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The Pirate House of Waveland - as described in me Eagle of 1954 Part of application for historical marker
_____Author: Russell B. Guerin, HCHS
Legends abound about the beautiful Pirate House, a magnificent edifice which once dominated the beach of Waveland for perhaps as long as a century and a half, until Hurricane Camille destroyed it in 1969.
Those legends - at least those that have some supportive evidence - will be treated in this report. For example, it is believed that the building was erected in 1802 by a New Orleans businessman who had a close connection with the pirate Jean Lafitte. There is reason to believe that an underground tunnel ran from the house to the beach. One part of the pirate legend relates to the illegal importation of slaves. And there are other colorful stories.
It is, however, perhaps sufficient just to know the attributes of the house in order to justify a historical marker, so remarkable were its architectural esthetics and imposing physical presence.
For this purpose, extensive use will be made of an article published in the Hancock County Eagle on March 4,1954. The author, Georgette B. Hall, was an eye-witness to what she reported. At the time, the Pirate House was owned by the Lister family. The following are excerpts from that article:
. .visitors to the ‘Pirate House’ can still see remains of the prison constructed of slave made bricks. The original bars in one of the cells are still in good condition, and although the entrances to the secret tunnels have been enclosed, they still exist.”
“The house is a perfect example of the Louisiana planter type, with its brick ground story and outer stairway leading to the first floor. The wide stairway has beautifully scrolled iron grillwork banisters which are reminiscent of the New Orleans Vieux Carre. The stairway leads to the spacious gallery, supported by white frame columns, and which extends across the length of the house. The three dormer windows on the front are beautifully proportioned.”
There was a	. .huge brass knocker on one of the massive mahogany doors.. .eight
by ten feet... cathedral shaped, set with large panels of French beveled glass....”
“The spacious living room .. .has an adjoining music room and a library. The living room is half paneled in mahogany and papered in tapestry paper made by Lancaster of England. This room has a white marble fireplace.”
“The library...is paneled in walnut from the floor to the ceiling.”
“In the music room there is another fine fireplace.”