Baldwin County Archives & History

05/22/2026

🌳The Magnolia Springs Community Hall has been at the heart of the community for more than 130 years. Built in 1894 on land donated by Otis Lyman, it originally served as the area’s first schoolhouse before becoming a place where neighbors gathered for dances, meetings, church activities, Scout gatherings, potlucks, and local events. Through generations, it has remained a symbol of the close-knit spirit and rich history of Magnolia Springs.

05/18/2026

Historic Preservation Month: Then vs. Now

Preserving Baldwin County’s Past While Connecting It to the Present.

Throughout Historic Preservation Month, our Then vs. Now series highlights historic places across Baldwin County by comparing how they once looked to how they appear today. By preserving and sharing these stories, we help ensure future generations can connect with the people, places, and events that shaped our communities.

Do you have old photographs, postcards, or videos of historic places in Baldwin County? We would love to see them. Drop them in the comments and help us preserve and share Baldwin County’s history together.

🏛️ Let’s take a stroll through the historic town of Bay Minette, Alabama!

Where every street corner holds a piece of Baldwin County history. Founded in the late 1800s after the arrival of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, Bay Minette quickly became a thriving center for timber, farming, and trade in South Alabama. The railroad brought new businesses, families, and opportunity, helping shape the town into the heart of North Baldwin County. 🚂

📜 Bay Minette is perhaps best known for its connection to one of the most notable events in Baldwin County history. Daphne originally served as the Baldwin County seat until the Alabama Legislature authorized the relocation of the county seat to Bay Minette through legislative action in 1901. Following the transfer of county records and governmental operations, Bay Minette became the official county seat of Baldwin County, where it remains today.

As you stroll through downtown, you’ll find historic buildings, longtime local businesses, timeless houses, and reminders of the town’s railroad roots that have stood for generations. From its rich southern heritage to the strong sense of community that still exists today, Bay Minette continues to preserve the history and charm that make it one of Alabama’s most treasured small towns.

Video Credit: AJ Caswell, Archives Specialist (Temp)

05/12/2026

Historic Preservation Month: Then vs. Now. Preserving the Places That Tell Baldwin County’s Story.

This is the Baldwin County Bank, established in 1901. The bank was once located on the corner where Wells Fargo Bank in Bay Minette stands today.

Do you remember this place? Share your memories and stories in the comments below.

Preserving history today ensures future generations can experience the stories of yesterday.

05/12/2026

On May 6th, Bicentennial Park welcomed the 3rd Grade Class from St. Patrick Catholic School led by Natasha Pratt for a fun and educational day of hands-on history. Students explored what life was like in the early days through our historic exhibits, demonstrations, and interactive learning experiences.

The students had a wonderful time learning about Baldwin County’s rich heritage while making memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you to St. Patrick Catholic School for visiting and allowing us to share the importance of preserving and understanding our local history.

Field trips are offered on Wednesdays from February through mid-May each year from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. While our program is primarily focused on 3rd and 4th-grade students, we can accommodate groups of all ages. Please visit the link below to schedule your field trip.

https://parks.baldwincountyal.gov/bicentennial

📸 Photos shared with permission.

05/06/2026

📍The Historic To***co Warehouse of Summerdale, Alabama

Did you know that Summerdale was once known as one of Alabama’s early to***co hubs? 🌿

The town itself was founded in the early 1900s with the vision of becoming a thriving to***co producing community. By around 1909–1910, the iconic to***co warehouse was built, serving as a central hub where locally grown to***co leaves were stored, processed, and prepared for market.

At the time, to***co farming played a major role in the local economy, alongside other industries like turpentine production and farming. The arrival of the railroad in 1905 helped farmers ship crops including to***co across the region, fueling the town’s early growth.

Although to***co production in the area declined by the late 1920s due to economic challenges and changing markets, the warehouse remains a lasting symbol of Summerdale’s agricultural roots and entrepreneurial spirit.

Today, the old to***co warehouse still stands near the heart of town, offering a glimpse into a time when Summerdale was proudly shaping its identity as a farming and trading community. It continues to be a piece of local history that connects past generations to the present.

From to***co fields to a close knit community, Summerdale’s story is one of resilience, growth, and heritage. 🌞

05/06/2026

May is Historic Preservation Month, a time to celebrate and reflect on the places, stories, and landmarks that help shape Baldwin County’s rich history and heritage.

Throughout the month, the Baldwin County Archives & History Department will be presenting a special “Then & Now” series, highlighting historic sites across our county and showcasing how they have changed over time while preserving their historical significance.

We are excited to have A.J. Caswell, a member of our Archives & History team, assisting with this month’s preservation features and historical spotlights.

Historic preservation is more than saving old buildings; it is about protecting the stories, memories, and cultural identity of our communities for future generations. We invite you to follow along with us this month as we celebrate Baldwin County’s past and the importance of preserving it for the future.

If you have historic photographs of buildings or sites in your community, we encourage you to share your own “Then vs. Now” photos in the comments throughout the month. Our team may reach out to you, and selected participants will receive a Baldwin County swag item as a thank-you for helping preserve and share local history.

04/28/2026

📚✨ A Journey Through Time: Thank You, Foley Elementary 4th Grade! ✨📚

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the 4th-grade classes of Foley Elementary School for visiting Baldwin County’s Historic Bicentennial Park! It was a pleasure hosting you, and we hope your time with us was both educational and enjoyable.

Students had the opportunity to step back in time and experience history firsthand while exploring some of the park’s treasured amenities, including the Little Red Schoolhouse (built in 1920), the Historic Montpelier Methodist Church (built in 1895), the Latham Post Office (built in 1901), and the General Store (circa 1950s). Self-guided tours also took them through the Native American Lifestyle exhibit, Veterans Memorial, Davida Hastie Memorial, and the 19th-century blacksmith shop.

The day was filled with hands-on learning and fun as students learned the history of each structure from local historians dressed in period attire, bringing the past to life in a meaningful and engaging way. They also enjoyed bluegrass music in the park, played old-timey games such as corn hole toss, hula hoop, and limbo, and rode the trolley to visit various areas throughout the grounds before enjoying lunch together.

A very special thank you to our dedicated docents and partners who helped bring history to life: Claudia Campbell, Georgene Connor, Susan Burger, Kelly Stewart, the South Alabama Antique Tractor and Engine Club, our Archives Team, and the Parks and Recreation Crew. Your efforts made this experience truly authentic and memorable for the students.

We are grateful for the opportunity to share Baldwin County’s rich history and look forward to welcoming Foley Elementary back again next year!

📸 Photos and videos from this field trip will be shared with permission. Please note that we do not own the rights to any background music included in the posted videos.

04/20/2026

In observance of Confederate History Month, the Baldwin County Department of Archives and History is sharing a historical documentary on the Battle of Mobile Bay and the Siege of Fort Morgan, events that played a significant role in our region during the Civil War. This content is presented for educational purposes to highlight the military, social, and local impacts of the conflict. Our mission is to preserve and share Baldwin County’s history in a manner that is accurate, informative, and respectful of all perspectives.

1 like. "Battle of Mobile Bay and Siege of Fort Morgan"

04/15/2026

In observance of Confederate History Month, I would like to acknowledge one of my favorite local historians and dedicated public servants, Daniel Bert “Danny” Blackmon.

Born on November 7, 1948, in Florala, Alabama, and a longtime resident of Bay Minette, Mr. Blackmon devoted his life to education, history, and community service. He was a retired teacher, having taught at Summerdale and Foley Middle Schools, and a proud veteran of the U.S. National Guard.

Mr. Blackmon had a deep love for history and was actively involved in historical interpretation and reenactments across multiple eras. He was a member of the General Galvez Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Society of the War of 1812 in the State of Alabama, where he served as historian for approximately 10 years. He was also a committed member of the Fort Blakeley Camp #1864, Sons of Confederate Veterans, and the Brigadier General St. John Richardson Liddell Chapter #271, Military Order of the Stars and Bars.

His passion extended to local history, particularly the War of 1812 and Fort Mims, where he helped educate students through field trips and hands-on learning experiences. Mr. Blackmon also served the community through his work with the Baldwin County Historic Development Commission and as a member of the Alabama 200 Baldwin County Bicentennial Steering Committee from 2017 to 2019. Each April, he faithfully shared his knowledge with the Baldwin County Commission in observance of Confederate History Month.

Later in life, he continued his service at Baldwin County Bicentennial Park in Stockton as a part-time Landscape Technician I and front gate attendant, where he welcomed visitors and shared his knowledge until his illness.

Throughout his life, Mr. Blackmon demonstrated a deep and abiding love for Baldwin County through his selfless service, his commitment to education, and his passion for preserving and sharing history.

Mr. Blackmon passed on November 11, 2020, but his legacy continues to live on through the lives he touched and the history he worked so hard to preserve. It is an honor to continue sharing his story and his passion with others.

His oral history interview is linked below.

Bert Blackmon Story

04/11/2026

The Alabama Historical Association’s 78th Annual Meeting was a great success, informative, inspiring, and enlightening as always! It was wonderful to reconnect with so many friends from across the state and to meet new ones. There were lots of new faces this year, which made the experience even more special.

The presentations were phenomenal, and congratulations to this year’s award recipients for their outstanding contributions.

A special thank you to our President, Dr. Matthew Downs of the University of Mobile, and AHA Secretary Mark Wilson and Maiben Beard of Auburn University for their tireless work. We also extend our gratitude to the entire planning committee and Board of Directors for making this event possible.

It was also a pleasure to see my friend Jay Lamar, Executive Director of the Alabama 200 Bicentennial Celebration, at this year’s conference.

A big thank you to Coastal Alabama’s administration, staff, and ambassadors for being so welcoming and helpful throughout the event. And to Fairhope and the surrounding communities, your hospitality truly made a lasting impression on our guests!

I am very proud of Baldwin County!