big beautiful BALDWIN Founding Families of Baldwin County 2020-2021 Gulf Coast Media GulfCoastNewsToday.com TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction: 6 Heritage Families NATURE 41 Mardi Gras 64 Our Heritage of Baldwin County 24 Nature Trails 42 Pet Friendly Places 65 Parks 46 Agriculture 66 THE REGION 9 OUTDOOR Beach Access 51 North Baldwin 10 ACTIVITIES 28 NEED TO KNOW 69 Eastern Shore 12 Water Sports 30 ENTERTAINMENT 53 Hurricane Readiness 70 Central Baldwin 14 Boat Launches 31 Live Music 54 Driver License Info 70 South Baldwin 16 Fishing 32 Fine Arts 55 Utility Info 71 Camping 34 Splash Pads 56 Elected Officials 72 THE HISTORY 19 Hunting 35 Public Schools 73 Historical Attractions 20 Golf 36 CULTURE 59 City Info 76 Museums 21 Tennis 36 Seafood 60 Veteran’s Services 79 National Register Disc Golf & Skate Parks 38 41 Dishes to Try Church Directory 80 of Historic Places 23 Before You Die 62 Advertiser Index 84 PUBLISHER GRAPHIC DESIGN Parks Rogers Paige Marmolejo Many of the events listed in this book are waiting for COVID-19 restrictions to be lifted before they can be scheduled. Therefore many dates are not listed in our entertainment EDITOR PHOTOGRAPHY Allison Marlow Allison Marlow, section. Please visit the event’s online Facebook page or website for updates. CONTRIBUTING John Underwood and EDITORS/WRITERS Jessica Vaughn Guy Busby, ADVERTISING ABOUT THE COVER In 2019 Baldwin County celebrated the Melanie LeCroy, REPRESENTATIVES families whose ancestors built our first towns, elected our first big beautiful John Underwood, Frank Kustura, BALDWIN Founding Families of Baldwin County mayors and began a legacy that continues to thrive today. The Jessica Vaughn and LouAnn Love and 2020-2021 Tony Whitehead Bethany Summerlin Baldwin County Archives staff held a recognition ceremony to honor each Heritage Family. Some of those individuals are Gulf Coast Media GulfCoastNewsToday.com featured on this year’s Big Beautiful Baldwin cover. Photos by Jenni Guerry BIG BEAUTIFUL BALDWIN is a user-friendly guide to help residents and visitors experience Baldwin County’s best. Published annually by GULF COAST MEDIA Reproduction without permission is prohibited. (a division of Osteen Publishing Company) GCM accepts no responsibility in the guarantee of goods and services advertised. 901 N. McKenzie St., Foley, AL 36535 Extra copies available at the Gulf Coast Media office 251-943-2151 at no charge while supplies last or for $4 if mailed. Life Less Interrupted... Receive a 40 Gallon Water Heater When You Switch To Natural Gas WITH NATURAL GAS YOUR LIFE WILL BE LESS INTERRUPTED AFTER A HURRICANE... You will still be able to cook with a gas range, gas outdoor grill and enjoy a hot shower with a natural gas water heater. Gas Fireplaces Generac Generators Coppersmith Gas Lanterns NATURAL gas Take comfort in it. Call Us Today To Find Out About Switching To Natural Gas Wilmington Grills CLARKE-MOBILE COUNTIES GAS DISTRICT 24831 Canal Road • Post Office Box 3069 • Orange Beach, AL 36561 251-974-5432 877-393-7547 Serving Orange Beach Alabama gas for homes, schools, hospitals, factories, mills, industries & power plants. GulfCoastNewsToday.com FOUNDING FAMILIES OF BALDWIN COUNTY • 2020-21 • Big Beautiful Baldwin 5 OUR HERITAGE The first inhabitants to Baldwin County’s rich Delta rich history and heritage. region can be traced back approximately 10,000 years Baldwin County has also been the site of many historical to pre-Mississippian Native American cultures, who battles. Andrew Jackson and his Volunteers fought the are often referred to as “mound-builders.” Even today, a Indians in 1813 at Fort Mims, and Jackson also crossed the variety of burial, ceremonial and residential mounds can county to cause the surrender of the Spanish commandant be found along the county’s waterways. at Pensacola. The Spanish arrived in the area in 1519 when Alonzo During the War of 1812, at Fort Bowyer (now Fort Alvarez De Pineda sailed into Mobile Bay and named it Morgan), the British attacked the fort prior to the infamous Espiritu Santo; in 1540, Hernando de Soto traveled through Battle of New Orleans, losing the HMS Hermes in the a portion of the county — the town of Spanish Fort being process. the site of the Spanish occupation. During the Civil War, Fort Morgan was once again Over the years, both the French and English would also the site of a fierce battle, when, in 1864, Union Adm. occupy the county, offering a variety of contributions to its David Farragut entered Baldwin-Mobile Bay to seal off Confederate shipping. During the fighting, the Tecumseh, a Federal Ironclad, sank in a narrow inlet, where it still lies with its entombed crew near the fort. Numerous skirmishes also occurred in the northern part of the county. Fort McDermott in the Spanish Fort region received 48 hours of constant bombardment, and in April 1865, Union forces mounted an assault on Fort Blakeley, with an estimated 4,475 soldiers killed or wounded in the attack on the earthwork fortress. Baldwin County was not only a place where battles were fought, but a land where futures were built by embracing diversity and with a neighborly helping hand — France, Greece, Yugoslavia, Germany, Russia, Sweden, It’s the name you’ve known & trusted Czechoslovakia, countless African nations and dozens of for expert, professional auto body repair and other sources have contributed to the area’s rich cultural painting for more than 40 years. history. •Complete Auto Body & Frame This melting pot of people built the county’s agricultural, commercial, manufacturing, tourism and fishing Repair (Foreign & Domestic) industries and made the county prosper and persevere during even severe economic depressions. •24 Hour Towing Today, Baldwin County remains one of the fastest growing counties in Alabama, with 182,265 citizens •Approved by All Major Insurances according to the 2010 census, and growing by estimated by 12 new residents per day, making the current population 251-943-4011 over 210,000. Baldwin County is a place welcome to all — a land of abundant natural resources, a healthy economy East Laurel Ave., Foley and beautiful beaches, as well as a people who have carved (Next to State Farm & Baldwin Mutual) out a place to live, prosper and continually grow. 6 Big Beautiful Baldwin • 2020-21 • FOUNDING FAMILIES OF BALDWIN COUNTY GulfCoastNewsToday.com BRENNY’S JEWELRY COMPANY 333 Fairhope Ave • Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 928-3916 BRENNY’S TOO! 331 Fairhope Ave • Fairhope, AL 36532 BRENNY’S JEWELRY (251) 928-4011 Mon. - Fri. 9:30 - 5:00 • Sat. 10:00 - 5:00 An Eastern Shore Tradition Since 1986 COME BY AND VISIT OUR SHOP IN SHOPS Check out our specials and our local charms Luxury Your story is one of a kind, within reach make it your own! Free pair of earrings ($80 value) with $200 purchase! 20% OFF! 20% OFF! Natures Beauty, Nature’s Power One Step Ahead Of The Rest Created by Alamea from Hawaii Over 200 watches in stock to choose from! Customize yours today! Antique & Estate Jewelry Engagement Rings With Impeccable Artistry and Award Winning Design. 20% off all Antique & Estate Jewelry 413 E. Laurel Ave. • Foley, AL 36353 700 Whispering Pines Rd. • Daphne, AL 36526 251-943-5001 251-626-5000 Outages & Emergencies 251-943-4999 Outages & Emergencies 251-625-4999 “After the storm, your friends are there for you.” Serving South Baldwin County Since 1916 www.rivierautilities.com 8 Big Beautiful Baldwin • 2020-21 • FOUNDING FAMILIES OF BALDWIN COUNTY GulfCoastNewsToday.com REGIONAL Baldwin County is the largest county in Alabama and the 12th largest county east of the Mississippi River. Its 2,027 square miles are filled with historical sites, shopping, top-notch restaurants, golf courses, nature trails and parks. Rolling, wooded hills and the Mobile-Tensaw Delta characterize the North Baldwin area, and the bluffs on the Eastern Shore overlook beautiful Mobile Bay. Central Baldwin has no shortage of wide-open spaces and scenic farmland, and the white sand beaches of South Baldwin draw visitors from all over the country. The people of Baldwin County are as diverse and beautiful as its landscape. The area is a haven for artists, musicians, writers and photographers as well as farmers, fishermen and chefs. This diversity of land and people has created a place where everyone can find their niche. There’s an event, class, outdoor activity or new hobby just waiting to be discovered. Communities all over the county are ready to be explored and enjoyed — get out there and have some fun. Tensaw north Stockton BALDWIN Bay Minette If you like hunting, fishing or simply getting out and enjoying the splendors of nature, North Baldwin County will be your paradise. From the bogs and rivers of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta to the beautiful pine forests, abundant flora and fauna delights and entertains. If your idea of a good time is pitching a tent and stargazing as you sit around a fire, North Baldwin is the place for you. The region also has plenty of excellent hotel accommodations and shopping destinations that will please you without putting a dent in your pocketbook. BAY MINETTE Bay Minette is the county seat of Baldwin County past of this county. While visiting, don’t miss a Southern and embodies the kind of small town charm the South feast at the Stagecoach Café, located across the street is known for, complete with scenic oak-lined streets from the newest county museum, The Stockton Heritage and gorgeous homes that speak to a bygone era. Visit Museum. the picturesque public library, stop by the vibrant North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce or enjoy some good home cooking at one of the many excellent local restaurants. TENSAW-STOCKTON Where Alabama Highway 225 and 59 meet, sits the community of Stockton.