Josephine is an unincorporated community in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States.

Josephine, Alabama
Photograph of Bamahenge showing pillars erected in a grassy area and trees in the background
Bamahenge, a full-scale fiberglass replica of Stonehenge, is located on the grounds of Barber Marina outside of Josephine
Josephine, Alabama is located in Alabama
Josephine, Alabama
Josephine, Alabama
Josephine, Alabama is located in the United States
Josephine, Alabama
Josephine, Alabama
Coordinates: 30°19′36″N 87°31′52″W / 30.32667°N 87.53111°W / 30.32667; -87.53111
CountryUnited States
StateAlabama
CountyBaldwin
Elevation
10 ft (3 m)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code251
GNIS feature ID121057[1]

History

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The community is named for Josephine Ross, who was the daughter of the first postmaster.[2] A post office operated under the name Josephine from 1881 to 1959.[3]

Raphael Semmes, who served as the captain of the commerce raider CSS Alabama during the Civil War, had a summer home in Josephine.[4] In 1898, the McPherson family bought the Semmes property. They operated the Mexiwana Hotel on the site of the Semmes home until 1935. A school, which served grades 1–6, operated in Josephine from 1903 to 1917. The community was also home to a bakery before it moved to Foley.[5]

A small sand mound, built by Native Americans who lived in the area, is located near the site of the former Josephine post office.[6] Bamahenge, a full-scale fiberglass replica of Stonehenge, is located on the grounds of Barber Marina outside of Josephine.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Josephine". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ Jackson, John. "Historic Josephine". gulfcoastnewtoday.com. Gulf Coast News Today. Retrieved January 7, 2016.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Baldwin County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  4. ^ O. Lawrence Burnette (January 1, 2007). Historic Baldwin County: A Bicentennial History. HPN Books. p. 18. ISBN 978-1-893619-80-7.
  5. ^ "Josephine, Alabama - History". josephinecommunity.com. Josephine Homeowners Association. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  6. ^ Clarence Bloomfield Moore; Nancy Marie White (September 27, 1999). The Northwest Florida Expeditions of Clarence Bloomfield Moore. University of Alabama Press. p. 18. ISBN 978-0-8173-0992-3.
  7. ^ Kelly, Brian (August 16, 2013). "Stonehenge replica known as Bamahenge hidden in a stand of trees in Josephine". Press-Register.
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