Long, long ago, Selma's first recorded name was Ecor Bienville.
The French colonizer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur De Bienville visited the Alibamo Indians here in 1714 while he was governor of the province.
I'm sure others of you have heard of Bienville.
He also founded New Orleans, Louisiana as well as Mobile, Alabama. His brother, D'Iberville, founded the Louisiana colony at Biloxi.
Born in Montreal, Canada, Bienville's other claims to fame include service in the French Navy, explorer, governor of Louisiana and military commander.
He is credited with maintaining the colony of Louisiana after the death of his brother. According to various biographies, Bienville's administration faced challenges with famine, Native Americans and the governments of Spain, Canada and France.
This stone marker is in tiny Bienville Park on Water Avenue by the Alabama River. It was erected by the Colonial Dames of America.
Click to enlarge the photo for a better view of the inscription.
4 comments:
How interesting to read this historical write-up. Thanks so much for sharing it.
I found it interesting to read of his Canadian roots.
My PAD and
Guelph Daily Photo
Very interesting.
Neat...i love to hear little snippets of history, mahalo~
Isn't it fascinating to read of the diverse history, and of the different directions of life that could have been
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