Near Estelle, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Jean Lafitte

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 30, 2023

1. Jean Lafitte Marker

Inscription. Between 1805 and 1814 the privateer Jean Lafitte, led 1,000 men of dives (marker damaged) into one of the largest, although illicit, business enterprises of its day. With an alleged 99 vessels, Lafitte and his band of "Baratarians" supplied slaves and luxury goods to the wealthy planters along the Mississippi and to the residents of New Orleans.
Because he wanted it so, few facts are known about Jean Lafitte's life. We known that he provided supplies and men to General Andrew Jackson in the successful defense of New Orleans against the British in 1815, but the events of his life before and after this moment in history lie shrouded in the mists of the swamps and bayous through which he move.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1805.

Location. 29° 47.621′ N, 90° 7.42′ W. Marker is near Estelle in , Louisiana. Marker can be reached from Baratania Road (Parish Highway 45) near Lafitte Parkway (Parish Highway 3134). The marker is located on the Bayou Coquille Trail in Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Marrero LA 70072, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies.

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Sinking Land, Rising Water (approx. 0.8 miles away); Poblacion de Barataria (approx. 1.2 miles away); Barataria Preserve (approx. 1.8 miles away); Town of Jean Lafitte (approx. 2.7 miles away); Manila Village (approx. 4.1 miles away); Clark Cheniere (approx. 4.1 miles away); Woodlawn High School and the Struggle for Racial Equality (approx. 6.7 miles away); Mary Plantation (approx. 7½ miles away).

Also see . . . Jean Lafitte -- World History Encyclopedia. There were rumours he was buried near Mérida in Mexico, although this may have been his brother. The mysterious end to Lafitte's piracy and the idea that he may have escaped justice for his crimes immediately propelled him to legendary status as one of the last great pirates of the Americas. (Submitted on May 21, 2024, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Additional keywords. illicit activities

Jean Lafitte Marker(detail): Map of Jean Lafitte's Smuggling Routes image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 30, 2023

2. Jean Lafitte Marker(detail): Map of Jean Lafitte's Smuggling Routes

The headquarters of the "Barbarians" was located on Grand Terre, at the mouth of Barataria Bay on the Gulf of Mexico. According to local tradition, Lafitte used Bayou des Families and Bayou Coquille, along with other waterway, as smuggling routes fro Grand Terre to New Orleans.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 30, 2023

3. Jean Lafitte Marker

An 1879 woodcut of the Pirate Jean Lafitte or Laffite image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer

4. An 1879 woodcut of the Pirate Jean Lafitte or Laffite

Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2024, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 47 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 21, 2024, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.