(Continued from page 19)


The international trade sustained by Mobile throughout her 300-year history provided even the earliest settlers with the finer things from Europe, England, the Mediterranean, and the Orient. Magnificent architecture and grand homes, each with its own distinctive charm, reflect the builders' and owners' taste and heritage. Thankfully, preservation efforts over the past century have salvaged many treasures that tell the story of our country's early history, and many of these can be found in the homes and buildings of Mobile.


fallen flat. Developer Lawrence Posner, says fixing up grand old properties has “become like an addiction to him.” He can tell you all about what it took to make this area the little gem that it is today. The Fort Conde Inn is one of 11 projects that this former attorney from New York has completed here. The inn is located in Mobile's second oldest house, built in 1836. Its interior and exterior finishes reflect the home's architectural vintage—from original heart pine flooring and custom-milled stairways, moldings, and window and door trim, to marble fireplace mantles, plaster walls, 12-foot ceilings and crystal chandeliers.


Although preservation efforts have restored many areas of town, it stands to reason that as old as the City of Mobile is, there still remains hundreds of dilapidated and blighted properties throughout the city. The Mobile Neighborhood Renewal Program, part of the New Plan for Mobile, is an expedited title act passed last year to put vacant and tax delinquent properties back on the tax roll, without red tape from state entities. This move by the city is intended to stimulate more active revitalization development and equip Mobile to continue to fare well in attracting job and population growth.


The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa


In downtown Mobile, The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa stands on the site of the old military headquarters set up by Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812. Opened in 1852, it enjoyed a long history of dominating the social scene in Mobile before it was closed for 33 years. A multi-million restoration was completed and the hotel was reopened in 2007. There is many a story to be told about the original paintings, domed ceiling and art glass. And tales of famous visitors are blended with legend and recited on the daily history tours.


The Richards DAR House Museum in the Italianate style, tells the story of Mobile during the antebellum period.


The Fort Conde Inn Before and After


Some of the mansions in Mobile's historic districts are now museums open for touring year round. If you plan a visit in mid-March during the annual Mobile Historic Homes Tour, you can view privately owned historic homes on display to the public. Dauphin Street is one of several historic districts offering a true delight for anyone interested in architecture. One of the principal streets in the new settlement of Mobile under the French was Dauphin, named for the son of Louis XIV. It was later called St. John or Galvez Street, but renamed Dauphin when the Americans took possession. During most of the 1800s, Mobile enjoyed prosperity as the second largest international seaport on the Gulf Coast. Progress was based upon the ascendancy of cotton as an export commodity, shipped downriver by flatboat or steamboat from cotton growing centers in Mississippi and Alabama. Sawed lumber also increased in importance. Dauphin Street acquired such a reputation for quality at this time that the slang phrase “Like walkin' down Dauphin Street” came to denote anything of exceptional quality. Many of its early structures had the straight lentels and dentil moulding of the Federal style, but after fire destroyed some of the older wooden buildings, the reconstruction period brought the acceptance of new building trends of the time including Italiante Style and cast iron facades. The last decades of the 19th century brought the Victorian Era and Revivalism.


For years it has been the intention of the City of Mobile to restore Fort Conde Village to its original splendor, but efforts by several developers had


20 GREATER DFW METROPLEX BUILDING SAVVY MAGAZINE IXII


Modern Mobile Bay derives more than half its annual wealth from industries dependent upon and directly allied with waterborne commerce. As the second largest natural gas reserve in the world, its oil and gas industry is also substantial. It has been noted as Best Cost Effectiveness for Small Cities, Best Mid-Sized Cities for Jobs, Top 15 Corporate Investments, American Cities Wooing Foreign Investment and Best Places in the South to Locate Your Company, helping it to draw other industries including aircraft manufacturing, maintenance and repair; chemical, cement and steel manufacturing and telecommunications.


Efforts by the City of Mobile sustain it as a treasure for history buffs interested in architecture and military or maritime history, but it has something for everyone… great food, world class golf, fishing, beaches, Alabama's finest resort properties, spas, water sports, and more. There's nothing like the Southern hospitality you'll find in Mobile! Visit www.mobilebay.org for more information.


For more information on driving the Blue Ridge Parkway and visiting Roanoke, visit www.SAVVYTrucksandToys.com. You'll find more information on Chateau Morrisette and attractions in Mobile at www.theSAVVYlist.com. These new websites are proudly brought to you by The SAVVY People, who also publish your favorite industry magazine!


SAVVY TRAVELS


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24