District in Mobile · Mobile County
Oakleigh Garden Historic District
Oakleigh Garden Historic District surrounds Washington Square and Oakleigh Place in Mobile.
Historic homes, Government Street rentals and current bus connections
About Oakleigh Garden Historic District
Oakleigh Garden Historic District surrounds Washington Square and Oakleigh Place in Mobile. Government Street has apartment buildings and Second Line bus connections; locally designated homes also have an exterior-work approval process.
Historic homes and exterior changes
Oakleigh Garden is a locally designated historic district around Washington Square, Oakleigh Place and Government Street. The city’s Architectural Review Board map includes residential blocks on both sides of Government Street and notes that local historic districts can differ from National Register districts.
For a home within the local district, Mobile requires approval before exterior work, including fences and driveways. Historic Development staff can issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for minor repairs; other changes go to the review board.
A rental example on Government Street
Garden District Apartments, at 1053 Government Street, occupies two buildings with 20 apartments. On October 23, 2026, its operator advertised one-bedroom, one-bath rents of $950–$1,175; the posted range does not establish that a particular home is available.
The property lists private washers and dryers in 12 apartments and shared laundry for eight. Central heating and cooling is listed for 12 apartments, and monthly pest control is included for all. It also lists a private parking lot and lockable bicycle storage.
Government Street and Broad Street buses
Second Line Transit’s Route A follows Government Street toward downtown’s GM&O center in one direction and Bel Air Mall and Providence Hospital in the other. The operator lists hourly service on weekdays and Saturdays, with stops at Government and Rapier and Government and Ann.
Route I links GM&O and Airbus on weekdays, with Broad Street stops near Augusta, Selma and Texas streets. Its published frequency is every 30 minutes. Regular bus fare is $1.25, and neither route has Sunday service.
Washington Square and the nearby main library
Washington Square is the neighborhood’s public park at 251 Chatham Street. Mobile Parks and Recreation’s facility listing gives daily hours of 6 a.m.–8 p.m. The square is distinct from the ticketed Oakleigh house museum on Oakleigh Place.
East of the district, Ben May Main Library at 701 Government Street provides public computers, Wi-Fi and remote printing. Its location page lists 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday–Thursday and 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Friday–Saturday, with earlier closing on parade nights.
Sources & data notesReferences, reporting periods, and how to use this information
Information on this page is compiled from multiple sources and provided for general information. It may be incomplete or out of date, and we do not guarantee its accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. Independently verify important details with the original source, relevant authority, or a qualified professional before making decisions.
Statistics keep their reporting periods. Survey estimates are not current asking prices or quotes for an individual property. Displayed values are rounded.
- Local district identityBuild Mobile: local historic district mapsSource checked The city links its Oakleigh Garden ARB map, dated August 11, 2023. The map distinguishes local historic districts from National Register districts.
- Exterior-work approvalCity of Mobile: Historic Development FAQSource checked Prior approval applies to exterior work in local historic districts; staff certificates and board review depend on the proposed work.
- Rental exampleGarden District Apartments: rates and featuresSource checked Operator’s posted one-bedroom range checked October 23, 2026. Apartment features vary across the 20 homes; rates and vacancies can change.
- Government Street busSecond Line Transit: Route ASource checked Current A–K network; Route A connects GM&O and Providence via Government Street, Bel Air Mall and Airport Boulevard. Operator lists hourly weekday and Saturday service and directional stop lists.
- Broad Street busSecond Line Transit: Route ISource checked Current operator lists GM&O–Airbus weekday service every 30 minutes and Broad Street stops near the district.
- Transit fares and service daysSecond Line Transit: current fares and service daysSource checked Operator confirms the replacement of Wave, $1.25 bus fare and no Sunday service. Individual timetables determine first and last trips.
- Public squareMobile Parks and Recreation: Washington SquareSource checked City identifies the park at 251 Chatham Street. Its published map point anchors this page’s approximate district pin; no district boundary is displayed.
- Park hoursMobile Parks and Recreation: Washington Square facility listingSource checked Facility listing identifies a public park and daily 6 a.m.–8 p.m. hours.
- Nearby library servicesMobile Public Library: Ben May Main LibrarySource checked Location page lists Government Street address, computer/Wi-Fi/remote-printing services, weekday/Saturday hours and parade-night early closing. Sunday hours are seasonal.
- Nearby house museumHistoric Oakleigh House MuseumSource checked Operator identifies 350 Oakleigh Place, ticketed tours and historic-property access limitations. The museum is separate from Washington Square park.