Africatown Historic District, Mobile Bay Travel Guide

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Discover Africatown: a historic community preserving the legacy of the Clotilda survivors and their remarkable journey of resilience.

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Africatown Historic District

Explore Africatown, a historic community founded by descendants of the Clotilda, the last known slave ship to arrive in the U.S. Discover their legacy of resilience and cultural preservation just north of Mobile, Alabama.

A brief summary to Africatown Historic District

Plateau, Mobile, Plateau, Alabama, 36610, US

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Africatown Historic District.

Visit the Africatown Heritage House to learn about the history of Africatown and the stories of the Clotilda descendants.
Take a guided tour to gain a deeper understanding of Africatown's history, landmarks, and cultural significance.
Attend a community event or festival to experience the vibrant culture of Africatown.
Be mindful and respectful when visiting Africatown, remembering that it is a residential area with a rich and sensitive history.

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Explore Africatown Historic District on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Africatown Historic District, mapped for you.

Getting There

Public Transport

From downtown Mobile, take a Mobile Transit bus towards Plateau. Route 6 or Route 12 will bring you close to Africatown. Check the Mobile Transit website for schedules and routes, as they may vary. From the nearest bus stop in Plateau, it's about a mile to the Africatown Historic District; you can walk or use a rideshare service. A single fare on Mobile Transit is $1.25.
Rideshare

Use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft from anywhere in Mobile. Input 'Africatown Historic District, Plateau, Mobile, AL 36610' as your destination. A ride from downtown Mobile typically costs between $10 and $25, depending on the pickup location.
Car

If driving, start on I-65 S and take exit 1A for US-90 W/US-98 W toward Mobile. Continue on US-90 W/US-98 W for about 6 miles, then merge onto I-165 N for approximately 4 miles. Take exit 2 for US-43 S toward Mobile and continue for about 3 miles, then turn right onto Plateau Road. Follow Plateau Road to the Africatown Historic District, near the intersection with Old Shell Road. Parking is available near the Africatown Heritage House. Limited street parking is available, and visitors should be mindful of parking restrictions in the residential area. Parking lots are also available near the History Museum of Mobile downtown.

Discover more about Africatown Historic District

Africatown, also known as AfricaTown USA and Plateau, is a historic community located three miles north of downtown Mobile, Alabama. It was founded in 1866 by a group of West Africans who survived the Clotilda, the last known ship to illegally transport slaves to the United States in 1860.These survivors, originally from various West African ethnic groups, created a self-sustaining community, preserving their traditions and building homes, churches, schools, and businesses. Among the founders was Cudjo Kazoola Lewis, who retained his Yoruba customs and served as a spokesman for the community.Today, Africatown welcomes visitors to learn about its unique history and experience its vibrant culture. Landmarks include the Africatown Heritage House, which showcases the history of the Clotilda and the stories of the community's residents. The Union Missionary Baptist Church has been a spiritual center for over a century. The Old Plateau Cemetery is the final resting place for many of the Clotilda survivors.Visiting Africatown offers a chance to honor the resilience of the Clotilda survivors and support the ongoing efforts to revitalize this historic community.