks at ADDSCO after the promotion of 12 blacks to welding positions, which were previously reserved for whites.

1943: Influx of Workers by 1943

By 1943, more than 89,000 people had moved into Mobile to work for war effort industries.

December 17, 1947: Joe Jefferson Players Debut

On December 17, 1947, the Joe Jefferson Players, Alabama's oldest continually running community theatre, debuted. It was named in honor of comedic actor Joe Jefferson.

1948: Ladd-Peebles Stadium Opened

The Ladd-Peebles Stadium opened in 1948 in Mobile.

1949: Cater Act Passed in 1949

In 1949, the Alabama legislature passed the Cater Act, allowing cities and counties to set up industrial development boards to attract new industry.

1951: Senior Bowl Started

Mobile has been home to the Senior Bowl, featuring the best college seniors in NCAA football, since 1951.

1954: Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

In 1954, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional.

1955: Greater Gulf State Fair

The Greater Gulf State Fair has been held each October since 1955.

1962: Mobile Establishes Cater Act Board in 1962

In 1962, Mobile established a Cater Act board, driven by Mayor George E. McNally, to attract new industry, which led to conflict with the Chamber of Commerce.

1963: Desegregation Case Filed in 1963

In 1963, three African-American students brought a case against the Mobile County School Board for being denied admission to Murphy High School.

1963: University of South Alabama Established

The University of South Alabama was established in 1963.

1964: Desegregation of Murphy High in 1964

In 1964, a federal district court ordered the admission of three African-American students to Murphy High School for the 1964 school year, leading to the desegregation of Mobile County's school system.

1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964

In 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, increasing the percentage of black residents able to vote, ending multiple forms of segregation, and allowing the NAACP to return to Mobile.

1965: Voting Rights Act of 1965

In 1965, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed, increasing the percentage of black residents able to vote, ending multiple forms of segregation, and allowing the NAACP to return to Mobile.

1969: Closure of Brookley Air Force Base in 1969

In 1969, the Department of Defense closed Brookley Air Force Base, dealing a blow to Mobile's economy and resulting in 16,000 people losing their jobs.

1975: Faulkner University Mobile Campus Founded

Faulkner University founded its Mobile campus in 1975.

1975: Springhill Medical Center Founded

In 1975, Springhill Medical Center, Mobile's only for-profit facility, was founded.

1975: Voting Rights Act Violation

In 1975, the previous form of Mobile government was ruled to violate the Voting Rights Act in Bolden v. City of Mobile.

1978: Azalea Trail Run Started

The Azalea Trail Run, a 10k run through historic Mobile, has been an annual event since 1978.

September 12, 1979: Hurricane Frederic in September 1979

On September 12, 1979, Category-3 Hurricane Frederic passed over Mobile, causing tremendous damage.

1982: City of Mobile v. Bolden in 1982

In 1982, Mobile's city commission form of government was challenged and overturned in City of Mobile v. Bolden.

1985: Mayor-Council Government Enacted in 1985

In 1985, Mobile's state legislative delegation enacted a mayor-council form of government with seven members elected from single-member districts, which was approved by voters.

1985: New Government form

Since 1985 the government of Mobile has consisted of a mayor and a seven-member city council.

1988: Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic Started

Since 1988, Ladd–Peebles Stadium has hosted the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic.

1988: UMS-Wright Preparatory School Formed

UMS-Wright Preparatory School assumed its current configuration in 1988, when the University Military School and the Julius T. Wright School for Girls merged.

1989: Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Founded

The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science was founded in 1989 in Mobile.

1993: New Jobs Created in 1993-2003

Between 1993 and 2003, roughly 13,983 new jobs were created in Mobile as 87 new companies were founded and 399 existing companies were expanded.

October 4, 1995: Hurricane Opal in October 1995

On October 4, 1995, Mobile experienced moderate damage from Hurricane Opal.

1995: BayFest Started

BayFest, an annual three-day music festival, began in 1995 and lasted until 2015.

1996: No Snowfall Between 1996 and 2017

From 1996 to 2017, the city of Mobile did not experience snowfall.

1997: BayBears at Hank Aaron Stadium

Mobile's Hank Aaron Stadium was the home of the Minor League Mobile BayBears from 1997 to 2019.

1999: Founding of Austal USA in 1999

Shipbuilding increased substantially in 1999 with the founding of Austal USA.

1999: Mitchell Company Tournament of Champions

The Mitchell Company Tournament of Champions was first played at Magnolia Grove in 1999.

1999: Mobile Alabama Bowl

The Mobile Alabama Bowl was played at Ladd–Peebles Stadium from 1999 to 2020.

July 24, 2002: Lagniappe Founded

Mobile's alternative newspaper, the Lagniappe, was founded on July 24, 2002.

2002: Mobile Museum of Art Expansion

In 2002, the Mobile Museum of Art was expanded to approximately 95,000 square feet.

2003: New Jobs Created in 1993-2003

Between 1993 and 2003, roughly 13,983 new jobs were created in Mobile as 87 new companies were founded and 399 existing companies were expanded.

September 16, 2004: Hurricane Ivan in September 2004

On September 16, 2004, Mobile experienced moderate damage from Hurricane Ivan.

2004: Conde Explorers Founded

In 2004, the Conde Explorers Mardi Gras society was founded in Mobile.

August 29, 2005: Hurricane Katrina in August 2005

On August 29, 2005, Mobile suffered millions of dollars in damage from Hurricane Katrina, with a storm surge of 11.45 feet (3.49 m) causing extensive flooding.

2005: Sunset Limited Service Suspended

Amtrak's Sunset Limited passenger train service was suspended in 2005 due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

2005: Austal Expansion in 2005

In 2005, Austal USA expanded its production facility for United States defense and commercial aluminum shipbuilding on Blakeley Island.

2005: Alabama State Docks Expansion in 2005

In 2005, Mobile's Alabama State Docks completed the largest expansion in its history, increasing its container processing and storage facility.

2005: Sam Jones Elected Mayor

In 2005, Sam Jones was elected as the first African-American mayor of Mobile.

2005: Conde Explorers Parade

In 2005, the Conde Explorers became the first integrated Mardi Gras society to parade in downtown Mobile.

2007: Wettest City in 2007

A 2007 study determined that Mobile is the wettest city in the contiguous 48 states, with an average annual rainfall of 66.3 inches (1,680 mm) over a 30-year period.

2007: Mitchell Company Tournament of Champions Last Played

The Mitchell Company Tournament of Champions was last played at Magnolia Grove in 2007.

2007: University of South Alabama football team established

The University of South Alabama in Mobile established a football team in 2007.

2008: Port Ranking Decline in 2008-2010

From 2008 to 2010, despite the expansion, the port went from 9th largest to the 12th largest by tonnage in the nation.

2008: The Order of Myths Documentary

In 2008, the Conde Explorers were featured in the documentary, "The Order of Myths" by Margaret Brown about Mobile's Mardi Gras.

Loading Video...

2008: Mitchell Cancer Center Institute Opened

In 2008, the University of South Alabama opened the Mitchell Cancer Center Institute, which includes the first academic cancer research center in the central Gulf Coast region.

2008: Crescent Theater shows arthouse films

Since 2008, the Crescent Theater in downtown Mobile has shown arthouse films.

2008: Mobile Bay LPGA Classic Started

The Mobile Bay LPGA Classic took place in 2008, held at Mobile's Magnolia Grove.

2009: Sam Jones Re-elected

In 2009, Sam Jones was re-elected for a second term as mayor of Mobile.

2009: Football Team Inaugural Season

In 2009, the University of South Alabama football team went undefeated in its inaugural season.

May 2010: BAE Systems Acquisition in May 2010

In May 2010, Atlantic Marine was acquired by British defense conglomerate BAE Systems and renamed BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards.

2010: Port Ranking Decline in 2008-2010

From 2008 to 2010, despite the expansion, the port went from 9th largest to the 12th largest by tonnage in the nation.

December 2012: Tornado Strikes Mobile in December 2012

In December 2012, Mobile suffered two major tornadoes, one on December 20th and another on December 25th. The second tornado caused significant damage and led to Murphy High School students being transferred to Clark-Shaw Magnet School.

December 25, 2012: Tornado Outbreak December 25, 2012

On December 25, 2012, a large EF2 wedge tornado touched down in Mobile, causing damage or destruction to at least 100 structures in Midtown and significant damage to houses along several streets.

2013: Sandy Stimpson Elected Mayor

In 2013, Sandy Stimpson defeated Sam Jones to become mayor of Mobile.

2013: Football team to Division 1

In 2013, the University of South Alabama football program moved to Division I/FBS.

2014: American Values Atlas Data in 2014

According to American Values Atlas data published in 2014, the majority of Mobile's population were Christians.

2015: BayFest Ended

The last BayFest music festival was held in 2015. It had been an annual event since 1995.

November 9, 2016: Carnival Fantasy's First Departure

On November 9, 2016, the Carnival Fantasy departed from Mobile for the first time, embarking on a five-night cruise to Cozumel and Progreso.

2016: Spire Inc. acquires Mobile Gas parent company

In 2016, Spire Inc. acquired EnergySouth, Inc., the parent company of Mobile Gas, and has been providing natural gas service to the surrounding community since then.

2017: No Snowfall Between 1996 and 2017

From 1996 to 2017, the city of Mobile did not experience snowfall.

2018: Snowfall in 2018

The most recent snowfall event before 2025, occurred on January 16-17, 2018.

August 2019: Airbus A220 production begins

In August 2019, the Airbus assembly plant in Mobile began production on the Airbus A220 model.

2019: Efforts to restart rail service revived

In 2019, efforts to restart passenger rail service between Mobile and New Orleans were revived by the Southern Rail Commission after receiving a $33 million Federal Railroad Administration grant.

2019: Mobile City Council Vote

In the Winter of 2019 the Mobile City Council committed about $3 million in a 6-1 vote.

2019: Minor League Baseball Ended

Mobile has been home to Minor League Baseball teams from the late nineteenth century to 2019.

2020: Census Data 2020

As of the 2020 census, Mobile had a population of 187,041 people, 77,772 households, and 45,953 families.

2020: Hurricane Sally in 2020

In 2020, on the 16th anniversary of Ivan, Hurricane Sally became the first Hurricane since Ivan to directly hit Alabama causing significant damage. A month later Hurricane Zeta struck the area as a Category-3.

2020: Population in 2020

In 2020, the population of Mobile was 187,041 according to the census.

2020: Team Plays at Hancock Whitney Stadium

Starting in 2020, the University of South Alabama football team plays at Hancock Whitney Stadium.

2020: Hancock Whitney Stadium Opened

The Hancock Whitney Stadium opened in 2020 on the campus of University of South Alabama.

2020: Mobile Alabama Bowl last time at Ladd-Peebles Stadium

The Mobile Alabama Bowl was played at Ladd–Peebles Stadium for the last time in 2020.

2021: 68 Ventures Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium

Since 2021, the 68 Ventures Bowl has been played at Hancock Whitney Stadium.

July 2023: Annexation in July 2023

In July 2023, Mobile annexed areas west of the city, increasing its population to 204,689 residents and making it a majority-minority city.

August 2023: Record High Temperature in August 2023

In August 2023, the record high temperature in Mobile was set at 106 °F (41 °C).

2023: Annexation in 2023

In 2023, Mobile annexed territory, increasing the population to an estimated 204,689, making it the second-most populous city in Alabama.

2023: USA Health Acquires Providence Hospital

In 2023, USA Health acquired Providence Hospital from its private Catholic ownership.

2024: American Community Survey Estimates in 2024

According to the 2024 American Community Survey estimates, 19.7% of the population was under 18, the median age was 38.6, and the median household income was $50,156.

2024: Largest Employers in Mobile

According to the City's 2024 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the text would list the largest employers in the city.

2024: City of Mobile Revenue and Expenditures

In 2024, the city of Mobile received $281.7 million in sales tax, $34.5 million in property tax, and $90.1 million for services. The total revenue was $514.3 million, and the total expenditures was $455.3 million.