Most Haunted Places in New Orleans

New Orleans is well known for its many ghost stories, gory historic events and mysteries, making it one of the most haunted cities in the United States. If you love ghost hunting and are planning a visit to New Orleans, then here are a few places you may want to consider.

St. Louis Cemetery
Not only is the St. Louis Cemetery considered the most haunted cemetery in New Orleans, it tops many lists for America's most haunted cemetery. It is the oldest cemetery in New Orleans, opening in 1788. A number of infamous and well known former residents have been lain to rest in St. Louis Cemetery, such as, Marie Laveau, a Voodoo priestess, Bernard de Marigny, Dominque You, Andre Cailloux, Danny Barker and Paul Morphy. Besides these notable residents, there are many more well known local politicians, musicians, and religious figures resting in the St. Louis Cemetery.

Marie Laveau, who is entombed in St. Louis no.1, is thought to haunt the cemetery. Marie can be seen and heard. She often walks in the graveyard wearing a knotted turban, that is red and white. While walking she is clearly heard saying a New Orleans Santeria Voodoo curse. Voodoo partakers in New Orleans say that Marie also appears as a black cat with red eyes. If you see her in this form you must back away, and not turn around, while crossing yourself, to prevent being cursed.

Besides Marie there are a number of other ghosts seen in St. Louis no. 1. One of these ghosts is very friendly; his name is Alphonse. Alphonse, while harmless, will certainly give visitors a fright, as he is often known to take your hand. He is also seen taking flowers from other graves and putting them on his tomb.

Throughout the cemetery visitors will notice food and plates placed on tombs. These are offerings to the graveyard's spirits. It is important to visit St. Louis cemetery on a group tour. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, it is not safe to go to the cemetery on your own and secondly a tour guide can give you the best experience by filling you in on all the hauntings and history.

LaLalaurie House
Situated in New Orleans's French Quarter, LaLalaurie house has a history of hauntings that goes back over 150 years. The house is considered to be the most haunted in the French Quarter. When the LaLalaurie family moved into the house it became the place to get an invite and Mrs. LaLalaurie was the most admired woman in the city. She was also known to be one of the best hostesses, spoiling her guests. However, Mrs. LaLalaurie had a very dark side and some even claimed to know for certain that she was insane. As was common in wealthy households of the day, LaLalaurie House was cared for by slaves. However, Mrs. LaLalaurie was said to be particularly cruel. It is said she chained her cook up in the kitchen, was seen chasing her personal young servant girl with a whip, which ended with the girl jumping from the house's roof and dying. Word spread of her treatment of her slaves and the family was soon avoided.

In 1834 a fire destroyed the house. When investigating the incident, fire fighters went into the house's attic and found a grizzle scene. In the attic were at least 12 slaves. They were either chained up or in a cage. They had been abused and tortured with body parts cut off, mouths sewn shut and bones broken. After this discovery the locals began insisting on justice and the family fled, never to be heard or seen from again.

Since then the house has been the scene of horrible hauntings, with residents and new owners never staying long. There have been reports of a ghost chasing children with a whip, screaming and other noises. Currently the house is the location of luxury apartments.

St. Louis Cathedral
St. Louis Cathedral was the congregation of Pere Dagobert from 1745, a priest that was much loved by the local people for his kindness and compassion. Pere arrived in New Orleans 19 years before the city was given to Spain and the subsequent uprising. When Spain gained control of New Orleans in 1766 a rebellion was organized. The leaders were all friends with Pere Dagobert. In 1769 the rebellion was quashed and the leaders executed. The commander for the Spanish refused to allow a burial for the rebels and one night Pere Dagobert managed to get the bodies to St. Louis Cathedral where he told the families to come for a proper burial.

Today just next to St. Louis Cathedral there is a man's voice heard singing the song 'Kyrie'. It is believed that this man is Pere Dagobert.

Lanaux Mansion
If you want to stay in a haunted house then Lanaux Mansion may interest you. Lanaux Mansion is a bed and breakfast that was built in 1876. The house has been restored to its original state and is a wonderful way to experience traditional New Orleans, so long as you are not afraid of ghosts.

The ghosts that haunts Lanaux Mansion is the house's original owner, Charles Johnson. Charles was a private man who, despite his dreams for a family, died having never married. Charles has often been seen walking through the house's halls dressed in a black morning cost. He is not thought to be a scary ghost.

This is only the tip of what New Orleans's has to offer ghost hunters and it is definitely worth looking into it more before a visit. There are many haunted locations around that city that you can visit on a ghost tour and many hotel and bed and breakfasts that have their own resident ghosts.

Sources:
St. Louis Cathedral Ghost
St. Louis Cathedral Ghost
Haunted Places New Orleans
New Orleans Ghost History