Grand Terre Island

 island  Add category

 Upload a photo

A barrier island to the East of Grand Island, Louisiana.In the early 1800's Grand Terre was used as a base of operations for the smugglers and pirates Jean and Pierre Lafite.At on time the island housed over 400 "Baratarians" as the pirate were then known.The island was ideally situated for smuggling.During the time of its use the U.S. government maintained strict control of all goods coming into the port of New Orleans.After a ship was plundered its goods were bought to the island and then went one of two ways.they could go east by pirouge up Bayou Lafourche all the way to the Mississippi then down stream to New orleans.Or they could go north into Barataria Bay then into the waterways that weave toward the westbank of the river south of New Orleans.The towns of Lafitte and Jean Lafitte are name after the more famous of the brothers.Jean gained national notoriety for the services he rendered in the defense of city during the Battle of New Orleans.