The city of Bayou La Batre – pronounced “by-lush-ba-tree” by the locals – is located along the Mississippi Sound of the Gulf of Mexico. You are welcomed by beautiful century oaks when driving into Bayou La Batre town.
The history of Bayou La Batre has strong French ties but is traced back to the 1700s when settlers petitioned for a piece of land for the king of Spain. This was the first permanent settlement on the south Mobile County mainland. In the 1800s and early 1900s, Bayou La Batre became known as a resort town with medicinal spring water. This thriving resort brought in tourists from Mobile via the railroad. The beach was lined until 1906 when a hurricane destroyed the area and ended tourist visits.
Now Bayou La Batre is known as the Seafood Capital of Alabama. The area was showcased on Discovery Channel in a TV series, Big Shrimpin’, featuring shrimpers
from Bayou La Batre and boats made in town.
Ships worldwide have been built in Bayou La Batre, including oil supply boats, work boats, barges, tugboats, and boats for the U.S. government and movies. Bayou La Batre is recognized worldwide for having award-winning shipbuilders. The Black Pearl ship in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl was secretly built for Disney in Bayou La Batre.
The city was also mentioned in the film Forrest Gump. Bayou La Batre was Bubba’s home and Forrest Gump’s home for a time when he was a shrimp boat captain.
Events are held in Bayou La Batre annually to celebrate the rich culture. Be sure to add a visit here while exploring Alabama’s Coastal Connection Scenic Byway.