Blakeley
From Alabama's Largest City to Ghost Town
In the 1820s, Blakeley was one of the most promising cities in Alabama. A bustling port town that briefly surpassed Mobile in population. Today it stands silent within Historic Blakeley State Park, preserved as one of America's most significant ghost towns and Civil War battlefields.
The Rise of a Port City
Founded in 1813 by Josiah Blakeley, this town on the Tensaw River was chartered just a year later. With its deep natural port, Blakeley was perfectly positioned for commerce. By the 1820s, it had become one of Alabama's largest cities, the Baldwin County seat, and a serious commercial rival to Mobile. Merchants, traders, and settlers flocked to the town, building homes, businesses, and the infrastructure of a thriving community.
The Yellow Fever Curse
Blakeley's prosperity was cut short by yellow fever epidemics in 1822, 1826, and 1828. Each outbreak drove more residents away. Unlike Mobile, which could absorb such losses due to its larger size and more established economy, Blakeley never recovered. By the eve of the Civil War, only a few dozen families remained.
The Last Major Battle of the Civil War
On April 9, 1865, the same day General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, the Battle of Fort Blakeley raged in Alabama. Union forces of 16,000 soldiers under Major General Edward R. S. Canby attacked 3,000-4,000 Confederate defenders. The final assault lasted only about 30 minutes, but it was fierce and decisive. Among the Union forces were approximately 5,000 African-American soldiers of the United States Colored Troops (USCT), making this one of the largest engagements involving Black soldiers in the entire war.
Timeline
- 1813 - Founding Josiah Blakeley founded the town on the Tensaw River
- 1820 - County Seat Became the Baldwin County seat
- 1822-1828 - Yellow Fever Epidemics devastated population
- 1865 - Battle of Fort Blakeley Last major Civil War battle, same day as Lee's surrender
- 1868 - County Seat Moved Government relocated to Daphne
Photos
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: Spring and fall (mild weather, annual reenactments in April)
Difficulty: Easy
Time Needed: 2-3 hours
Admission: Park entry fee applies
What to See
- Miles of intact Confederate and Union earthworks from 1865
- Foundations of the original courthouse and jail
- Ghost structures representing 1820s homes and businesses
- 3,800 acres of wilderness with hiking trails
Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes for exploring earthworks
- Bring water and insect repellent
- Download the park map before visiting
- Check for Civil War reenactment dates in April
Quick Facts
- Briefly surpassed Mobile as Alabama's largest city in the 1820s
- The Battle of Fort Blakeley was fought the same day Lee surrendered at Appomattox
- 5,000 African-American soldiers (USCT) participated in the final assault
- Historic Blakeley State Park is the largest National Register Historic Site in the eastern US
- Yellow fever epidemics, not the Civil War, initially caused Blakeley's decline
Location
Address: Historic Blakeley State Park, 34745 AL-225, Spanish Fort, AL 36527
Coordinates: 30.7308, -87.9167