The undeveloped site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans was purchased Alexander Baron, who had the original house constructed in 1832-1833 for the purpose of providing his widowed mother-in-law (Madeline Pannetier Malus) with a summer residence. The original construction was in the French Creole style and it remained that way until 1856, when it was remodeled in the Greek Revival style, adding eight large Tuscan columns, Greek Revival mantels, and other features throughout. Rene Beauregard (eldest son of General P. G. T. Beauregard) purchased the Malus House in 1880. Beauregard maintained the house until 1904, when he sold the property to the New Orleans Terminal Company (NOTC). The State of Louisiana purchased the property in 1948 and it was transferred to the National Park Service (NPS) in 1949 for incorporation into the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park (Chalmette Battlefield Unit) as a visitor center. The house has been remodeled a number of times and in 2010, the National Park Service ceased use of the structure as a visitor center. A 2018 conditions report for the NPS cited an extensive list of issues which must be addressed.