What Happened to Mobile Alabama's Millionaire's Row?

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Discover the opulent past of Mobile, Alabama's Millionaire's Row in this captivating short video. Take a stroll through history and witness the grandeur of the mansions that line this picturesque avenue, once home to some of the wealthiest families in the country. From intricate architecture to fascinating stories of the people who lived there, this video will transport you back in time to a bygone era of luxury and extravagance

Location: Mobile Alabama

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Screenshots from: Google Earth
Assets from: Envato Elements
Music form Epidemic Sound

[claudiamann]

I'm so glad that a few of these beautiful mansions still survive. Much better than the office buildings. That Queen Anne was just incredible.

[gvs]

Mobile Bay is one of the most underrated regions in the nation. Rich in culture, stunning architecture, massive sugar-sand beaches and some of the best seafood in the world!

[elizabeths]

I live in Mobile and my family has been here a very long time (my grandmother was born in 1895). Mobile is a beautiful city. There is history everywhere you look. The best places, though, are the out of the way hidden gems you would only know if you grew up here. Thanks for the video!

[joeseeking]

I stayed on Government Street last April, more or less across the street from Raphael Semmes house. Airbnb in a 1920's apartment building - a very large, charming unit with big front terrace, sandwiched between a restored huge frame privately owned Queen Anne hodge podge and a decrepit similar one with work being done. There's commercial stuff on Government, but the street itself is still pretty this near downtown - which itself is beautiful. I found Mobile very enchanting - lots of history, lots of charm, a little faded - maybe. And there's even more to see if you've got a car. Home for me is a large Mid-Atlantic city and I don't have 'southern' politics at all - but I highly recommend Mobile.

[IntriguedLioness]

I have been privileged to see mansions from Newport and the Hudson River Valley to Sam Simeon, and of the different styles of architecture in the United States I appreciate the deep south architecture of most.

There are many cultural and architectural similarities between the south and Britain. I grew up in what would be considered a manor house in a former British territory, and the hot weather combined with British architecture created all of the transoms, high cove ceilings, and even the ventilation that is similar to these.

Obviously built before air-conditioning and they were so many features that helps with the heat and I see that in some of these buildings.

Great video! Thank you!

[TheCaffeinatedOrganist]

During the civil war, Mobile was the 4th largest city in the confederacy behind New Orleans, Charleston, & Richmond. It’s always been a center of culture and wealth.

[muyleche_]

Growing up, the ‘apartment building’ I grew up in was one of these mansions where each ‘room’ was turned into a 2 bed/2 bath apartment. Really cool to hear about some of its history

[cannonw]

I learned a few new things about my hometown.
I found fascinating the history of Government Street.

[TheSWalks]

Growing up in South Louisiana, Mobile was the town you passed through on the way to Florida. (Unless you stopped to see the USS Alabama.) Thank you for doing this video - I will spend more time in Mobile next time I'm in the area.

[xantippenarda]

Thank you for this video. I live in the Old Dauphinway Historic District and I love driving along Government Street looking at the grander homes. City was slow to grow because the wealthy businessmen who ran the city at the time turned down opportunities in order to keep the city small enough for them to continue to control. With our unique combination of 2 major interstate highways, commercial railroad and commercial airport intersecting, we could have been a larger and more significant seaport city. Current politicians and business community trying to play catchup now in attracting new ventures' moderate success...

[donnaw]

The 1723 star fort is my favorite. This is because it is making me more aware and appreciative that America had forts that large. Then I love how the bricks were resused to pave the streets. The mansions were very beautiful too but the fort is the most special to me.

[crustycurmudgeon]

I live in Mobile, and I'm quite familiar with all you showed. Back in the '70s, many homes along Government blvd were beyond restoration and were being torn down (after stripping all the fancy woodwork and moldings from the interiors). You could buy this stuff for a song-- it was a crazy time. Meanwhile, many of the Queen Anne homes a block South of Gov't blvd were offered up for auction for rehabilitation (along with a monetary offer, you had to have a clear plan for restoration with your bid). These auctions were very informal, and usually over in about 15 minutes-- seems the winning bidders were chosen according to who bid, very disappointing for a young guy in his 20's (me). Anyway, most of these homes were, in fact, fully restored and much improved. Mobile has a rich, varied and sometimes troubled history. The "good ol' boy" network is in charge, and breaking into that clique is impossible without family history in the area. Not much has changed since the '70s, other than the sons of those at the top, are now in charge.

[lizlittle]

I loved all the houses. My in-laws lived there in Mobile before they passed away. My brother-in-laws still live there. I love visiting.

[BanBiofuels]

The Brigalow designed house is very much in the prairie school tradition. The addition of a big front porch makes it even better.

[roncbrady]

Any one who is interested in the Historical Homes Genre will enjoy your content as you do well, your research to present a full and intriguing story line. Very attractive and intertaining. Excellent job!!!

[jamesslick]

Finally, a "This House" video about..Mobile Homes. 😜🤦‍♂️I'll see myself out.

[jancoley]

You left out many more old mansions that still exists today on Government Street. Also many on Dauphin Street, and Springhill Ave. etc.

[wrexhamman]

Hi Ken, I watch from the UK and really enjoy your channel👍

[JillianVSJill]

And I love riding in that area during Christmas the decorations be soo gorgeous

[dianacanales]

That beautiful Victorian is stunning! Would be lovely to see some of the interior. Thank you for sharing some of the archival photos that were available. It's too bad more of the grand old homes weren't photographed before they were demolished. Preserving their history is important work, and you do a great job, Ken. Thank-you.