Editing Spanish Fort, Alabama (section)

== History ==
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The city of Spanish Fort is rich in history dating as far back as 1712 with the founding of Mobile by [[Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville]] of France. Spanish Fort was originally the site of a trading post established by French-occupied Mobile. Following the [[French and Indian War]], a large area on the [[Gulf Coast]] including the trading post was ceded to the British in 1763. During the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]] after the Spanish took Mobile and surrounding areas in the [[Battle of Fort Charlotte]], a ''presidio'' or military fort was built on the site of the old trading post. This "Spanish Fort" was the site of a [[Battle of Mobile (1781)|counterattack]] by British forces dispatched from [[Pensacola, Florida|Pensacola]] in 1781. The British were driven back and unsuccessful in recapturing the area. Following the [[Adams–Onís Treaty]], Spanish Fort, as it was now commonly referred to, was officially property of the United States.

During the [[American Civil War]], Spanish Fort was heavily fortified as an eastern defense to the city of Mobile. Fort Huger, Fort (Battery) Tracey, Fort (Battery) McDermott, Fort Alexis, Red Fort, and Old Spanish Fort were all part of the Mobile defenses in what is now Spanish Fort. After the [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] victory in the [[Battle of Mobile Bay]], Mobile nevertheless remained in [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] hands. Union forces embarked on a land campaign in early 1865 to take Mobile from the east. Spanish Fort was the site of the [[Battle of Spanish Fort]] in the Mobile Campaign of the war. Its fall allowed Union forces to concentrate on Fort Blakeley to the north, and hence destroy the last organized resistance east of the [[Mississippi River]]. The falls of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley permitted Union troops to subsequently enter Mobile unopposed after the conclusion of the Civil War.

Since incorporating on July 19, 1993, Spanish Fort has seen significant growth. [[Eastern Shore Centre]], an open air regional shopping complex, opened on November 17, 2004. Spanish Fort Town Center contributed to the municipality's substantial commercial development, despite having ongoing issues with vacancies.

On November 1, 2012, groundbreaking ceremonies were held at the northwest corner of Spanish Fort Boulevard and Blakeley Way, site of the new Spanish Fort Community Center.  Though progress on the construction was often hindered by rainy weather and other hurdles, the administrative staff officially occupied the new facility in September 2015. The center is home to the city library, administrative offices, the mayor's office, and other city-run services. The municipal complex is roughly 30,000 square feet and cost the city approximately $5 million to build. The complex sits on 17-acres of prime land and features a large pond with two fountains and a pavilion. The city also hosts community outreach events along with city council and budget meetings.