Daphne (/ˈdæfniː/) is a city in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States, on the eastern shoreline of Mobile Bay.

The inhabited history of what is now called Daphne dates at least to the Paleo-Indian period and Native American tribes around 9000 BC.

[5] From Native American, to the Spanish, French and British, the city has seen a lengthy parade of historic influences which gives Daphne its present character.

A variety of Native American populations visited the area that would become Daphne including Tensaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole.

[4] Initially, these groups enjoyed an economy based upon hunting and scavenging but as time passed production of weapons and pottery became more advanced.

[4][6] By 1500, the zenith of Native American culture in South Alabama, it is estimated that a community of about 5,000 lived within 50 miles of the seacoast.

[3] Daphne and the surrounding land shifted between English, French, Spanish and United States control.

[5][6] In November 1814, U.S. General Andrew Jackson crossed the bay with 3,000 troops, marched east to Pensacola and defeated the British thus finalizing American control over Daphne.

Alesandro Mastro Valero purchased land in Daphne to locate a refuge for Italian immigrants looking for a more pastoral alternative to the large urban cities of the north.

[9] This small-town church quickly gained the recognition of the Queen of Italy, Margherita of Savoy, who in 1898 sent a gift of rich vestments, an illuminated missal, a chalice, monstrance, candlesticks and other articles, and all are still on display in the present Christ the King Catholic Church, the cornerstone of which was laid in 1937.

[6][11] According to another account, given in 1956 in an interview of one of the persons involved in the transfer, there was no raid; the arrangements for the move were made in advance between officials in both towns, and the county records were quietly loaded into wagons over a five-hour period on the evening of October 11, 1901, and then driven to Bay Minette the next day.

[13] In July 1997, Hurricane Danny struck the gulf coast bringing high winds and rains to the area.

[14] Hurricane Ivan made landfall in September 2004, south of Daphne near Gulf Shores, Alabama.

[14] In February 2008, Daphne became the last of the large cities in Baldwin County to enact a public smoking ban.

After contentious council meetings,[2] the ban was passed while exempting bars, private clubs and up to 30% of rooms in a hotel.

[15] In November 2010, the Daphne City Council enacted a ban against texting while driving, becoming the first Mobile-area municipality to do so.

The topography of Daphne is quite consistent from a gently sloping sea level on the west to low rolling hills further east.

Biologists believe the phenomenon is due to a possible decrease in water oxygen levels which force the fish to the surface.

[20] Nearby communities include: Fairhope, Spanish Fort, Loxley, Mobile, Point Clear, Robertsdale, Silverhill, Summerdale, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Bay Minette, Foley, Magnolia Springs, Elberta, Belforest, and Malbis.

[5] Daphne, like the surrounding Baldwin and Mobile counties, was settled by persons of varying nationalities who eventually melded into the American experiment.

[29] The economy is further supported by access to nearby Mobile, and large retail operations in Spanish Fort, just to the north.

[31] 70% of the $305 million budget pays salaries countywide[32] Like much of the nation, Daphne saw the economy plummet during the 2008 recession.

[33] However construction is underway by Airbus to build the A320 commercial jet at nearby Brookley Field in Mobile.

Daphne is part of Alabama's 1st congressional district and is represented by Congressman Barry Moore (American politician).

The United States Sports Academy is an independent school offering sport-specific residential and online distance learning programs.

Daphne Public Utilities provides water, sewer and natural gas services to the city.

[43] The utility operates 12 water wells, seven waste treatment facilities and dozens of pumping stations throughout the city.

[44] In 2009, the Utilities board was selected by the Wall Street Journal as one of the top 35 small workplaces in America.

[43] In October 2013, Daphne Utilities approved a water and sewage rate hike of $21 million over three years.

Because of Daphne's proximity to the coast, all utilities prepare for tropical storms and hurricanes which often impact delivery of services.