DID Ep 5 - The Lost Republic

For 74 days in 1810, there was a country on the Gulf Coast that most Americans have never heard of.It had a flag, a government, a governor, and a claim to territory stretching from modern-day Louisiana toward Mobile Bay and the Perdido River. Then, almost as quickly as it appeared, it vanished.In this episode of Dauphin Island Diaries, we explore the story of the Republic of West Florida, a short-lived nation born from the collision of Spanish colonial rule, American expansion, frontier settlement, and international intrigue during the age of Napoleon.Along the way, we'll visit:Spanish West Florida and its disputed boundariesThe Louisiana Purchase and competing territorial claimsThe Federal Road and Fort StoddertReuben Kemper and the early filibuster movementsThe capture of Fort San Carlos at Baton RougeGovernor Fulwar Skipwith and the Republic of West FloridaMobile Bay's place in the struggle for control of the Gulf CoastThe annexation of West Florida by the United StatesWe'll also examine the roles played by James Madison, William Claiborne, Harry Toulmin, James Wilkinson, and others whose decisions helped shape the future of the Gulf Coast.Though the Republic of West Florida existed for only 74 days, the events surrounding its rise and fall helped determine the future of modern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.SourcesResearch for this episode was drawn primarily from:The Rogue Republic: How Would-Be Patriots Waged the Shortest Revolution in American History by William C. DavisFort Stoddert: American Sentinel on the Mobile River, 1799-1814 by Mike Bunn and Susie HartmanAdditional information was drawn from:Alabama EncyclopediaDictionary.comHistorical reference materials used for fact-checking and chronologySpecial thanks to historian Mike Bunn for insights shared during an interview conducted on June 9, 2026, which provided additional context for several aspects of this story.🎙️ CreditsHosted by Big John SummersProduced by Summers Media EnterprisesFoley/Sound effects recorded by Big John Summers📣 Follow & SupportFollow Dauphin Island Diaries on Facebook, Instagram, and X for additional content, including on-location videos, historical interpretation, and stories from across Tennessee.Support the show on Patreon for:• Early access to episodes• Ad-free listening• Exclusive bonus content, including full-length interviews🔗 Links🧢 Merch & Apparel:https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch📘 Follow on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/DauphinIslandDiaries/📘 Check out The Tennessee History Nerd:https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/podcasts/tthnCheck out the Dauphin Island Diaries Catalog! Check out The Tennessee History Nerd!   https://www.summersmediaenterprises.com/podcasts/tthn Advertise with us!  [email protected] Check out our merchandise!   www.summersmediaenterprises.com/merch Take Dauphin Island Diaries with you wherever you go!If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with someone who loves history, and leave a review—it helps more folks discover the stories of Dauphin Island, Mobile Bay, and the Gulf Coast.