You will find a warm welcome awaiting you in our historic community on the banks of the nationally renowned Mobile-Tensaw Delta, where hunting, fishing, boating, and other water recreation abounds. You will also find parks and campgrounds; historics sites and markers; historic homes, churches, and other structures; quaint villages aglow with azaleas, camellias, dogwoods and honeysuckle; vast forests and timberlands; clean industry; excellent restaurants and lodging facilities; fine schools and several community college campus sites; medical, nursing, and wellness facilities; the Dominion's very first farm winery; a resort with the best overall golf course in West Florida rated by Golf Digest; and fun events for the entire family! Experience our southern hospitality first hand. Come again and again!
Baldwin folks are rural, friendly, and happy to welcome visitors and growth! Here are a few sites of interest for you to check out while you're in the area.
1. William Weatherford "Red Eagle" Park/Grave-
William Weatherford, born April 28, 1780 near modern Montgomery, was the son of Sehoy III, Princess of the Wind Clan. During the Indian Wars of 1812-1814, he became "Red Eagle", leader of the Red Stick Creeks, and led the battle against Fort Mimms on August 30, 1813. He died in 1824, and was burried beside his mother. In 1991, the Barony of Baldwin dedicated the site as William Weatherford Memorial Park. Picnic tables on site, which is eligible for the National Register.
2. David Moniac-Driesbach House, c. early 1800s-
Major David Moniac, nephew of William Weatherford, was the first Indian to attend and graduate West Point Military Academy.Married to Osceola's cousin,Moniac died in a Seminole battle at Wahoo Swamp in Florida. This Private residence was built by Moniac. The house was later owned by Josephine Bonaparte Tate Driesbach, a relative.
3. David Tate Plantation Site and Frank Earle House-
Private residence, circa early 1800s, at old Montpelier, now Blacksher, is reported site where Andrew Jackson resigned his military commission after defeating the British at New Orleans, before he became president of the U.S. and banished the Indians to the Trail of Tears.
4. Cantonment Montpelier, 1817-1821 site-
After the Battle of Fort Mimms, Barracks were built nearby for bivouacs and training at David Tate's plantation.
5. Montgomery Hill Baptist Church, c. 1854-
Oldest Church in the barony of Baldwin, the original building was constructed in the Greek Revival style with wooden pegs, at a cost of $1400, is one story with a slave gallery. Square nails were added later for strength. Original front door key is kept in artifact case at front of building; pews still in use are the original pine board seats. On National Register.
6. Fort Montgomery Site, 1814-
Brick military hospital built near Fort Mimms and Fort Pierce by Thomas Hart Benton (1782-1858), and named for Maj. Lemuel Purnell Montgomery, who was killed at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend while serving under Benton and Jackson.
7. Mimms-Warren House, c. 1820-1840-
This private residence, the oldest staning house in the Barony of Baldwin, was built by David Mimms, son of Samuel Mimms, who built the Fort Mimms stockade in 1813 to ward off Indians. General Andrew Jackson's wife, Rachel spent time here.
8. Fort Pierce and Pierce Mills Site, c. 1789-1811-
Enclosed durring the Creek Indian Wars with a mile of stockade pickets,this site contained cotton gins, sawmills, gristmill, and slaughter house but suffered greatly durring the wars. Also the site of the first public school in West Florida, a "Blab School" begun in 1799 by John Pierce. Just imagine the variety of languages at the settlement: French, Spanish, English, and a variety of Indian tongues, all blabbing away!
9. Aaron Burr Spring Site, c. 1807-
While transferring for trial in Richmond, the murderous Vice President of the U.S., accompanied by his party, traveled through Tensawand were guests of Samuel Mimms after stoping for water and rest at this spring on Boatyard Lake.
10. Historic Fort Mimms Memorial Park-
Site of the 1813 massacre of settlers by indians, the most brutal in North American History, reportedly taking over 500 lives. This Historic five cre site with picnic pavalion, near boatyard Lake, is a milestone in West Floridian history.
11. Historic Bartram Canoe Trail-
Bartram Canoe Trail was established in 1976 to mark the water route traveled by William Bartram durring his visits to the Barony of Baldwin. This 20 mile Tensaw River trail through our magnificent Mobile-Tensaw Delta, runs from Hubbard's Landing on the north to Live Oak Landing on the south. There is no white water, just those remarkable sylvan scenes so well described and recorded by William Bartram in 1778.
12. Bottle Creek Indian Mound site, c. 1200-1600-
An important Mississippian complex and villiage site containing 18 Indian Mounds, Mound Island is located in the middle of the vast Mobile-Tensaw Delta, accessible only by boat. The largest temple Mound complex in West Florida.
13. Perdido Winery and Vineyards-
West Florida's first farm winery: vineyards established 1972, winery 1979. Features a gift shop with wine varieties,coolers, juices, jellies, and vinegars; also free "wine tasting tours" from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Saturday. They produce native Muscadine and Scuppernong grapes whith high levels of antioxidants that are proven to be good for one's health.
14. Historic Blakeley Park-
Encompasses the largest National Register site east of the Mississippi River (3800 acres). It was once home to a prehistoric Indian civilazation, to an early French and Appalachee Indian Settlement (c. 1704-1765), to a Federal style seaport town created as a direct result of the War of 1812, and finally to the last major battle of the American Civil War. Blakeley was also the second seat of government for the Barony of Baldwin from 1820-1868. Visitors can view 5 1/2 miles of Civil War fortifications throughout the park, hike down to the Tensaw River and view plants and wildlife of the Delta.
15. Spanish Fort Historical Marker-
First settled in 1779; a final major battle of the American Civil War was fought at Spanish Fort in 1865.
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Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" is performed each May at the Old Monroe County Courthouse Well-known residents have included: Local festivals include: Colleges and universities: Alabama Southern Community College |
| More colleges info
Support for libraries: Local government funding for the local library system, in fiscal years 2001-2002, was below the national average. (See library links below.) |
| Listed places in Monroeville: |
| Colleges (1) Hotels (4) Libraries (1) Museums (1) Newspapers (1) |
