Around
the middle 1880’s, southern planters and entrepreneurs noted
the value of the region because of its strategic location in reference
to New Orleans and its intrinsic beauty. Portersville was born
and became known as, “the Coney Island of the South”.
Among the residents of the area were Peter Alba, Senator John Craft,
the Ledbetter family, the Galliard family, as well as many others.
Many of the homes of these families remain. During this period,
hotels blossomed along the seashore - the Rolston, the Oleander
and Villa Alba were a few of the names of these establishments.
Among visitors were the likes of Jefferson Davis and the Bankhead
family.
Mobile’s Mardi Gras revivalist, Joe Cain chose the area as his final home
and burial place. Mobilians’ love of Joe brought them to
dig him up and bring his remains to Mobile. Joe’s home
still stands in Coden. Many of Cain’s descendents live
in the area. Since the
hurricanes of 1906 and 1926 devastated the region Portersville
has become a forgotten paradise.
|