Posted in Alabama August 09, 2016 by Jennifer

12 Things You Probably Didn’t Already Know About Mobile, Alabama

Mobile is a wonderful Alabama city filled with great history and amazing attractions, including several state-of-the-art museums that people from near and far come to visit. Mobile is also Alabama’s only saltwater port.

Listed below are 12 facts about Mobile that just might surprise you.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/

1. In 1703, Mobile was home to the first Mardi Gras celebration in the New World. This was long before Mardi Gras was celebrated in New Orleans.

2. Before switching to MoonPies in the 1970s, Mobilians used to throw boxes of Cracker Jack from their floats during the Mardi Gras parade.

3. Mobile was first settled in 1702, which was 117 years before Alabama became a state.

4. In 2006, one of the first ever videos to go viral on YouTube was shot in Mobile, Alabama. It was the newscast that featured the sighting of the Crichton Leprechaun.

5. According to National Geographic, Mobile, Alabama is one of the best places to live in the U.S.

6. In 1963, Alabama schoolchildren were able to raise enough money to have the historic USS Alabama moved from Seattle, Washington to Mobile, Alabama.

7. Mobile, Alabama receives more rain than Seattle, Washington.

8. Mobile's famous Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception took 15 years to build.

9. The red fire ant was first introduced to the U.S. during the 1930s, through the Port of Mobile.

10. Surprisingly, the West Indies Salad was invented in Mobile, Alabama and not in the West Indies.

11. The Mobile Press-Register was founded in 1813 and is Alabama's oldest active newspaper.

12. Mobile has a variety of nicknames, including "The Port City," "Azalea City" and "The City of Six Flags."

Did any of these facts surprise you? What are some other facts about Mobile that many people might not know about? For other fun facts about Alabama that might surprise you, check out our previous article: Here Are 12 Things They Don’t Teach You About Alabama In School.