Tourists who flock to the French Quarter every year bring back memories in the photographs they take. But can it be possible that more is developing in those photos than meets the naked eye?

 

Famous psychic ghost hunter, Mickey of Miami says, "possibly these haunted balcony images contain proof of spirit activity in the old haunted Vieux Carre". And she asks that others not only check their pictures, but a full investigation should start right away.

Several seasoned tourists have been startled to see appearing in their vacation photographs the amorphous, wispy images of otherworldly inhabitants taking in the passing parade of the old cityfrom a balcony view.

Many photos containing anomalies peculiar to the New Orleans balcony have been submitted for review and on first inspection it is easy to dismiss some of the images as haze or sunlight on the lens. But taking a closer look often uncovers a mysterious resonance in the photos - as if the images are the imprints of city dwellers that have gone on long before. The balconies of New Orleans have seen a lot in their centuries of grandeur. Most of them are made of wrought iron in a process that precedes the age of factory production; the iron was literally scored and hammered by hand, and much of the energy of the artist still seems to linger on in the iron’s strength and endurance. Can it be possible that some blacksmiths continue to be proud of their work from beyond the grave?

The balconies sometimes form a fairy like ring around homes and apartments that are alive and bustling with life above the French Quarter streets. There have been stories told of residents seeing old friends waving to them from a balcony, only to learn later that day that their friend had passed and the greeting they received was from the other side!

Families enjoying Mardi Gras festivities have reported being accompanied, sometimes all night, by mysterious visitors that no one seemed to immediately recognized. The visitors, never confronted by residents who think them merely more friends of friends out to enjoy the scene, sometimes join in throwing beads to the crowds below or drinking and having a good time. But later that night or the next morning no one seems to recall inviting the “guest” or can tell who the ghostly visitor might have been.

Some balconies surmount tall poles that are topped with grim spikes. These are called Bachelor’s Spikes, or Bear Claws and they were designed into the poles and balconies to keep ardent suitors from the French windows of the fair Creole maids. Occasionally, a daring bachelor, perhaps with passion burning too fervently in his chest, would try to brave the grappling spikes. There are many reports of suitors receiving fatal wounds from the balcony spikes. Can it be that some have come back to repeat the act over and over throughout eternity?

So the next time you visit New Orleans, as you walk through the bustling streets and quaint alleys of the old Quarter, remember to look up and wave. You might just be greeting a visitor from the past, a revenant spirit from another domain!

Ghost Story and Ghost Photo submissions by our readers compiled by J.J. Mccay

Wrought iron balconies lining the narrow streets of Haunted New Orleans historic Vieux Carré are just one of the French Quarter's most prominent and memorable features.

Ghostly Tales of Haunted New Orleans Balconies
Readers’ submissions reveal the presence of ghostly inhabitants with a bird’s eye view of the Haunted French Quarter!


In recent weeks Haunted America Tours featured a report on the numerous haunted balconies overlooking the New Orleans French Quarter. Since that time, readers have made submissions detailing their personal experiences – sightings and ghostly encounters among the lacey wrought iron glades that overlook the streets of the Old Quarter.

On a balcony overlooking the quaint cobblestones of Royal Street the ghost of a beautiful young Creole girl has been sighted. Dressed all in white, the young woman is seen pacing the balcony in the early evening hours, when the sky is sapphire overhead. One report tells of the young woman flinging herself over the railing of a third story balcony. The event was witnessed by several people some of whom ran to the spot where the woman appears to land. When they arrive, they find nothing – no one in the street or anywhere around. Another report tells of the same young woman spotted crying and wringing her hands over the side of the balcony in the evening light. Shop owners in the stores below the balcony have nicknamed the ghost “Juliet” and say this is because she seems to be waiting on a Romeo who never arrives.

A condominium balcony overlooking Jackson Square is apparently the scene of a reenactment of a fist fight from another century. The current resident tells of being awakened in the dead of night by the raised voices of men arguing; the scuffle of feet is heard as the voices seem to move back and forth on the balcony. The resident tells of seeing the forms of two men in 18th century clothing pushing each other on the balcony. At one point, one of the ghosts appears to break away and runs out of sight. When the owner investigates, there was no one to be found anywhere on the antique balcony.

Another secluded balcony overlooking the residential end of Bourbon Street is the scene of a tryst from another time. A resident who lives across from the haunted balcony reports seeing the near transparent forms of a man and a woman in “old time” clothing sharing a kiss on the balcony. The couple is reported to disappear into thin air at the slightest movement from the street below. One report of this sighting indicates that there is no set time for the apparitions to appear, and one report tells of the amorous couple appearing in the bright sunlight. Perhaps a testimony to a love that has truly transcended time?

Mardi Gras Balcony Ghost top right.

A hotel balcony popular with the Mardi Gras crowds is the apparent scene of a perpetual high school prom party. There have been several reports of sightings of debutantes in white prom dresses and young men in suits and ties laughing and socializing on the modern balcony to the sound of music that was popular in the 1930’s. The hairstyles of the men and the women’s dresses confirm that this is a happy scene from a simpler time.

The balcony at one popular night spot is the apparent location of a haunting by two famous ghosts of rock and roll. The bar, popular with 1970’s rock bands, is located on the Rampart side of the quarter. No longer the destination it once was, employees nonetheless have reported that they have encountered the spirits of two legendary drummers in the vacant upstairs area. The ghost of Led Zeppelin’s late drummer John Bonham is reported to still be playing pool in the upstairs room; he appears complete with the “crack” of the balls on the pool table. And Bonham is said to have the company of deceased Who drummer Keith Moon who has apparently taken up residence in a wrought iron chair on the balcony outside – the chair is part of the sighting, because the balcony is presently in disrepair and no furniture is allowed outside.

And the ghost of Elvis Presley is said to appear on a Royal Street balcony near Esplanade Avenue. Elvis, who lived in the French Quarter during the filming of his famous movie “King Creole,” is said to appear as the handsome young man who ignited the teenybopper rebellion of the 50’s – slick black hair and a white T-shirt. Elvis is seen “just looking” down Royal Street before disappearing, sometimes right before the eyes of onlookers.

A balcony overlooking Bourbon Street near the intersection of St. Ann is apparently the scene of the reenactment of a tragedy from another time. Reports tell of a young black workman seen standing on the railing of the third story balcony, apparently making repairs to the ironwork. Many locals taking the air on nearby balconies have reported seeing the man: his appearance is apparently not sensational, except perhaps for his precarious position. But suddenly the sighting becomes all too real with a horrible cry of “OH GOD! NO!” followed by what sounds every bit like a “thud” on the cement below. When nearby residents rush down to the street level they are puzzled to find that there is no sign of the fallen worker and that nothing is unusual. When attempts are made to report the incident to the shop owners at street level, the response is usually a roll of the eyes and another opportunity to tell the story of the “workman’s ghost” once again. A variation of this troubling tale is that sometimes no sighting accompanies the sound, and those who hear he horrible scream at first have no idea where it has come from. Assuming the worst, several concerned people have walked several blocks attempting to locate the source of the sound, certain that someone has just injured himself.

The balconies of New Orleans, haunted or not, are a unique architectural wonder that adds to the unique flavor and character of this most European of American cities. These iron masterpieces have witnessed centuries of history and are lovingly preserved by their owners and caretakers to this day. This alone is reason enough to stop and look up when you are visiting the quaint old streets of Haunted New Orleans. But the possibility that you may sight a ghost on one of these beautiful elevated oases is very, very real. These beautiful old “nests” are as much a part of New Orleans as jazz and jambalaya, and so are the uneasy dead who inhabit them, gazing out over Haunted New Orleans.

An interesting sighting on a St. Philip Street balcony is that of a man in 18th century garb who appears to be spreading some sort of grease or oil on the wrought iron poles of the second story balcony. He seems oblivious to gawking onlookers, one of whom even called out to him asking what he was doing. The sight of men in 18th century garb is not unusual in New Orleans, where history tours and carriage drivers often don antique clothing. But the sight of a man in 18th century clothes busy at an 18th century task, who disappears before one’s eyes, is highly uncommon and to some downright disturbing. The man is apparently busy spreading lard on the balcony poles with only one possible purpose: to keep aggressive suitors from climbing up the poles in an effort to reach eligible young ladies within. The only problem with this scenario is that such practices disappeared with the Civil War (except during Mardi Gras … ) and usually the man thus occupied is neither transparent nor is he able to disappear into thin air, as the gentleman on the St. Philip balcony is reported