Beau Terra

Beau Terra is a revitalizing area found less than 10 miles from Downtown Mobile, and conveniently located near several major thoroughfares. In fact, local Realtor Vernetta Greene with IXL Real Estate points out the proximity of Interstate 65 and Highway 98, which runs all the way to Mississippi, as a major feature of the neighborhood. These roadways can take you to downtown’s galleries, museums and restaurants in just minutes.

Beau Terra itself is filled with woodland and houses of all kinds. Split-levels and midcentury styles mingle with ranchers, cottages, bungalows, and even a Creole cottage or two. Snout houses, which have side-entry garages, are common here as are bay windows and neat lawns. Many yards have natural landscaping too. Brick is a favorite building material in the area, and lots are typically one-half-acre or less. Prices range from $75,000 for a two-acre lot to $185,000 for a three-bedroom, two-bath ranch-style home.

Just below Beau Terra in the Parkhill neighborhood lies Langan Park. This 720-acre green space is the largest in Mobile and contains the Mobile Museum of Art, Mobile Botanical Gardens, and Playhouse in the Park. In addition to an amphitheater and performing arts pavilion, there are also plenty of chances for recreation. The park has a disc golf course, athletic fields for football, soccer, and baseball, tennis courts, and walking trails. If you prefer to take things a little slower, there’s a playground for the kids and numerous picnic areas for relaxation. The park has waterfront views as well as a boat ramp and kayak launch for a day on the lake.

There’s also the Charles Wood Japanese Garden, an all-volunteer charity dedicated to promoting education, environmental tourism, and arts and culture. Founder Charles Wood earned the Samuel Ullman award for his efforts to bring a Japanese walking garden to Mobile, and the garden has grown from a former fish hatchery into a true destination. Each April, for instance, the public is invited to the O-hanami, where luscious cherry blossoms can be observed and picnicked under. Free and open to the public, the garden has a studies center for Japanese culture and education. Classes there include calligraphy, flower arranging, and bonsai.

Residents of Beau Terra don’t have to go far to find everyday essentials. Near Highway 98, the Piggly Wiggly is a local landmark grocery store and farmer’s market. The family-owned business has been operating for more than 50 years and has evolved into a regional chain. Organic and other fresh produce arrives daily from area farmers, giving customers a wide variety to choose from. The first self-service grocery, Piggly Wiggly gives back to the community through local charities and in-store events.

Another family-owned business is Ranch Seafood. Serving locals for over a decade, this eatery uses only fresh Gulf Coast seafood for classic fare like fried or steamed fish and crab claws. For even more delicious dishes, you only have to travel south of Beau Terra to Old Shell Road. This commercial corridor provides all manner of cuisine, including Middle Eastern. Jerusalem Café specializes in such fare as baba ghanoush and has won numerous accolades for having the best ethnic food in Mobile as well as reader’s choice awards. Try the grilled shrimp with feta or a beef kabob for a unique dining experience.

Served by the Mobile County Public Schools system, Beau Terra is home to Forest Hill Elementary, which helps students lay a firm educational foundation by challenging them to master core concepts like reading comprehension and arithmetic. Scarborough Model Middle School opened in 1968 as the first middle school in Mobile. Since then, it's added numerous sports teams and extracurricular activities like Robotics-STEM club, model ambassadors and math team. Blount High School has four specialized career academies including ones for allied health, business, human services and industrial manufacturing.

Only eight miles from Downtown, Beau Terra is a midtown neighborhood close to major roadways that offers residents a quiet home minutes away from some of Mobile’s greatest attractions.

Written By

K.T. Phillips

Photography Contributed By

Justin Hartley

Video By

Victoria York