Mobile: The City by the Bay Trivia Quiz

Answer: False

Mobile was explored by many Spanish explorers, beginning in the very early 1500s, but did not become a city until 1702 when Mobile was designated as the capital of French Louisiana. The city was founded by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville as the first capital of the French controlled territory under the command of Bienville's brother Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville.

Answer: Fort Conde

Fort Conde was constructed by the French to protect the city of Mobile against attach by the British or Spanish who were eager to occupy the city. As Mobile was ruled by the English or Spanish, the name of the fort would change. The British called the fort Fort Charlotte and when Spain ruled Mobile, they changed the name to Fort Carlota.

Answer: Treaty of Paris

The Treaty of Paris essentially ended the American Revolutionary War between the United Stated and Great Britain in 1783. The war was ceased by separate treaties and agreements between other participants. The Treaty of Paris ceded East and West Florida to Spain, and Mobile was included as part of West Florida by this agreement. Later, in 1810, the Republic of West Florida became an independent territory, and Mobile was included.

In 1813, the Republic of West Florida became part of the United States, thus allowing Mobile to officially be part of the United States. Up until this time, Mobile had been ruled by the French, Spanish and the British. This treaty is NOT to be confused with any of the other several treaties which were signed in Paris, particularly the 1763 Treaty of Paris which ended the French and Indian War.

Answer: The Union captured much of the Mobile Bay and surrounding area from the Confederate States.

If you've ever heard the expression "Damn the torpedoes", then you have heard the battle cry of Union Admiral David Farragut as he worked his way through the Confederate States' defenses in order to secure the Mobile Bay stronghold. It is often cited that the Union claiming Mobile Bay and the city of Atlanta are major factors which led to the Union claiming victory of the Civil War.

Answer: University of South Alabama

The University of South Alabama, or USA as it's often called, was established in May of 1963 by the Alabama Legislature. Classes started in 1964. The school is one of the largest employers in the city of Mobile and is the largest University in the area. There are approximately 15,000 students attending the school during each session, typically.

Answer: U.S.S. Alabama

The U.S.S. Alabama is a South Dakota class battleship which saw active duty in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans during World War II. She was commissioned in 1942 and then decommissioned in 1947 where she saw time as a naval reserve training vessel. The ship was placed in Mobile Bay in 1964 where she has been open to the public as a museum ever since.

Answer: Frank Robinson

In addition to Aaron, Smith and Mays, Satchel Paige and Billy Williams were also born in Alabama (all n Mobile except for Mays). Frank Robinson was born in Beaumont, Texas. Mobile, Alabama has been the birthplace to other pro baseball players such as Tommie Aaron, Juan Pierre, Terry Adams, Mark Woodyard and Jake Peavy.

Answer: Checkers

Checkers was a popular hamburger restaurant founded in Mobile in 1986. The restaurant was an instant success as folks lined up to try the alternative to more established burger chains. Everyone loved the new style French fries with the spicy coating on the outside with the tender potato on the inside.

The food chain moved their headquarters to Tampa, FL eventually, but Checkers remains a favorite for Mobilians looking for a good burger.

Answer: Frederic

The destruction caused by Hurricane Frederic was tremendous, over two billion dollars in fact. Approximately 90% of Mobile was without electricity and many homes were completely destroyed. At the time, Frederic was the costliest hurricane ever to hit the United States. Due to the extensive damage, the name Frederic has been retired.

Answer: Winston Groom

Winston Grooom may have been in Washington D.C., but his roots are in Mobile, Alabama. His story of Forrest Gump's life was quite successful, but when Tom Hanks took the role to the big screen, it became absolutely epic. Winston Groom wrote a sequel to "Forrest Gump" titled "Gump & Co." which tells the story of Forrest and his son where the original story left off.