The Pirate Ship

 

501 East Maxan St.

 

    The Texas coast gained importance to Mexico, the U.S., and to smugglers from both countries during the 1800’s. Legend has it that the famous gentlemen pirate (he preferred the term privateer) Jean Lafitte took refuge in this area and dug a well in nearby community of Laguna Vista.  

    Local ranchers formed business alliances with pirates who sailed their contraband between the Rio Grande and Corpus Christi. During the 1830’s, Don Rafael Garcia established El Fronton de Santa Isabel (Point Isabel) to become the base for the growing Port of Matamoros and the privateer fleet.

    There are plenty of stories of long lost treasure to go along with the tales of Jean Lafitte and other lesser known captains. While the truth is buried somewhere in history, this isolated land was indeed part of the pirate history.