Signs, Signs (Ecor Bienville)

  A century before Selma became a town, the site that sits high on a soapstone bluff  was called Ecor Bienville.  In 1714,  Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville,  Governor of the Province,made a friendly visit to the Alibamo Indians here.   The monument to commemorate his visit was erected in 1932 by National Society  of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Alabama.    This monument recently was moved closer to Water Avenue due to sewer repair  on Lauderdale Street. The background fence was added and the riverbank  cleaned of vines and shrubs, creating a better view  of the Alabama River and Edmund Pettus Bridge.     Linking to Signs, Signs and City Daily Photo Blogs

Bienville was Here

Three centuries ago, Selma's bluff was known as Ecor Bienville, named

 for the French colonizer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur De Bienville.

 When he was only 21, Bienville became governor of the colony 

of French Louisiana. He co-founded Mobile and made a friendly visit 

to this area along the Alabama River in 1714. The plaque that was placed

 by the Colonial Dames of America sits in Bienville Park on Water Avenue. 

Linking to Weekend in Black and White and City Daily Photo Blogs

Ecor Bienville

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.