The now-abandoned settlement of St. Stephens sat atop a
limestone bluff overlooking the Tombigbee River and hosted
Alabama's first seat of government. The location, approximately
67 miles north of Mobile in present-day Washington County, had
been occupied by the Spanish before its cession to the United
States in 1799. The town later served as the capital of the
Alabama Territory between 1817 and 1819 before the government
abandoned it in favor of Cahaba. Today, the site of the town is
referred to as Old St. Stephens and is a historical park and
archeological site. Early British explorers recognized the
potential for a settlement at the site because of the rocky
shoals below that prevented further river traffic northward.
Although the British never constructed a settlement there, Spain
recognized its strategic importance when it assumed control of
the region in its treaty with Britain after the American
Revolution. Accordingly, in 1789 Spain built a fort named Fort
San Esteban. Spain moved quickly to bring a s