Gulf Shores, class of 2005, designated 2007, gulfshoresal.gov
The completion of the Intracoastal Waterway in 1937 and the opening of Gulf State Park in 1939 were crucial factors in attracting people to the Gulf Shores area in Baldwin County along Alabama’s coast. The first post office opened in 1947. Prior to that time, the area was sparsely populated except for a small fishing community dating to the early 1800s. Incorporation activities began in 1956 and Gulf Shores officially incorporated in 1958. Now with a population of just over 15,000, Gulf Shores is a rapidly growing coastal community drawing not only tourists but residents.
Unique to Gulf Shores is the crown of the state park system, Gulf State Park, which has two miles of protected beaches, a beachside lodge known for its sustainable tourism endeavors, a large campground, 20 cabins and access to a multitude of activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, exploring, geocaching, paddling and birdwatching. To the west, sea turtles and migratory birds thrive among the coastal habitats of Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Farther west, 19th-century Fort Morgan guards Mobile Bay. Gulf Shores also hosts numerous recreational activities and festivals, including the National Shrimp Festival, which has been ongoing for nearly 50 years.
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