616 Pirates Alley

[Lot designation changed from 18492-01 to 18492-01_1 to differentiate it from adjacent lots with the same number.] The money for this purpose was contributed by William Ratcliffe Irby. The house was popularly known as the Calabozo, a reference to the Spanish prison previously occupying the site. When it was purchased by the State Museum, the Board considered the property less as an historically significant site than as a safeguard against the threat of fire to the adjacent Arsenal. It was given Accession No. 8014A. (The Jackson House, purchased at the same time from the Daughters of 1812, is 8014B). Initially, it served as a meeting place for the Louisiana Colonials and housed a collection of period furniture. In 1937, a group of French and Canadian dignitaries came to New Orleans. During the festivities celebrating their visit called "Souvenir Français," the house was formally dedicated the "Maison Creole," commemorating Franco-Louisiana relations. Therefore, it is now popularly known as the Creole House. At subsequent periods of State Museum occupancy, it has housed a collection of Spanish furniture (gift of the Spanish government), a Huey P. Long Memorial display, and, finally, the offices of the staff of the Louisiana State Museum. Note: The granite doorway, which was not original to the building, was added, Mr. Sam Wilson, Jr. believes, by Achille Peretti.

No record of when Achille Peretti bought the house back from Dr. William Lawrence Stevenson exists.

Perhaps collateral for a loan.

Transfer probably incurred due to outstanding loan from Mrs. Maria Christian to her husband, George Christian.

Probably a settlement of an estate.

The property passed into the hands of the Hugh Montgomery Dowlin's widow when he died in 1885 as part of his succession. The transfer of title took the form of a public sale.

Hugh Montgomery Dowlin, purchaser of the property, has by some sources been credited as the builder of the house. Records indicate otherwise.

Sheriff's Sale.

During Theodule Lauve's ownership of the property, he is believed to have constructed a house on the lot to serve as a residence, completed in 1842. He evidently ran out of money for the property, and it was sold by his creditors to the 1st Municipality again in 1842.

Sold as an empty lot. The site was originally occupied by the French Guard House of 1726 and the Spanish Calabozo of 1769. The Calabozo, or prison, was demolished in 1837.