Jean Lafitte.

The Pirate Jean Lafitte of Galveston

The privateer Jean Lafitte arrived on the Island in 1817 making it his base of operations and naming it Campeche. The little village contained huts for the pirates, a large slave market, boarding houses for visiting buyers, a shipyard, saloons, pool halls, gambling houses and Lafitte's own mansion, the "Maison Rouge."

General James Long attempted to recruit Lafitte to help make Texas independent from Spain and Mexico but Lafitte remained neutral. In 1820 Mexico won independence from Spain, but Lafitte stayed on the Island. After Lafitte's attack on an American ship, he was forced to abandon his operations here in May 1821. Before leaving, he held a huge party for his pirates with wine and whiskey and burned his settlement. It is believed that he had buried treasure on the Island, but it has never been found.

In 1821, Jane Long, while waiting for the return of her husband General James Long, became "The Mother of Texas" giving birth to the first Anglo-Saxon native Texan, Mary Jane Long on Bolivar Peninsula. Gen. Long had been killed in Mexico.

In 1836, four ships of the Texas Navy made headquarters on the Island and protected the Texas coast from harassment by the Mexican Navy. These ships prevented supplies and men from reaching Santa Anna, insuring victory for Sam Houston's army at San Jacinto, 22 miles northwest of Galveston.

• Galveston Cruises

History of Galveston

There are many things to talk about when inquiring about Galveston History. We have chose a few of the most popular topics.

• The Pirate Lafitte

• Founders

• Great Storm of 1900

• Seawall Raising

We hope you find this information useful and hope you choose us for your one of your next cruises from Galveston.  Remember that we specialize in Galveston Cruises.