Grand Isle in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Grand Isle
Circa 1781
Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, November 25, 2016
1. Grand Isle Marker
Inscription.
Grand Isle. Circa 1781. One of several barrier islands formed about one thousand years ago when the Mississippi River flowed through Bayou Lafourche on its way to the Gulf of Mexico. Today Grand Isle is Louisiana's best known island resort. The Island was settled during the years of Spanish rule in Louisiana and from 1781-1787 four Royal Land Grants were given by Governor Galvez to Jacques Rigaud, Joseph Caillet, Francois Anfrey and Charles Dufresne. In the early 1800s, Jean Lafitte, claimed by many to be a pirate though he called himself a privateer, inhabited the area operating a fort and a slave barracoon.
One of several barrier islands formed about one thousand years ago when the Mississippi River flowed through Bayou Lafourche on its way to the Gulf of Mexico. Today Grand Isle is Louisiana's best known island resort. The Island was settled during the years of Spanish rule in Louisiana and from 1781-1787 four Royal Land Grants were given by Governor Galvez to Jacques Rigaud, Joseph Caillet, Francois Anfrey and Charles Dufresne. In the early 1800s, Jean Lafitte, claimed by many to be a pirate though he called himself a privateer, inhabited the area operating a fort and a slave barracoon.
Location. 29° 14.58′ N, 89° 58.644′ W. Marker is in Grand Isle, Louisiana, in Jefferson Parish. Marker is on State Highway 1 east of Willow Lane, on the left when traveling east. Located in front of the Grand Isle Civic Center/Multi Purpose building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Grand Isle LA 70358, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 32 - Pounder (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Livingston (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Grand Isle
Regarding Grand Isle. A "barracoon" as mentioned in the marker text was a holding cell for slaves. Jean Lafitte (c. 1780 – c. 1823), as a French pirate or privateer, would hijack slave ships in the Gulf of Mexico area.
Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, November 25, 2016
2. Grand Isle Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2016, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 621 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 27, 2016.
