History of Grand Isle Louisiana 

by Irvin L. Magri Jr.

Geographic Location

Grand Isle is a natural sub-tropical island, basicly located at 29.2N-90.00W.  The island is approx. 7.5 miles long and 1 mile wide at its widest point.  It lies directly below the city of New Orleans as the crescent city is located basicly at 30.0N-90.00W.  Grand Terre directly to the east was the headquarters of the famed privateer (some would disagree with this statement and say 'pirate') Jean Lafitte and his brother Pierre Lafitte as well as Nez Coupe Chighizola, and Dominique You.  The island is washed by the Gulf of Mexico surf on the south side of the island and Caminada Bay on thWe north.  Caminada Pass seperates Grand Isle from the mainland and Barataria Pass seperates it on the east from Grand Terre.  Barateria Pass is located at 29 16.13N and 89 56.72W, while Caminada Pass is located at 29 11.78N and 90 02.49W.   To the east of Grand Terre is Coupe Abel Pass located at 29 18.02N and 89 54.07W.  To the east of Coupe Abel is Four Bayou Pass located at 29 18.65N and 89 51.40W.  If you drew a line due south of Grand Isle Louisiana you would be near the Mexican town of Meridan in the Yucatan.  Grand Isle is Louisiana's only inhabited island.  It has been incorporated as a Town since 1959 and is the southern most incorporated Town in the entire state of Louisiana.  The Caminada bridge connects Grand Isle from the mainland to the island on Highway 1, which is the oldest and longest highway in the state.  The Grand Isle State Park East is located at the extreme eastern end of Grand Isle and has full facilities including showers, RV hookups, observation platforms, bathrooms, and untill Hurricane Katrina a beautiful 400' long pier that extended into the Gulf of Mexico and was an extremely popular fishing location.  Directly next to the State Park is our United States Coast Guard base. Grand Isle is the island gem of Louisiana and one of the very best saltwater fishing spots in North America. 

On June 30th 2009 The state of Louisiana, through the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries dedicated the ultra-modern Research Lab at the end of Ludwig Lane. This facility is one of the most modern fisherie lab in the United States today. This lab will greatly assisst our Wildlife Fisherie Department in monitoring the growth, stability and population of numerous species of fish, shrimp, crabs, etc. for the benefit of all citizens. This facility cost the State of Louisiana approximately 23 million dollars and is truely a wor;d class facility. Special thanks goes to Governors Mike Foster, Kathleen Blanco and Bobby Jindal, for their foresight in seeing this tremendous asset to both Grand Isle and The Great State of Louisiana.

According to several noted archaeologists,  Grand Isle is approxiamately 12000 years old. Of course its first human inhabitants were Indians. The Indians were obviously attracted by the abundant supply of food and its warm sub-tropical climate that the Island enjoys, including its usually mild winters.

Of course the very name Grand Isle brings to memory the famous privateer or as some would say pirates that sailed her waters and made Grand Terre and Grand Isle their home and pirate base. We speak of of couse,Jean Lafitte,his brother Pierre Lafitte,his trusted and loyal lieutentants Nez Coupee (cut nose in French) and Dominick You to mention just a few.

Jean Lafitte,who it is thought by many to have a father of French decent and a mother of Mexican heritage based his operations and also used Grand Isle. Grand Terre and Grand Isle are "sister islands" seperated only by Barataria Pass on the east end of Grand Isle and the west end of Grand Terre.

It was Jean Lafiite,Pierre Lafitte,Nez Coupe,Dominck You and his band of pirates that greatly assisted General Andrew and his men in soundly defeating the British at the Battle of New Orleans on a very cold January 8,1815 at Chalmette. This was the greatest American victory on American soil as The Americans lost 13 men and the British Army undet General Packenham lost over 2,000 red coats within 60-90 miniutes. Many historians unfortunately miss this historical fact. Lafitte and his brave band honorably defended New Orleans,then the 4th largest city in the United State and her second largest seaport.

This author and writer,Irvin L.Magri,Jr. who resides full-time and year round on Grand Isle and has been on the island on and off since 1947,and his parents before him would respectfully urge interested indiviuals to read the book,"Fonville Winans' Louisiana by Cyril E.Vitter and published by the LSU Press in Baton Rouge,Louisiana. This is a tremendous book with many,many old and historic photographs of Grand Isle. It is truly a "must read" book ny anyones standards.

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