House rental in Dauphin Island, Alabama - Dauphin Island Vacation Rental - On the Gulf Of Mexico, Spectacular Home! - Property 183410

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Early Dauphin Island History: Dauphin Island! The Island is a subtropical Barrier Island situated three miles off the Alabama coast, 35 miles to the south of Mobile , and 120 miles to the east of New Orleans.Over A millennium before the first Europeans landed, prehistoric Native Americans enjoyed the endless supply of shellfish and seafood. The Indian Shell Mounds ,constructed over 1500 years ago by the Mound Builder culture, is lasting Testament to Native American long -term occupancy and usage of the Island. In 1519 the Spanish Explorer was the first documented European to visit. The Island's modern history began when the French explorer D'Iberville landed on the Island in 1699.Calling the Island Massacre Isle (because of human bones found on the Island) became the first capital of the French Louisiana Territory in 1700.The Island went between the Spanish and British and finally American forces captured the Island in 1813.Fort Gaines was begun in 1821 and completed in 1848,occupied by the Confederate troops

Dauphin Island : In 1837, $10,000 was authorized for Alabama's first and only seacost light Completed in 1838, the light, standing 55 feet could be seen 13 to 15 miles at night. A new tower was required by 1856 and the magnificent tower at Sand Island was first lighted in January 1859. Two years later it was blasted into the water by confederate soldiers because yankee's were caught spying from the tower. In Sept. 1873 the Sand Island Lighthouse was again in operation.( 125ft. brick tower). The Indian Shell Mounds, and Dauphin Island in general are renowned 'hotspots' for observing neotropical migrant birds. The Island is the first point of land encountered by migrants during their spring migration across the Gulf of Mexico. The entire Island is a bird sanctuary. Tourism activities include boating,fishing,camping,swimming,shopping,cycling and birding. Be sure to visit Ft. Gaines and the Estarium, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab's new Marine Educational Center & Aquarium!

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