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Carnival/Mobile Mardi Gras Timeline
1703
It is believed that a limited version of Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is celebrated at Twenty-Seven Mile Bluff, the first Mobile settlement. The day is celebrated with feasting and drinking.
1711
The celebration of Mardi Gras continues at the present site of Mobile as residents join together in song, food, and dance. The “Boeuf Gras Society,” meaning fat beef, is founded and a large, papier-mache bull’s head is reportedly paraded down Dauphin Street on an ox-drawn cart.
1826
According to Section 7 of City of Mobile Ordinance 4 titled “An Ordinance to establish a City Watch and to regulate the duties of Watchmen,” no ball, dance, or assemblage of people of color will be permitted within the City unless the person or persons at whose house activity is intended to take place first obtains a license from the Mayor or of the Alderman. No license will be granted passed one o’clock in the morning.
1830
Michael Krafft in Mobile establishes America’s first organized and masked Carnival Society, “The Cowbellion de Rakin Society.” On December 31, 1830, Krafft and six of his friends “borrow” rakes, bells, hoes, and pitchforks from a local hardware store and parade through the streets of Mobile until the early hours of New Years Day. The “Cowbellions’” costumes are made in France and delivered by ship to Mobile.
1837
Members of the “Cowbellion de Rakin Society” introduce “throws” to the parade crowd. Cobellians throw sugar plumbs, kisses, and oranges to the crowd.
1839
Michael Krafft, founder of the “Cowbellion de Rakin Society,” dies from yellow fever at Pascagoula, Mississippi.
1840
The Cowbellion De Rakin Society introduces “horse-drawn” rather than “person-pulled” floats and the practice of having a general parade theme portrayed by the individual floats. This first theme was “Heathen Gods and Goddesses.”
1843
The “Strikers Independent Society” (S. I. S.) is founded. Young men in Mobile who had been refused membership in the Cowbellion de Rakin Society, which had been formed by “more sedate and astute men of the city” in 1830, form the organization. In the early years, this is a bachelor only society. If members marry, they are out of the society. The Strikers, like the Cowbellions, parade on New Years Eve and have their ball on New Year’s Day.
Section 10 of the City Charter Act titled “An Act to enable the Corporate Authorities of the City of Mobile to Provide for the Security and Payment of the Debts of Said City, and for other Purposes,” states that corporate authorities have the power to lay a tax on any public balls, shows, exhibitions, theatrical entertainments, and other amusements. The tax amount charged will be fixed and determined by the Mayor and Board of Alderman.
1845
A Mobile City Ordinance prohibits free blacks and slaves from holding balls at their place of residence. While not specifying Carnival balls, the ordinance most likely includes the Carnival celebration. This restriction does not include Creoles in Mobile, who hold a separate and distinct status in American society as written in the 1803 Treaty of Paris (Louisiana Purchase).
1850
“The Determined Set,” or “Tea Drinker’s Society” (T. D. S.) is founded.
Joseph Ellison, a Mobile Cowbellion, is one of six Mobilians to move to New Orleans and organize the Crescent City’s first mystic societies. Ellison forms “The Mystick Krewe of Comus.” Sidney Smith, the son of a Striker, organizes the “Twelfth Night Revelers” in 1870. Lewis Weems, a member of the Tea Drinker’s Society, helps organize the “Veiled Prophets of Saint Louis.”
1852
The “Strikers” (S. I. C.) are the first mystic society to hold a ball at the new Battle House Hotel.
1861
The “Boeuf Gras Society,” founded in 1711, is disbanded as many of its young members go off to fight for the Confederacy in the Civil War.
1864
As a result of the Battle of Mobile Bay, the city of Mobile cancels the celebration of Carnival to recuperate and concentrate on the defense of the city from Union troop attack.
1866
Joseph Stilwell Cain revives Mardi Gras in Mobile after the Civil War. In open defiance of Union occupation troops in Mobile, Cain and sixteen other men dress up like Chickasaw Indians and drive a charcoal wagon through the city streets. The Chickasaw Indians were never defeated in battle. Cain proclaims himself “Chief Slackabamorinico” and with his band of “Lost Cause Minstrels” declares an end to war-born depression and a return to the “fundamental patterns of pre-war life.” Cain’s parade is an “insider” practical joke on the United States occupying army, to tell the people of Mobile that they may be defeated, but they were not wiped out.
According to Section 37 of the City of Mobile ordinance titled “An Ordinance to regulate and prohibit Balls, Bells, Drums, Fire Crackers, Rockets, and Kites,” it is unlawful for any person to give or hold any masked or public ball, or any party where immoral or disorderly persons may gather within the city, unless written consent of the mayor is given.
1867
Mobile’s oldest Mardi Gras society, the “Order of Myths,” (O. O. M’s) is founded.
The celebration of Carnival in Mobile expands to include Mardi Gras Day.
John Gus Hines begins designing parades for Mobile’s Mardi Gras celebrations. Hines becomes known as the “Father of Mobile Mardi Gras Parades” and continues to be active in this capacity until 1924.
1868
The “O. O. M’s” parade on “Fat Tuesday” or Mardi Gras Day, while the “Cowbellians,” “T. D. S,” and “Strikers” continue to parade on New Year’s Eve.
1869
The “Infant Mystics” are founded and they parade on Mardi Gras Day.
1872
The Royal Court tradition begins in Mobile as Daniel E. Huger is crowned “Emperor Felix I.”
Thomas Cooper DeLeon organizes the first Mobile Carnival Association and other prominent Mobilians linked to Mardi Gras in the Port City. The MCA is created to coordinate the events of Mardi Gras.
1874
The “Knights of Revelry” (K. O. R’s) are formed and parade on Mardi Gras Day.
The “Domino” mystic society is founded.
1875
The Alabama State Legislature in Montgomery declares Shrove Tuesday a legal holiday in Mobile. The public is advised to close all business on this day.
1881
The “Strikers Independent Society” discontinues its street parades, but continues to hold a grand ball on New Year’s Eve.
The Mobile Carnival Association is having trouble effectively promoting Mobile Mardi Gras and the “Infant Mystics” are asked to take over the organization and the administration of Mardi Gras.
The “Michael Krafft Association” (M. K. A.) mystic society is founded. The idea is to form a combined mystic society made up of members of the “Cowbellion de Rakin Society” and the “Order of Myths.” Members are allowed to join one or both of these mystic societies.
1884
The “Comic Cow Boys” Mardi Gras Society is founded. They will become known for their political satire of both local and national events displayed as signs on their floats.
The “Strikers Independent Society” parade one last time on New Years night.
The “Excelsior Band” makes its debut in Mobile Mardi Gras parades.
1887
The “Mystic Krewe of Myrthe” is founded.
The first electric lighted ball takes place as the “Infant Mystics” celebrate at the Princess Theatre. Nine electric light bulb globes are used to illuminate the ballroom.
The “Michael Krafft Association” (M. K. A.) folds and passes out of existence.
1888
The “Order of Dragons” (O. O. D.) mystic society is founded.
The “Order of Druids” mystic society is founded.
The “Cowbellion de Rakin Society” ceases parading and holds its final ball on New Year’s Eve. From 1888 to 1912, members of the society meet for an annual supper to reminisce about glories of the past.
1889
The first Empress of Mobile Mardi Gras is crowned as “Empress Esther-Y-Jodi,” Queen-Consort Imperial to “Emperor Felix I.”
1890
The “Continental Mystic Crew” Jewish mystic society is founded.
The “S. C. S.” non-parading mystic society is officially founded. This highly secretive society comes to be known as the “Santa Clause Society” because its initial balls were held on Christmas Day.
1891
The “Monday Evening Maskers” (M. E. M’s) mystic society is founded.
1892
The “Krewe of Mohomet” (K. O. M.) mystic society is founded.
The “Order of Imps” mystic society is founded.
1893
The Mobile Carnival Association is reorganized after a period of no activity.
Ethel Hodgson is crowned as Mobile’s first “Queen” of Mardi Gras.
Members of the Alabama State Legislature meet in Mobile during Mardi Gras season.
The “Knights of Pegasus” mystic society is founded.
1894
The “Order of Doves” mystic society is founded and a ball is held. It is believed to be the first organized black mystic society in Mobile.
1895
The “Midnight Merry Makers” mystic society is founded.
The “Knights of Glory” mystic society is founded.
1896
The “Imperial Fun Makers” mystic society is founded.
1897
The “K. O. I.” black mystic society is founded.
The “Sons of Cyreniac” mystic society is founded.
The “Mardi Gras Pilgrims” mystic society is founded.
The “Order of Orioles” mystic society is founded.
The “Sons of Saturn” mystic society is founded.
1898
The second Mobile Carnival Association is formed. The reorganized association is charged with providing popular entertainment during the day and night time so that visitors to the city would have something to do throughout the two days of Mardi Gras.
1899
The “Phifty Phunny Phellows” parading mystic society is founded.
1900
The Cadet Band of the Alabama Polytechnic, later called the Auburn University Marching Band, makes its first appearance at Mobile’s Mardi Gras parades.
1901
There is no Queen or Ladies of the Court for Mobile Mardi Gras this year.
1902
There is no Queen or Ladies of the Court for Mobile Mardi Gras this year.
Some 4,600 incandescent lights are hung on buildings lighting the Mardi Gras parade route.
Mobile’s General Council restricts the wearing of masks to mystic societies and children under twelve years old. This legal measure is designed to crack down on “mischievous” crime and other bad behavior during the carnival season. This ordinance also forbids females to enter bar rooms on Mardi Gras Day.
The “Strikers Independent Society” theme is “Colonial Mobile” celebrating the bicentennial of Mobile’s founding. S. I. S. members wear costumes representing the French, British, Spanish, and American periods of history.
1903
Mobile’s “Fat Tuesday” parade features a float that envisions the arrival of the airplane.
1904
Joe Cain, the man responsible for reviving Mardi Gras in Mobile after the Civil War, dies at Bayou la Batre in an unmarked grave.
1905
The “Merry Evening Maskers” women’s mystic society is founded.
The “Knights of Folly” mystic society is founded.
The first “Automobile Parade” takes place on Fat Tuesday. Each “chauffeur” is cautioned not to “run too fast but to maneuver through the parade route with care and discretion.”
1909
The “Kickshaw Society” mystic society is founded.
1910
The “Followers of Apolla” mystic society is founded.
The “Spinsters” women’s mystic society is founded.
The “Merry Evening Maskers” hold their last ball and passes out of existence.
1912
The “Fifty Funny Fellows” non-parading mystic society is founded. This is different than the “Phifty Phunny Phellows,” parading society organized in 1899.
The “Cowbellion de Rakin Society” holds its last annual supper and passes out of existence.
1913
“The occasion when all the Ladies of the Evening came to a Mardi Gras ball.”
On February 4, “the girls” from Mobile’s red light district were invited to a public carnival ball held in the district. According to a Mobile Press Register article, “the district turned out in force.” Those in attendance making sure the ball was orderly included the Mayor of Mobile and the City Police Chief. Members of the “Order of Myths” society were invited to attend the “public carnival” after their ball was finished. Much to their surprise, the public carnival receiving line is comprised of prostitutes from the district. It was reported that the red light district girls danced the Turkey Trot and Bunny Hug, two popular dances of the day. About 1,000 people attended the ball and reports indicated that “a good time was had by all.”
The “Continental Mystic Crewe” Jewish mystic society disappears.
1914
The “Order of Doves” black mystic society holds its last ball and goes out of existence.
The “Original Social Utopia Club, Inc.” black mystic society is founded.
The “Sirens” women’s non-parading mystic society is founded. Only married women are eligible for membership in this society.
The “Midnight Mystics” black mystic society is founded.
1915
The “Mystics” Jewish mystic society is founded.
The “Blue Birds” Jewish women’s mystic society is founded.
Mobile’s mystic societies cease being listed in the annual city directory.
The United States naval seaplane, K6-25, circles over downtown Mobile during Mardi Gras. This “flying machine” is believed to be one of the first planes seen by Mobilians.
1917
The “Blue Birds” Jewish women’s mystic society gives its final ball and passes out of existence.
The Chattanooga Company Bakery introduces the popular marsh mellow cookie “moon pie”. It will become a popular “throw” in Mobile Mardi Gras parades.
1918
Mobile celebrates 50 years of parading on Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras Day).
The Mobile Board of Commissioners pass a resolution, January 8, forbidding public masking in Mobile during the period of the war. Introduced by Mayor Lyons, the resolution is explained as “a measure intended to prevent anyone’s harboring under disguise in an attempt to perform tasks that would be injurious to the nation’s war work in Mobile.”
Edmond De Celle introduces color and shade of paint to carnival floats in Mobile.
1918-1919
Mobile cancels all Mardi Gras parades and balls due to World War I.
1920
Mobile’s Juvenile Court is founded.
The Mobile Board of Commissioners votes to repeal the ordinance prohibiting public masking on the streets of Mobile.
Mobile’s Mardi Gras parades and balls resume but festivities are confined to one day: “Fat Tuesday.”
The “Mystics” Jewish mystic society ceases operations.
The “Follies” women’s non-parading mystic society is founded.
1921
The “Krewe of Columbus” mystic society is founded.
After an absence of eight years, the “Continental Mystic Crew” Jewish mystic society holds a ball and then passes out of existence for the last time.
1923
The first “Mobile Rifles” Mardi Gras ball is held.
1924
Via City Commission ordinance, mystic societies are ordered to obtain permits to parade during Mobile’s Carnival season. Only authorized Mardi Gras organizations will be permitted to parade and each society is asked to register: the hour they will parade, streets of their parade route, and names of members that will participate in the parade.
1927
The “Fifty Funny Fellows” mystic society reorganizes after it had folded following World War I.
The Mobile Carnival Association is reorganized and enlarged under new president Alfred Lewis Staples.
Famous American aviator Charles A. Lindbergh is invited by Mayor Leon Schwartz to visit Mobile during Mardi Gras season. Lindbergh respectfully declines the invitation citing the uncertainty of his plans and schedule for the next few months.
By special request of the Mobile Carnival Association’s Executive Committee, three Nation Guard contingents (Mobile Rifles, Murray Wheeler Guards, and Mobile Cadets) parade as guards of honor to His Majesty King Felix III.
The “Krewe of Columbus” mystic society officially changes the spelling of its name to “Crewe of Columbus.”
1928
The children’s “Floral Parade” makes its debut in Mobile. In this parade, the floats feature themes like Mother Goose and comic strip scenes chosen to appeal to children.
1929
The “Infant Mystics” is the first society in Mobile to have electrically lighted floats.
1930
Mobile celebrates its 100th anniversary as America’s “Mother of Mystics.”
The University of Alabama marching band makes its debut in Mobile Mardi Gras parades.
The drum and bugle corps of the Mobile Fire Department makes its first appearance in Mardi Gras parades.
Mobile’s first Automobile “Floral Parade” held in connection with Mardi Gras celebrations take place.
Webb Odom begins designing and building Mardi Gras floats in Mobile.
1935
Mobile celebrates its 100th anniversary of Carnival parades.
The “Original Dragons” black mystic society is founded.
According to City of Mobile Ordinance 1212, during the annual Mardi Gras parades of mystic societies in the city no vehicle advertising or display float not belonging to the mystic society then parading is allowed to follow the parade at a closer distance than three blocks from the rear of the parade.
According to City of Mobile Ordinance 618, It is unlawful for any person to appear in mask in any street, public place, or police jurisdiction of the city except during Mardi Gras or Carnival celebration when the following persons or societies registered with the mayor’s office may appear in mask and or parade on the streets of Mobile: Emperor Felix and his escort, the Comic Cow Boys, Knights of Revelry, Krewe of Columbus, Infant Mystics, Order of Myths, and any other society or association organized solely for participation in Mardi Gras or Carnival celebration.
1936
The “Comrades Club Inc.” black mystic society is founded.
The “Strikers Club, Inc.” black mystic society is founded.
1937
The “Thalians” women’s non-parading mystic society is founded.
1938
The fist black Mardi Gras parade is held in Mobile. President and founder of the “Knights of May Zulu Club,” A. S. May, organizes the parade down Davis Avenue.
1939
The Colored Carnival Association (CCA) is founded and the Association’s first parade is held on “Fat Tuesday” along Davis Avenue.
The First King and Queen of Black Mardi Gras in Mobile are chosen. Winston Allan is chosen to be “King Tuttle “and Ruby Morgan is chosen to be Queen. Manuel Carter is chosen to be the “Mayor of Colored Mobile.”
The “Nereides” women’s non-parading mystic society is founded.
1940
The “Comrades Social Club” black mystic society is founded.
The “Mystic Stripers Society” mystic society is founded.
The Colored Carnival Association (CCA) crowns it first “official” King and Queen of black Mardi Gras. Alex Herman is crowned King Elexis I and Aliene Jenkins is crowned Queen at the Colored Community Center. Samuel Besteda is chosen to be the “Mayor of Colored Mobile.”
In the early black Mardi Gras parades, individuals are encouraged to register to participate in the parade. For a low fee, participants can register to have a float, ride a bicycle, decorate a car, or parade on foot as maskers. The Colored Carnival Association parade is more of a civic parade that features ordinary citizens and black mystic societies.
Life Magazine photographer Robert Capa photographs Mobile Mardi Gras celebrations for an upcoming feature.
The “Order of Juno” women’s mystic society is founded.
1941
The “Order of Juno” women’s non-parading mystic society is founded.
Mrs. Frederica G. Evans proposes that the King of the Colored Carnival Association be perpetually named “King Elexis,” named after the first official king of the CCA Alex Herman.
1942 - 1944
All Mardi Gras parades and balls are replaced by war bond rallies and patriotic functions related to World War II.
1945
The Mobile Carnival Association’s (MCA) Mardi Gras parades and balls return on a limited basis.
The Colored Carnival Association’s “Mammoth Parade” is cancelled due to World War II.
1946
All Mardi Gras parading and balls resume on a full scale in Mobile.
The Colored Carnival Association begins hosting its “Mammoth Parade” on “Fat Tuesday.”
The Mobile Carnival Association’s King and Queen coronation ceremony moves from the wharf on the waterfront to Fort Whiting.
The “Comrades Social Civic Club, Inc.” black mystic society is founded.
1947
According to Section 842 of the Code of the City of Mobile, it is unlawful for any person to appear in mask in any street or other public place within Mobile or its police jurisdiction except for such individuals associated with Mardi Gras societies or associations.
According to Section 843 of the Code of the City of Mobile, no individual in mask is permitted to wear gloves or have his hands concealed or covered, without exception, on the streets of Mobile.
The “Pierrettes” women’s non-parading mystic society is founded.
1948
The “Mystics of Time” mystic society is founded.
The “Knights of Ebony” black mystic society is founded.
1949
The “Order of Polka Dots” women’s mystic society is founded.
The “Dominoes” women’s non-parading mystic society is founded.
“La Luna Servante” women’s non-parading mystic society is founded.
1950
Mobile’s first women’s mystic societies (Order of the Polka Dots and Maids of Mirth) make their parade debuts.
The “Maids of Mirth” women’s mystic society is founded.
The “Etruscans” married couples mystic society is founded.
The “Court of Isabella” women’s mystic society is founded.
1951
The Colored Carnival Association (CCA) withdraws its Mardi Gras celebration plans “because of the Korean crises.” The (CCA) is referring to the Korean War 1950-1954.
The Mobile Carnival Association (MCA) announces that it will sponsor a “limited” Mardi Gras Celebration due to the Korean War.
1952
The Camelia Ball, presenting Mobile’s debutantes to the public, is founded. The ball is held during Mardi Gras season.
The “Knights of May Zulu Club” black mystic society holds its final parade.
1953
The “Forty-Niners,” or (‘49ers) married couples mystic society is founded.
The “Don Donas” married couples mystic society is founded.
The “Harlequins” married couples mystic society is founded.
1954
The “Order of Athena” women’s mystic society is founded.
1955
According to Section 36-34 of the Code of the City of Mobile, it is unlawful for any person to appear in mask in any street or other public place within the city or its police jurisdiction except for individuals who are members of mystic societies and associations associated with Carnival or Mardi Gras.
1956
The “Order of Inca” mystic society is founded.
The Colored Carnival Association appoints baseball player Henry “Hank” Aaron “Mayor” of Mobile.
The first “moon pies” are thrown from a Mobile Mardi Gras float. Children on the Queen’s float of the “Comic Cowboys” throw the tasty treat to parade crowds.
1957
According to Section 36-36 of the Code of the City of Mobile, no individual may appear in mask in any street or other public place within the city, or its police jurisdiction, except on Mardi Gras day between 9:00 A. M. and 9:00 P. M. unless that individual appears as a member of one of mystic societies or associations provided for by section 36-35 of the 1955 code.
The “Belles and Beaux” married couples mystic society is founded.
1959
According to the 1959 City Code Supplement, No person in mask may wear gloves or have his hands concealed or covered. Any individual so concealing his hands or wearing gloves during Mardi Gras shall, on demand of any city police officer, remove the mask and give the officer his name, place of employment, if any, and his place of residence, and shall furnish any document that will establish his identity. It is against the law for any such person to give false information or untrue documentary evidence of his identity.
1960
“Les Bons Vivants” married couples mystic society is founded.
1961
“Le Krewe de Bienville” non-parading mystic society is founded by a group of Mobile gentlemen who want visitors to be able to take part in Mobile’s Carnival celebration by attending a Mardi Gras ball.
1964
The “Mystic Maskers” married couples mystic society is founded.
1965
Mardi Gras “doubloons” (commemorative coins) are introduced to Mobile parade crowds by the “Infant Mystics” society. Today, almost every Mobile mystic society produces its own doubloons.
1966
Mobile celebrates the 100th anniversary of Joe Cain’s revival of Mardi Gras in Mobile after the Civil War.
The New Orleans States-Item newspaper concedes that Mobile has a just claim on the title “Mother of Mystics” in the United States.
The bodies of Joe Cain and his wife are removed from the Bayou La Batre cemetery and are reburied in Church Street Cemetery in Mobile. The City of Mobile holds a “wake” for Cain as mourners march in procession from Old City Hall to Cain’s gravesite. The famous Excelsior Band plays lively dirges along the procession route and end with “Hello Dolly!” at Church Street Cemetery.
Baseball player and native Mobilian Tommie Agee is crowned King Elexis, King of Colored Carnival in Mobile.
1967
Mobile’s “Joe Cain” or “People’s Parade” debuts. The Joe Cain parade is held the Sunday before Mardi Gras Day. “Maskers” march from Old City Hall/Southern Market (Cain was Chief Market Clerk) to the gravesite of Joe Cain in Church Street Cemetery.
The “Independent Fun Lovers” mystic society is founded.
1969
The Colored Carnival Association (CCA) dedicates its first float warehouse. This milestone event allows the Association to build its own floats, eliminating the need to rent floats from white mystic societies, which they had done previously.
The “Maids of Mirth” women’s mystic society is the first organization in Mobile to throw “moon pies” from all its floats.
Officials of the Mobile Carnival Association (MCA) ban the use of boxed throws, rubber balls, and glass or plastic containers stating that they are injuring people.
1969-1970
There is a two-year absence of organized black participation in Mobile’s Mardi Gras parades. The need to concentrate on fundraising to support the Colored Carnival Association (CCA) and new production of floats are the reasons stated by the organization for the absence.
1971
The Colored Carnival Association (CCA) is renamed Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association (MAMGA). The honorary title “Mayor of Colored Mobile” is replaced with “Grand Marshal.” Members of the organization state that the name of the organization was changed by unanimous vote after noticing that the membership roster represented several cities in the greater Mobile region.
“Cain’s Merry Widows” women’s mystic society is founded. Each Mardi Gras, members of this society dress in black, lay a wreath at Joe Cain’s house on Augusta Street, and travel to Cain’s burial site at Church Street Cemetery to wail.
1974
The Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Association is founded.
Alexis M. Herman, future Secretary of Labor under the Clinton Presidency, is named Queen of MAMGA.
1975
George Hilliard begins building Mardi Gras floats in Mobile.
1977
The “Conde Cavaliers” mystic society is founded. The “Conde Cavaliers” parade first and kick off the Mardi Gras parade season in Mobile.
The “Emerald’s Inc.” black mystic society is founded.
The City of Gulf Shores holds its first Mardi Gras parade.
The “Pleasure Island Players” Gulf Shores mystic society is founded.
1979
The Prichard Mardi Gras Association holds its first Coronation.
The Joe Cain Mardi Gras procession changes route to begin at the intersection of Broad and Government Streets instead of Old City Hall. The new parade route will end at Bienville Square instead of Church Street Cemetery. Mounting public criticism of destruction of graves in the cemetery forces Mobile City Commissioners to change the route of the popular parade.
New Orleans “Fat Tuesday” parades are cancelled due to a police strike. An estimated 300,000 people come over to Mobile from the Crescent City to celebrate.
1980
The “Order of Osiris” mystic society is founded. This is Mobile’s only all-inclusive membership crew. The first “Order of Osiris” ball is held in 1981.
The “Krewe of Madoc” Eastern Shore mystic society is founded.
1983
The “Order of Inca” introduces Mardi Gras throw cups to Mobile parade spectators.
The “New Mobilians” mystic society is founded.
1984
The “Knights of Ecor Rouge” Eastern Shore mystic society is founded.
1985
The “Pharaohs” mystic society is founded.
The “Order of Mardi Gras Maskers” mystic society is founded.
The “Krewe of Don Q” black mystic society is founded.
The “Maids of Jubilee” Fairhope women’s mystic society is founded.
The City of Fairhope holds its first Mardi Gras parade.
1986
The City of Prichard holds its first Mardi Gras parade.
1987
The “Order of Shiners” Gulf Shores mystic society is founded.
City government ordinance makes it unlawful to “sell, purchase, or use fireworks of any type in or on the public streets of the City of Mobile during the time observed as Mardi Gras.”
1988
The “Knight of Joy” black mystic society is founded.
Mobile artisans Tony and Tonya Cain begin making royal regalia for Mobile and New Orleans Mardi Gras kings and queens.
1989
The “Order of La She’s” women’s mystic society is founded.
1989 – 1990
The resurrected “Cowbellion de Rakin Society” non-parading mystic society is founded and holds its first New Year’s Eve Revel.
1990
The “Marquis de Lafayette Societie” non-parading mystic society is founded.
The “Forty Niners” couples mystic society has its last ball and passes out of existence.
The Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Mobile Mayor Arthur Outlaw and the City Council adopt the Port City’s official Mardi Gras flag as designed by the local YMCA. The flag features top and bottom bands of purple with a middle band of gold. A serpentine “M” floats over a traditional mask in the center of the flag.
The “Classic Ladies Social Club Inc.” black women’s mystic society is founded.
1991
The “Island Mystics” Dauphin Island mystic society is founded.
The “Marquis de Lafayette Societe” mystic society is founded.
1992
The “Society of Independent Strikers” celebrates its 150th anniversary.
The first “Tillman’s Tricksters” Mardi Gras parade is Tillman’s Corner is held.
1993
The “Krewe of Marry Mates” married couples mystic society is founded.
The “Mobile Mystics” mystic society is founded.
The “Krewe de la Dauphine” Dauphin Island mystic society is founded.
1994
The “Krewe de la Dauphine” mystic society is founded.
The “Mystic Order of Magnolias” Fairhope women’s mystic society is founded.
1995
The first Mobile International Carnival Ball is held. It is Mobile’s only Mardi Gras ball open to the general public.
1996
The “Original Dragons” black mystic society begins presenting debutantes at its ball held at the Mobile Fairgrounds Auditorium.
It is estimated that $25 million a year is circulated through the Mobile economy as a result of Mardi Gras.
The “Krewe Les Beau Geste” Foley mystic society is founded.
The “Krewe of Goats” black mystic society is founded and holds its first parade in Prichard.
1997
“Le Crewe de Spaniards” Spanish Fort mystic society is founded.
“Neptune’s Daughters” women’s mystic society is founded.
The City of Prichard holds its first “Krewe of Goats” Mardi Gras parade.
1998
Native Mobilian and Civil Rights heroin Vivian Malone Jones, the first black women to graduate from the University of Alabama, is awarded the Alex Herman Humanitarian Award at the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association’s Royal Luncheon.
The City of Spanish Fort holds its first Mardi Gras parade.
The City of Foley holds its first Mardi Gras parade.
The City of Orange Beach holds its first Mardi Gras parade.
Dauphin Island holds its first Mardi Gras parade.
The “Tritons, Con-Rouge, and Krewe of Congo” South Baldwin County mystic societies are founded.
The “Knights of Mobile” mystic society is founded.
The “Mobile Mystical Ladies” women’s mystic society is founded.
Mobile Mardi Gras float designer and builder Webb Odom dies.
The Museum of Mobile unveils its Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association exhibit at the Bernstein-Bush house location. This exhibit features the coronation gown worn by former MAMGA Queen Alexis Herman, United States Secretary of Labor during the Clinton administration.
1999
Orange flavored marsh mellow pies are reintroduced as parade throws in Mobile after a lengthy absence.
The “Krewe of Admiral Semmes” mystic society is founded.
The “Mystic Krewsaders Society” black mystic society is founded.
“Les Femmes Cassettes” women’s mystic society is founded. The group is named for 23 French women who traveled aboard the ship Pelican to Twenty-Seven Mile Bluff in 1704 for the purpose of marrying the men who founded the Louisiana colony. A “cassette” or carrying case containing clothes and possessions was given to each woman who traveled from France to Twenty-Seven Mile Bluff.
The “Shadow Barons” Daphne mystic society is founded.
2000
The “Mystic Order of Persephone” Daphne women’s mystic society is founded.
The “Krewe of Mullet Mates” Point Clear mystic society is founded.
The “Mobile Married Mystics” married couples mystic society is founded.
The “Mystics of Pleasure” Orange Beach mystic society is founded.
The “Order of Venus” women’s mystic society is founded.
The “Apolla’s Mystic Ladies” Eastern Shore women’s mystic society is founded.
2001
The “Order of Outowners” mystic society is founded. An “Outowners” ball is held at the Arthur Outlaw Convention Center ballroom and King Moon Pie and Queen Azalea are chosen to rule over the festivities. This organization aims to be a more modern and inclusive society than the traditional ones in Mobile, offering ball tickets for sale to the general public.
The community of Point Clear holds its first Mardi Gras parade.
Mobile Mardi Gras Timeline Sources
Information sources consulted for this Mobile Mardi Gras timeline include published books, research vertical files, period newspaper articles, and unpublished research binder notebooks. Published books include Queens of Mobile Mardi Gras 1893-1986 “She Walks in beauty” by Emily Staples Hearin and Kathryn Taylor DeCelle, 1986; Mardi Gras in Mobile – A chronicle of Black Participation, published by the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association, 1980; Without Malice – The History of the Comic Cowboys, 1884-1984 by Samuel Eichold, 1984; and Let The Good Times Roll by Emily Staples Hearin, 1991, and America’s First Carnival – The Guide to Mobile Mardi Gras (Feb. 1998). The Mobile City Code & Ordinance books for 1826, 1845, 1866,1902, 1918, 1920, 1924, 1935, 1947, 1955, 1957, and 1959 were researched at the Mobile Municipal Archives. Vertical files of Mobile Mardi Gras information of various years were consulted at The Museum of Mobile and the Local History & Genealogy Division of the Mobile Public Library. Eighteen, binder volumes of unpublished information titled Mobile Mystic Organizations * Parades * Balls * 1830-2002 compiled by Charles Torrey III, Museum Research Historian for The Museum of Mobile, contain local, period newspaper accounts and research papers that were consulted for this timeline.
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