Bayous, swamps, pirates and voodoo. It’s these 4 ingredients that help make the brew for Louisiana’s 8 most haunted places. Look y’all , we could have a whole list to itself for New Orleans, and we may. But, this list is dedicated to the state of Louisiana. So y’all don’t get your boos in a bunch.
- The Myrtles Plantation – St. Francisville – Considered one of the Most Haunted Homes In America by most paranormal experts, this 1796 Antebellum house is located in St. Francisville. About 25 miles from Baton Rouge. A young girl apparition has shown up in multiple pictures. The house has been featured on many shows and magazines including The Travel Channel and National Geographic.
- Manchac Swamp – Laplace – This is the home to the spirit of Voodoo priestess Julia Brown. In 1915 the day before she died she was heard singing this over and over: “One day I’m gonna die, and I’m gonna take all of you with me.” As they buried her the next day, a Cat 4 hurricane hit killing 100s. Many say they can here her scream and sing in the Swamp…. oh yeah…there’s reportedly a werewolf in the swamp also. Many tours are available by kayak and swamp buggy if you dare.
- St. Louis Cemetery #1 – New Orleans- Built in 1789, the first of 3 St. Louis cemeteries. In New Orleans, cemeteries full of above-ground tombs are called cities of the dead. The notorious Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau is buried in this cemetery and voodoo societies still visit it daily to leave offerings in return for the Voodoo Queen’s blessing. Restless spirits are said to roam the cemetery, and visitors have claimed to see manifestations of ghosts walking through the rows of tombs, photos display eerie orbs throughout the cemetery.
- Calcasieu Courthouse – Lake Charles – Calcasieu Courthouse is said to be haunted by Toni Jo McQuiston , a murderess and the only female to die in Louisiana’s electric chair. Ever since then, folks say her ghost whispers, and occasionally screams; her perfume wafts in the air; and her footsteps echo throughout the building.
- The Bentley Hotel – Alexandria – Opening in 1908, has welcomed everybody from Dwight D Eisenhower to John Wayne. Still visited by the ghost of the man who built the hotel, Joseph Bentley. Several other mischievous ghosts are said to haunt this place. One is the ghost of a young girl who fell to her death down the elevator shaft. Another is a man that died from a fall off the grand staircase in 1985. Figures have also been seen peeking over the railings above the grand staircase.
- LaLaurie Mansion – New Orleans- Marie Delphine Macarty ,more commonly known as Madame Blanque, until her third marriage, when she became known as Madame LaLaurie, was a New Orleans Creole socialite and serial killer who tortured and murdered slaves in her household.
- Shreveport Municipal Auditorium – Hendrix and Elvis played here. Apparently some never left. There is the door near the foyer which opened and shuts on its own. Disembodied voices have been heard, as well as other strange sounds. There is reportedly a young girl in a blue dress who runs around the auditorium and visitors are often told to keep an eye out for her. Some visitors have even heard a woman moaning in the basement bathroom. According to legends, during the Louisiana Hayride a woman gave birth in the bathroom. People think that she comes back and relives the moment. Other audible sounds which can be heard in the auditorium are clapping and a voice that says “I love Johnny Cash”.
- Lafitte’s Blacksmith Bar (pictured above)– New Orleans- Makes the list because this writer and the Lafitte family are related. One of the oldest buildings in the French Quarter (1722), of course it has to be haunted. And spy, hero, and pirate (or privateer if you will) Jean Lafitte has been spotted on more than one occasion, quietly lurking in the corner near the fireplace on the bottom floor. The second floor of the bar is said to be haunted by another ghost, a woman, who likes to whisper in the ears of unsuspecting victim
