Mount Vernon Arsenal, County Road 96 (Old Saint Stephens Road), Mount Vernon

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS ALA,49-MOUV,1-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

State of Alabama. Pxevio-us Owner; United States War Department. ft So- f?4-o Date of Erection; - 18 6. Architect; Unknown. Builder: United States War Department. Present Condition; ood. Number of Storifces: Some one, two and three stories. Materials of Construction: Grounds enclosed by high brick wall, forty ac r es, prac tically all buildings original, few ^B changes, some are of brick, some are of frame. All have ^^ important architectural features. Qther Existing Records: See;

History

Off ALABAMA. "By OWBB. See: "IMPRINTS OS1 SOTOH'S HISffOBIQ PASO?" -By Varian Feare,(Mrs. E. Walter Burkhardt) Birmingham News, July 22, Source of Material: History of Alabama, by Owens. Compiled by; Katherine Floyd, Auburn, Ala. Approved: E. Walter Burkhardt, District Officer, HABS ALA m ALA- 105 Page 2. Mditional Paifes Mt. Vernon Oantonement, Arsenal and Barracks. Jpa j|mejs*can oantonement near the junction-of the Alabama and Tombigbee Rivers; on the high ground two miles west of ffort Stoddart. In the latter part of a revolt was attempted on the part of the "Bigbee" settlers against Spanish Hale. A detachment of TJ* S.-Troops with Colonel Thomas H. Gushing in command was stationed for a time in Mo "bile to prevent their attach upon that place.

After the danger had passed, Colonel Cashing marched to Fort Stoddart, and thence to Mt, Vernon Springs where a oantonement was established in December Fort Stoddart seemed to he abandoned about that time and Mt. Vernon grew more and more in military importance. Baring the Creek war it was the headquarters for General Claiborne with his forces and also rendezvous for all troops in the southern part of the territory during the campaigns against the Creeks, By Act of Congress approved May 24, the building of an Arsenal at this point was authorized. It was regularly- garrisoned, although with a small force only.

It was of minor importance until the outbreak of the War of In January the Governor caused the post to be occupied ^ Alabama troops* In under orders of SecrJrtafcy of War the arsenal was converted into barracks, for occupation of U. 3. Troops. Its designation was changed to that of Itt. Vernon Barracks. It Was occupied by U 3.. Troops as late as Here about 700 Apache Indians were held prisoners, not with-in the inclosure but outside the walls in log cabins. Among them was thigrir leader, the famous Qhief G-eronemo, a picturesque figure. By Act of Congress approved March 1, the Mt. Vernon Barracks together with all buildings and improvements were conveyed to the State of Alabama by deed executed by Daniel S.

Iiamont Secratafcy of War, March 13, to be used for public purposes* On December 11, the property was set apart by the Legislature for the use of the insane of the State, under the name of Mt. Vernon Hospital, now used for IMMI MM # black, Known as Bryce Hos pital and Mt. Vernon Hospital. Addendum to: Mount Vernon Arsenal (Mount Vernon Barracks) HABS No. AL-105 Mount Vernon Mobile County Alabama (written report first transmitted) /'Atu, PHOTOCOPY Historic American Buildings Survey National Park Service Department of the Interior ' Washington,