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the pontoon boat Osprey, spying alligators, successful in the U.S., eventually built a lodge Confederate troops seized possession of the
blue herons, various shore birds – maybe on the property, and his wife, Bessie, an avid fort in 1861, and the prospect of facing the
even a bald eagle – while retracing the route gardener and plant-lover, soon realized the powerful guns at Fort Gaines kept Union
naturalist William Bartram took in the 1770s open acres of land at her husband’s fshing forces at bay untl August of 1864, allowing
when he explored the delta. You can also rent camp were perfect for a variety of plants. Mobile Bay to serve as a key port for
a canoe or kayak and spend a few hours lazily The lodge eventually gave way to a blockade runners and Confederate warships
paddling the lower delta, or reserve an upper 15-room home designed by prominent untl nearly the end of the Civil War. But on
delta camping platorm on the Bartram Canoe Mobile architect George B. Rogers, who August 3rd, 1864, the Union feet of Admiral
Trail and make it an overnight stay – groups was also hired to lay out the frst gardens David Farragut assembled ofshore, touching
are welcome. Landlubbers can take a walk on the estate in the 1930s. Rogers took of what is remembered today as the Batle
on the Center’s nature trails and enjoy some meandering paths and added a backdrop of Mobile Bay. When the Union ironclad
of the area’s best bird watching without ever of tall camellias and azaleas, which he and U.S.S. Tecumseh steamed directly over a
leaving the grounds. With over 250,000 acres Mrs. Bellingrath collected from across the Confederate mine and went down with
of scenic waterways, woods and wetlands, Deep South. Fountains and waterfalls were almost all hands, the invading Union feet
the possibilites are endless. And for special installed and framed with English flagstone stalled directly under the guns of nearby
events, Delta Hall at 5 Rivers can be rented walkways, the stone obtained from old city Fort Morgan, promptng Farragut to give his
for groups of up to 300 – watching the sun set sidewalks in Mobile where they had been famed command, “Damn the torpedoes. Full
over Mobile Bay on the veranda overlooking in place since arriving as ballast in English speed ahead!”
Sardine Pass is an unforgetable experience; if sailing vessels collecting loads of cotton a After a bloody and intense 5-day
you’re at the right angle you can see the spire century earlier. battle, the Union prevailed, and on August
of downtown Mobile’s Batle House Tower 8th Colonel Charles Anderson surrendered
poking above the seagrass. The Gardens frst opened to the public Fort Gaines and its 800 men. Now almost
in 1932, when a natonal garden club
GARDENS AND GAINES meetng happened to be taking place in completely restored, the fort contains the
A short jaunt south of Mobile on the west Mobile. The Bellingraths placed an ad in the original cannons used in the battle, five
side of the bay brings you to a couple of Mobile paper announcing that anyone who pre-Civil War brick buildings in the interior
must-see outdoor destnatons – Bellingrath would like to see the spring garden could courtyard, an operational blacksmith
do so free of charge. Afer an overwhelming shop and kitchens, tunnel systems to the
fortified corner bastions and a museum.
engaging venues response, the couple decided to keep the The site is considered one of the best-
gardens open year-round, beginning in 1934.
preserved Civil War-era masonry forts
Today the house and gardens on the and has been nominated for listing as a
65-acre property offer a meandering maze National Historic Landmark.
Bellingrath Gardens of breathtaking plants, flowers, stone
www.bellingrath.org/ features, greenhouses and walkways. In a way, there’s no more perfect place
Center for the Living Arts The home, complete with its original to end a short escape to Mobile Bay – a
place like Fort Gaines, where geography and
www.centreforthelivingarts.com/about/ furnishings and Mrs. Bellingrath’s traditon merge so seamlessly. An historic
rentals/ extensive collection of decorative arts, is guardian of all that Mobile is and represents,
a wonder in itself, its 10,500 square feet
Mobile Carnival Museum a testament to what architect George watching over its positon, pursuits and
www.mobilecarnivalmuseum.com/ passions for nearly 200 years.
Rogers dubbed “English Renaissance.” The
USS Alabama Batleship Magnolia Room at
www.ussalabama.com Bellingrath Gardens, meandering in mobile
as well as parts of the
Wintzell’s Oyster House Gardens themselves,
www.wintzellsoysterhouse.com/catering/
are available for • 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center
receptions and other www.outdooralabama.com/outdoor-adventures/5rivers/
special events.
Gardens and Fort Gaines. Both are Another few miles • Fort Gaines MAXIMIZE YOUR BIZ
within biking distance of downtown for down the road, where www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fortgainesal.html
experienced riders – around 20 miles each the Dauphin Island SAVE THE DATE: OCTOBER 14-16
way to Bellingrath Gardens and twice that to Parkway ends at the • Mobile Bike Trails
Dauphin Island and Fort Gaines, making it a Gulf of Mexico, stands www.mobileunited.org/MU_trails.php
great day trip. Fort Gaines, which has Get ready for IMEX America—the show that delivers more business, inspiration
Bellingrath Gardens were created by guarded the entrance • Mobile Bay Conventon & Visitors Bureau and global connections every year. Catch the momentum and count on new
www.mobile.org/
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bellingrath on property to Mobile Bay since opportunities at the largest meetings industry trade show in the U.S.
frst purchased as a fshing camp in 1917. The it was established • Mobile Parks and Facilites Mark your calendar now for all-out business in October.
story goes that Walter Bellingrath’s physician, in 1821. The fort htp://cityofmobile.org/parks/parklist.php
Dr. Paul McGehee, determined that Walter occupies the eastern
was a workaholic and needed to “learn how tp of Dauphin Island, • Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
to play.” Bellingrath, who owned the Mobile where it commands www.traillink.com/city/mobile-al-trails.aspx
Coca-Cola Botling Company, one of the most panoramic views of the imexamerica.com the pulse of the meetings industry.
bay and Gulf of Mexico.

22 SHORT ESCAPES SHORT ESCAPES 23

Publication: Short Escapes Size: 8.375 x 10.875” Job#:773-4044 Run Date: May 2014 Dana Communications 609.466.9187