The History of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach: From Early Settlements to Brett/Robinson

Collecting History: Alabama Gulf Coast Timeline

From Paleo-Indian roots to a vibrant beach community

The Alabama Gulf Coast community traces its roots back thousands of years to Paleo-Indian settlements. Over time, a landscape of vast forestland evolved into a welcoming beach village and fishing destination, where travelers seek relaxation, rejuvenation, and respite from everyday life.

1800s

1800s — Orange Beach and Gulf Shores were largely forested. Early commerce included turpentine, naval stores, and a shingle mill.
1809 — Baldwin County became Alabama’s third county while still part of the Mississippi Territory.
1819 — Alabama entered the Union as the 22nd state (Dec 14); Fort Morgan was built with locally sourced brick and mortar.
1838 — The original Sand Island Lighthouse was built.
1861 — Fort Morgan served as the first line of defense during the Civil War; Sand Island Lighthouse was destroyed during the conflict.
1864 — Battle of Mobile Bay.
1873 — The existing Sand Island Lighthouse was rebuilt.
1890 — First orange groves planted in Orange Beach.

1900–1939

1900–1923 — Fort Morgan became Alabama’s largest permanent military base. 1907 — Cottages were built to meet growing tourist demand.
1910 — Orange Beach opened its first school and post office; dredging began on the Intracoastal Waterway.
1914–1918 — During WWI, approximately 2,000 troops were stationed at Fort Morgan.
1923 — The Orange Beach Hotel was built.
1926 — Hard freezes ended the Orange Beach citrus industry.
1930 — George C. Meyers donated 700 acres to what would become Gulf State Park.
1932 — Intracoastal Waterway completed, forming what’s now known as Pleasure Island.
1939 — Gulf State Park opened. 1940 — First beachfront hotel built in Gulf Shores.

1940–1979

1940 — First beachfront hotel in Gulf Shores.
1941 — U.S. Navy reoccupied Fort Morgan.
1944 — Fort Morgan’s coastal defense role ended.
1950s — The original Hangout established.
1956 — Pink Pony Pub was built.
1958 — City of Gulf Shores incorporated.
1960s — Ono Island reportedly got its name from a spirited Alabama–Florida dispute (“Oh no—this island belongs to us!”).
1962 — First bridge over Perdido Pass connected Alabama Point to Florida Point.
1964 — Flora-Bama opened.
1967 — Brett Real Estate, Robinson Development Co., Inc. founded by Tillis and Gene Brett and Tommy Robinson.
1968 — Gulf State Park’s 825-foot saltwater fishing pier completed.
1971 — First National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores.
1972 — Gulf State Park’s 468-site campground, 18-hole golf course, and grand beach pavilion completed.
1979 — Hurricane Frederick struck the Gulf Coast—remembered locally as the storm that “changed everything.”

1982–2020

1982 — Brett/Robinson Gulf Corp. formed; development began on Island Winds East in Gulf Shores—kickstarting sustained condominium development in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
1984 — Orange Beach incorporated as a city.
1985 — After a beach-house fire on a new condo site, co-founder Gene Brett—fresh from watching “Flight of the Phoenix”—envisioned a landmark rising from the ashes. With Tillis Brett and Tommy Robinson, they named the building Phoenix I, beginning a legacy of Phoenix properties.
2009 — Gulf State Park Pier reopened (July 23) after Hurricane Ivan (2004). At 1,540 feet, it’s among the Gulf of Mexico’s longest, with 2,448 feet of fishing space along the rails.
2020 — Brett/Robinson Vacation Rentals employed nearly 600 full-time team members, swelling to 1,000+ in summer. With ~40 years of service on the beach, Brett/Robinson stands as a leading vacation rental company on Alabama’s Gulf Coast.
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