3Titles
Explore publications and collections from the past.
Community History Archive Partner
Bay Minette Public Library
Bay Minette, Alabama
Explore this community history collection to discover the people, places, organizations, and events of Bay Minette.
1906 to 1973Dates represented
See individual titles for available dates.
40,967Archive pages
Historical pages reported for this collection.
Explore local history
Discover the people, places, and stories of Bay Minette, Alabama.
A story connected with Bay Minette can begin with a small clue. Explore the collection shared by Bay Minette Public Library and see what its sources support. Its three titles include material from 1906 to 1973.
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Selected titles
A selection from Bay Minette Public Library: “Baldwin County High School Yearbooks” and “The Onlooker”.
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Free and open access
No subscription or payment required.
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Ways to explore
The past of Bay Minette can be approached through personal interests, community questions, or classroom learning.
A promising detail may lead to another perspective rather than a complete account; allow room for uncertainty. Whether you are teaching, researching, or simply curious, the history of Bay Minette can offer a meaningful place to begin. Explore the archive online for free, without a subscription.
Explore the collection
Titles in this collection
Browse three titles and 40,967 digitized pages, with material from 1906 to 1973. A partnership between Bay Minette Public Library and Advantage Archives makes this collection available. Some years or items may be missing between the dates shown.
A family story or a question about a familiar place can lead somewhere unexpected. Browse the titles below and see which detail draws you in.
Baldwin County High School Yearbooks
250 pages from 1924 to 1929
The Baldwin Times
39,944 pages from 1906 to 1973
The Onlooker
773 pages from 1912 to 1917
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About the Archive
About The Bay Minette Public Library’s History Archives
- The Baldwin Times (1906-1973)
- The Onlooker (1912-1917)
This project allows the community to explore, discover, and connect with their collective history through digitized, searchable formats of these newspapers.
About the Library
About The Bay Minette Public Library
The Bay Minette Public Library serves the city of Bay Minette in Baldwin County, Alabama. Located at 205 W 2nd St, the library has been a cornerstone of the community, providing access to educational resources, fostering lifelong learning, and promoting community engagement. The library is committed to offering free access to information, materials, and services that enhance the quality of life for all residents. The library is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, and Saturday from 9am to 1pm. It is closed on Sundays. You can contact the library at (251) 580-1648 or via email at jbailey@cityofbayminetteal.gov . Follow them on social media for updates and events: Facebook .
Library History
The History Of The Bay Minette Public Library
Since its establishment, the Bay Minette Public Library has played a crucial role in the community. The library’s history is marked by its continuous efforts to adapt and expand its services to meet the evolving needs of Bay Minette’s residents. It has grown from a small collection of books to a comprehensive resource center that includes digital archives, community programs, and educational initiatives. The library's mission has always been to provide access to a wide range of information and resources, support lifelong learning, and encourage cultural enrichment. Over the years, the library has benefited from numerous donations and grants that have enabled it to expand its collections and services.
About the Community
About Bay Minette
Bay Minette, located in Baldwin County, Alabama, is a vibrant community known for its rich history and cultural heritage. The city serves as the county seat and is a hub for local government and commerce. Bay Minette is home to several historic sites and hosts numerous community events throughout the year, celebrating its past and fostering a strong sense of community.
Local History
Did You Know?
Bay Minette was involved in a famous scheme to become the county seat of Baldwin County. In 1901, a group of Bay Minette residents secretly relocated the county records from Daphne to Bay Minette under the cover of night, securing its status as the county seat. This event is commemorated annually as "The Great Train Robbery." The city also boasts beautiful parks and outdoor spaces, including the popular Bay Minette Kid’s Park, which provides a fun and safe environment for families.
Partner Story
Contact Information and Hours
For more information, contact the Bay Minette Public Library:
- Phone: (251) 580-1648
- Website: Bay Minette Public Library
- Email: jbailey@cityofbayminetteal.gov
- Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-1pm, closed on Sunday
- Social Media: Facebook
More ways to explore and share local history
Research Guidance
Record the evidence as you go
What would you like to learn about the people or places connected with Bay Minette? Use the collection details shared by the Bay Minette Public Library to choose a source and record the title, date, and page or item reference for each useful detail. Keep the title, date, and page or item reference for useful results. Note unsuccessful searches and unanswered questions as well.
Before following another lead, save the title, date, and page or item reference shown with the source. Compare that evidence with the question that brought you here, and let what the source does and does not show shape a thoughtful next search.
Keep source details beside each quotation or observation. If accounts differ, preserve both references and note what remains unresolved. Let the evidence, rather than a smooth retelling, show where the sources agree and where the story is still open.
Community Partnership
Keeping local history a community resource
This community archive is made possible by the collaboration of the Bay Minette Public Library, its community, and Advantage Archives. Together, these partnerships preserve local sources and give people a way to explore, learn from, and share the history around them.
Advantage Archives covers ongoing archive hosting, storage, development, and maintenance. The institution and its community do not pay a subscription, seat license, annual support contract, or other recurring archive-service charge. Local history remains a community resource, not a subscription to maintain.
Would you like to see more of your community's history preserved and accessible? Start a conversation with your library, newspaper publisher, historical or genealogical society, museum, or school about the materials they would like to share and a possible partnership with Advantage Archives.
Learn about partnerships
Stories, research tips, and archive news
Read All About It connects archive research with the people and institutions preserving local history. Explore partner and community stories, project updates, research ideas, and perspectives on digitization, education, and working with primary sources. Use the articles as a starting point for your next question or a new way to share a discovery.
May 7, 2025
Why Microfilm is still important in 2023
Preserving documents on microfilm has been a popular method of storage for many years, and it still holds many benefits today. Here…
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May 7, 2025
Don’t Search For An Obituary By Only Searching For An “Obituary”
In the quest to trace our roots and understand our heritage, obituaries often serve as a crucial starting point. Obituaries are undoubtedly…
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April 9, 2025
Unveiling the Hidden Mysteries: Exploring Cold Cases and Unconventional Clues
Even the most esteemed police forces in the county encounter perplexing cold case files. These unsolved mysteries often leave investigators and genealogists…
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April 1, 2025
This Week in History: March 31st through April 6th
Discover History in The Community History Archives. This week in history, there is absolutely nothing to talk about… April Fools! April…
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March 24, 2025
This Week in History: March 24th through March 30th
Discover History in The Community History Archives. It has officially been a year since I started writing This Week in History,…
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March 18, 2025
It’s Your Community’s History, So Why Rent Something You Own?
We believe that history belongs to the communities where it was made - not locked behind paywalls or inaccessible due to budget restrictions. Subscription-based services and large content aggregators are generally more concerned with "content" and less concerned with the history that content contains. Their models typically involve a reoccurring charge for a plan that renews annually or licensing agreements with the library based on population served or circulation numbers. You are essentially Renting Access To YOUR History.
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