Galveston in Galveston County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Jean Lafitte

Photographed by Gary Estep, December 31, 2025

1. Jean Lafitte Marker

Inscription.
Notorious pirate. Settled here in 1817 with his buccaneers and ships; under Mexican flag, continued his forays against Spanish shipping in the Gulf.
On this site, he built his home, Maison Rouge (Red House), which was part of his fort; and upper story was pierced for cannon. It was luxuriously furnished with booty from captured ships.

Leaving Galveston in 1821, upon demand of the United States, he burned his home, fort and whole village; then sailed to Yucatan.

In 1870, present structure was built over old cellars and foundations of Maison Rouge.

Erected 1965 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 7508.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1817.

Location. 29° 18.628′ N, 94° 47.107′ W. Marker is in Galveston, Texas, in Galveston County. It is on Harborside Drive, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1415 Harborside Drive, Galveston TX 77550, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Near Campsites of Louis-Michel Aury and Francisco Xavier Mina (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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Homesite of Dr. William Keiller (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Washington Grover House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dominican Sisters (approx. 0.2 miles away); Galveston Immigration Stations (approx. 0.2 miles away); Victor Gustafson Home (approx. ¼ mile away); Isaac Heffron House (approx. ¼ mile away); Landes-McDonough House (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galveston.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Henry Rosenberg Home (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Jean Lafitte (Maison Rouge) Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Gregory Walker, April 11, 2010

2. Jean Lafitte (Maison Rouge) Marker

Photographed by Gregory Walker, April 11, 2010

3. Jean Lafitte (Maison Rouge) Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. This page has been viewed 4,744 times since then and 196 times this year. Last updated on December 17, 2019, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on December 31, 2025, by Gary Estep of Anna, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on May 7, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.