Fun Facts about Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama

Want to know a little more about the Alabama Gulf Coast? The locals here will tell you there’s always something new to learn, as well as some little-known historical facts that make Gulf Shores and Orange Beach unique and beautiful beaches. Here are some of our favorite fun facts about these lovely Alabama beaches:

1. “Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead!” is a famous phrase coined from Admiral David Farragut. He made this command during the Battle of Mobile Bay, just off the shores of Fort Morgan.
2. The State of Alabama bought Fort Morgan in 1927 for $8,000.
3. The Ferris Wheel at The Warf is the second largest Ferris wheel in the Southeast and stands an incredible 112 feet.
4. The sparkling white sand on these beaches comes from the quartz that filtered down through the Appalachian Mountains thousands of years ago.
5. The Hurricane of 1906 deposited a lot of minerals into the soil, making it extremely fertile. Farmers were able to grow cabbages weighing 15-20 pounds each, and sweet potatoes the size of buckets!
6. Orange Beach was named after the locals who attempted to grow oranges, satsuma, and grapefruit trees on the shores. Their success was short-lived.
7. There’s plenty of room for everyone to sail, stroll, and snorkel along these beaches, as they are about 32 miles long!
8. Alabama is proud to have the most extensive artificial reef program in the United States and currently has over 17,000 artificial reefs off its coast.
9. Lake Shelby, located in Gulf State Park, is thought to be one of the closest bodies of fresh water next to a body of saltwater anywhere in the world.
10. Argh, Matey! Did you know that pirates used to hide in Perdido Bay and Perdido Pass to raid ships? It’s said that they may have even buried some of their booty in Baldwin County.
11. Baldwin County is the largest of all of Alabama’s counties and is even larger than the state of Rhode Island!
12. There are Native American mounds located in Baldwin county that are said to be older than the pyramids of Egypt.
13. Orange Beach and Gulf Shores offer a plethora of outdoor family activities, such as recreational centers with basketball and tennis courts, dolphin cruises, golf courses, boating, paddleboarding, and much more.
14. This is a great area to do some fishing in! Rock Bottom Charters has a service area in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores to serve you better so you (and your family and friends) can have the fishing trip of a lifetime!

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and they’re just waiting to be explored!

*Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, it’s crucial to practice social distancing and isolation to flatten the curve. So while you may have to wait to revisit the beaches, they’ll still be there, more pristine and beautiful than ever, after this is all over!