October is finally here, which means it’s time to get your spook on! Louisiana’s history is without a doubt one of the more haunted. In the early colonial days, the city was fought over between the French and Spanish, each leaving their fingerprint in the food and architecture. Later, African slaves were brought against their will and brought their culture with them. Now, visitors from all over the world come to visit the melting pot of culture and religion, drawn in by the city’s unique history.
This post from Getting Stamped clues in both locals and visitors to where they can get the ultimate Louisiana haunted experience.
St. Louis Cemetery #1
This landmark was built in 1789 behind the French Quarter and houses approximately 100,000 of the cities dead. Chances are, some restless souls may still be haunting their final resting place, left to wander for centuries to come.
Visit the most prominent resident of the cemetery, the powerful Voodoo Priestess, Marie Laveau. Hoards of followers flock to her grave, following the local lore of knocking on her tomb three times, drawing “XXX”, and knocking three more times in hopes of having their wishes granted.
Get a Physic Reading from Cari Roy
Wanting to make with loved ones on the other side? Cari Roy, a renowned psychic and medium, will help you cross that barrier. She can tell you things about yourself and your family that no one could possibly ever know.
Her site claims she is “a professional psychic (that tunes) deeply into your being to see the who, what, and where details of your life experience and work with you to enhance and enrich all aspects of your journey. As a medium, I open myself to the spirits that wish to speak and to aid in bringing solace from our loved ones who have passed.”
She also gave Getting Stamped a few tips to finding paranormal activity. “Skip the cemeteries and focus on the buildings and places that meant something to people,” she says. Make sure to schedule a session with her and find out what’s happening on the other side.
The Hanging Jail
Actually called the Gothic Jail of DeRidder, built in 1915, is believed to be haunted by two men who were hanged for the murder of their taxi driver, hence the “The Hanging Jail”.
Louisiana Travel explains the story: Two men, Joe Genna and Molton Brasseaux, hired a taxi driver, Joe Brevelle, and promptly murdered him, dumping Joe’s body into the old Pickering Mill pond. The body was found and both men were convicted and hanged from the third-floor gallows. They still walk the floors of the Jail of DeRidder to this very day.
Jackson Square
Once the sight of public executions, multiple people claim they can spot the spirits of those who departed from this sight. You may also spot the ghost of monk Pere Dagobert walking through the square carrying a lantern.
The LaLaurie Mansion
This three-story mansion housed the LaLaurie family and is considered one of the most haunted places in the city. The LaLaurie family was known for the fact that they carried out torturous experiments and violently abused their slaves.
The story is, the abuse was so bad that one young girl flung herself to her death from a third-floor window. Another slave, who had been chained to a stove and beaten, began a fire while chained inside. Once the firemen and police came, the woman was badly burned and told them of the stories happening behind the walls. It’s estimated that 300 souls were murdered in the building at the hands of Delphine LaLaurie and her doctor husband.
The Voodoo Museum Voodoo is a highly respected practice in Louisiana, with its roots with the Western and Central African slaves brought into America. This specific practice uses trinkets to protect you and your family, or alternatively uses trinkets to bring harm to your enemies.
Hotel Monteleone If you see a child playing in the halls of this hotel, it may be spookier than you think.
In the late 1800s, the Begere family lost their son, Maurice, who succumbed to a fever, while staying at the Monteleone. The next night, Maurice’s mother saw him in the hotel, saying “Mommy, don’t cry. I’m fine.”
Guests who stay on the same floor Maurice died on have reported seeing a friendly child playing in the hallway. Some have even reported he enters their room while they are on their bed.
The Pharmacy Museum
The Monteleone Museum isn’t the only spot haunted by children. The Pharmacy Museum was once home to the first licensed pharmacist in the country, Louis Dufilho. Louis lost two young children while living here, and some people have reported seeing those two children playing in the courtyard behind the museum.
Later, the building was sold to a man names Dr. Dupas who reportedly used the building to perform experiments on pregnant slaves. Now, a ghost fitting the description of Dupas has been seen standing in the old pharmacy and is known to throw books and cause other mischievous trouble.
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