The Bellingrath Gardens

We toured the home and gardens of Walter and Bessie Bellingrath in Mobile this week. Uncle Fred and Uncle Ron joined us as we meandered through the 65 acre estate. The massive, 15 room, 10,500 square foot Bellingrath home was built in 1935 by the architect George B. Rogers. It is filled with original furniture and housewares, collected by Mr. and Mrs. Bellingrath.

Walter Bellingrath was a native of Atlanta who got his start in the Railroad as a Station Manager. His job was to send and receive telegraph messages. In 1903 he purchased a Coca-Cola Bottling Company franchise in southern Alabama with his older brother for $1,500. They decided to split the franchise with Walter taking the Mobile section because he enjoyed fishing. Needless to say, this proved to be a successful endeavor.

Portraits of Walter & Bessie

The River Room

Main Dining Room

Guest Bedroom

Guest Bedroom

Walter married Bessie Mae Morse, a stenographer at his Coca-Cola Bottling Company, in 1906. They never had children but Bessie loved flowers and together they built their beautiful Bellengrath Gardens then opened it up for the public to view in 1932. They had such a positive response that they ended up opening the gardens year round for the public beginning in 1934. Bessie got the idea to plant azaleas at Belle Camp, the original rustic fishing camp that Walter built to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

The Pride of Mobile Azalea

Dave, Ron & Fred entering the Rose Garden

Beth under the fountain

The Great Lawn

The Boardwalk

Bamboo Garden

The Great Lawn

The Great Lawn

Azalea

Camellia

Uncle Fred & Uncle Ron taking a break

We spent about two and a half hours at the Bellingrath Gardens and enjoyed both the walk and the tour of the home. We hope to return again to spend more time exploring the many paths throughout the grounds. There are so many places to sit quietly and just "be in the moment".