History Museum of Mobile recognizes
pre-British American 'age of exploration'

​By Miguel Pérez

As you leave historic Fort Condé in Mobile, Alabama, as if you haven't seen enough history for one day, across the street, it's hard to miss the impressive building that houses the Mobile History Museum, where Hispanic roots are even deeper.

While Fort Condé's history goes back to 1723, the museum's exhibits go much further back in time, to the pre-British American "age of exploration."

 "The Spanish were the first Europeans to explore the Gulf Coast," one exhibit explains. "Around 1519, Alonso Alvarez de Pineda sailed into a large bay he identified (perhaps from earlier maps) as 'Bahia del Espirito Santo' — probably the first European sighting of Mobile Bay."

En español: Museo de Historia de Mobile reconoce la 'era de exploración' estadounidense prebritánica

Here you learn that nearly 40 years after Mobile Bay was first sighted by Alvarez de Pineda, the next European contact with Mobile Bay was also Spanish. “In 1558 another Spaniard, Guido de la Bazares, sailed into and was the first to describe Mobile Bay, naming it “Bahia De Filipina,” after Spain’s King Philip II, another exhibit explains. "The features he recorded are still recognizable today."

In fact, Bizares was scouting the Gulf Coast for a much larger expedition that was to come from Mexico one year later to establish the first Spanish settlement on what is now the U.S. mainland, even before St. Augustine! That expedition of 11 ships led by explorer Tristan de Luna, came in 1559, settled in what is today Pensacola, Fl., and was quickly wiped out by a powerful hurricane that probably changed the course of American history. (We will visit the "Plaza De Luna" in Pensacola very soon).​

​The History Museum of Mobile also recognizes the Hernando De Soto expedition (starting in 1539) "through what is now the southeastern U.S. to the Mississippi River and beyond," although it places great emphasis on the damage caused by the expedition. "He hoped to find gold and claim it for Spain," an exhibit explains. "Instead, his men accidentally brought terrible “Old World” troubles — smallpox and other epidemic diseases to the New World's population. Having no immunities or medical protection, Native Americans were easily infected and died by the thousands.”

​The museum uses mannequins to showcase the attire worn by Spanish explorers in the southeast United States in the 16th century. (See photo). "Designed for ease of movement and protection in battle," the exhibit says, "typical clothing pieces included: Morion helmet, leather shirt, leather doublet jacket, metal breast plate, leather breeches (pants), Sir Henry thigh boots, and Spanish era pike (weapon)."

Another mannequin wears the attire of Choctaw hunters of the 18th century, showing that the "Native Americans of the southeast wore deerskin disguises to stalk and kill deer for food and clothing."

​​And yet another exhibit features a model of a Spanish caravel and explains that it was the typical ship used by Spanish explorers in the 16th century, "because it was small, fast, and highly maneuverable . . . able to explore up river in shallow coastal waters."

​In the 18th century, the Mobile area was ruled by rotating world powers. It was French territory until 1763, British until 1780, and then Spanish until 1813, when it became American. The exhibits here explain how life in Mobile was changed by its rotating rulers. ​"The Spanish restored some of the Mobile social customs that had been interrupted by 17 years of British rule," another exhibit explains. "Catholicism once again became the official religion, and previous laws of inheritance were restored. Creoles of mixed blood became a distinct and legally recognized class . . . "Free People of Color” made up about five percent of Mobile’s population during Spanish rule."

Obviously, Mobile has much more Spanish history than most people know! And the same goes for Pensacola, Florida, our next destination. ​​​

​But before we leave Alabama, I intend to go to Mobile Bay and celebrate our Hispanic heritage by shouting: "Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead." Do you know why? Stay tuned!