Top Ten Haunted Cemeteries New Orleans

HAUNTED NEW ORLEANS TOP 10 MOST SAID TO BE HAUNTED FOR YOU TO TOUR AND INVESTIGATE.

Not all of New Orleans cemeteries are open to tourists, and some have fallen on disrepair. However, there are Top Ten Haunted Cemeteries worth visiting:

 

1. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

Considered by locals visitors and paranormal investigators world wide as actually the most haunted cemetery No. # 1 haunted Cemetery in all the United States.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Some of the more interesting tombs in St. Louis Number One are a huge tomb that holds the remains of some of the participants in the Battle of New Orleans; chess champion Paul Morphy; New Orleans' first black mayor, Ernest N. "Dutch" Morial. But the most famous and interesting tomb here is said to be where Voodoo Queen Marie Leveaux is buried. People still visit her tomb to light candles, perform various religious acts and leave offerings. New Orleans' first black mayor, Ernest N. "Dutch" Morial is buried right next to her.

Across the street, with its front facing N. Rampart St., is Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, which originally was the mortuary chapel built to handle the funerals and last rites of victims of yellow fever in 1826. It is the oldest surviving church in the city.

Vault burial was introduced in New Orleans during the Spanish regime, and our oldest cemetery -- St. Louis No. 1 (1789) -- has society tombs built by the French Society, the Portuguese Benevolent Association, the Cervantes Mutual Benefit Society, the Italian Society, and the Orleans Battalion of Artillery.

This New Orleans graveyard is said to be haunted by the ghost of the world famous Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, Marie Laveau. Her spirit has been reported inside of the cemetery, walking between the tombs wearing a red and white turban with seven knots in it, and mumbling a original New Orleans Santeria Voodoo curse to Cemetery trespassers. Her Voodoo curse is loud and very audible, heard often by passerby's on nearby Rampart Street. Locals say this has started in recent years for she is alarmed by the many vandals and state of the cemetery.

Voudon Believers and Tourist and locals still come to Marie Laveaus tomb daily to leave many, many Voodoo offerings. (candles, flowers, the monkey and the cock wish statue, Mardi Gras beads and parade Krewe dabloons, Gris Gris bags, Money, Voodoo dolls and food) All in hopes of being blessed by her supernatural powers from beyond the grave. Many make a wish at her tomb marking three X's. while others say they have her Ghost on film emerging undead from her tomb.

Voodoos of the New Orleans Secret Society say her soul appears here as a shiny large black Voodoo cat, with fire red eyes. If you see this Were cat run! One New Orleans Voodoo Manbo suggest upon seeing this Devil cat, cross your self three times and back away. One should never let the cat see your back. If Marie's spirit, or Devil cat sees it... you will be cursed for ever to do her bidding.

Others say Marie laveaus familiar, her large snake that she called Zombi, (or spelled Zombie, or Zomby) is buried in the tomb with her body. One voodooist says he was placed in the coffin alive with Marie's dead body by her daughter Marie Laveau II . A story or two have been told over the years of people seeing a large black boa constrictor, or black anaconda over 12 feet long slithering amongst and between or through the tombs tight small allies. Always close to Marie Laveaus' tomb is Zombi, guarding it night and day. local New Orleans Voodooist say this is a great ghost snake spirit, not a real snake. A few young teenaged boys on a recent Haunted cemetery tour tried to catch Zombi, they said they chased him down a tight alley and Zombi just disappeared. Zombi's ghost has been said to be seen high atop Marie Laveaus' tomb basking in the noon day Sun. He protects her tomb from those that mock her says many of the Voodooist of Marie Laveaus secret Society. One tale of this ghost snake tells that Zombi followed a recent New Orleans visitor back to her hotel room. He appeared and began to wrap his coils around her as she slept, Zombi frightened her out of her wits. The reason, she spit on Marie Laveaus grave.

Often stories or told of Ghostly nude Voodoo Probationers in an eternal dark secret Ritual. Always after midnight and well into the early morning hours. With Marie laveaus' ghost dressed in white presiding over the ritual. Nude Voodoo Ghost dancers, male and female can be seen and heard in an orgy of spiritual Voodoo calling dow the power.

Many times fine china plates and cups and saucers and ornate silverware or found through out St Louis No.1 graveyard. Paranormal Investigators say this is part of the ancient wiccan practice of the occult. It is called the" Dumb Supper". This is a old ritual, a mock table setting of a meal. An two empty plates filled with invisible ghostly food. It is usually a setting for the ghost and the a setting for the person who questions the ghost. This is to call the dead to answer your most sought after questions. Sometimes wine glasses or even bottles of rum and or wine, cigars or packs of cigarettes, bags of chips, or candy or even many times a loaf of french bread. All this can be found placed before many of it's tombs. Visitors think it's litter, but if you look at how it is placed you then realize it is a special ghost offering to the spirits of the cemetery.

Other know and un known ghost haunt this cemetery, there is a ghost called by some Henry. This haunted Cemetery Ghost story tells that he gave his tomb to the lady who owned a boarding house to keep the papers for him if he died. Local workers for the cemetery say she sold the tomb when he was away at sea. When he returned he died and was buried in potters field. Every day his ghost is said to walk up to someone visiting the cemetery asking if they know the where about's of the Vignes' tomb. Many a tour guide has related the tale of Henry and have said how he appears ragged and lost. And his blue eyes will look right into yours. The tall white shirt dressed man seems very real. Until he walk away into thin air. Sometimes he will tap you on the shoulder, or lead you to a lone tight alley between tombs asking " Do you Know anything about this Tomb here?" Then he disappears. Henry has also been known to have walked up to people at burials and asked if they think there's room in the tomb for him! His voice often appears on EVP's saying I "I need to rest!" And in ghost Photos he appears in a Dark suit with no shirt.

Another well known ghost of St. Louis No.1 is that of Alphonse he is a lonely young man and will take you by the hand telling you his name and asking can you help him find his way home. He is also known by some to be seen carrying flowers and vases from other tombs and placing them on his own. Those who have seen him say he is afraid of a tomb with the name Pinead on it and is said to warn visitors to stay away from it. He always has a smile on his face but is said to start crying then just disappear. Alphonse has been Known to turn up in many of a ghost Photo.

Ghost cats and dogs are said to prowl the cemetery daily. Very near the great walls of oven tombs. None of these ghost animals have ever shown signs of meanness. Several Tour guides say these are the animals of an 1800's cemetery keepers guard dogs and pets. Often they lurk the cemetery waiting for their owner who was buried in St. Louis No.2 to return to feed and care for them.

Etienne Bore, pioneer in sugar development; and, Paul Morphy, world famous chess champion and many more are buried here.

"Easy Rider" featured Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda tripping out at St. Louis Cemetery No. 1,

Orbs, ghost photos, EVP"S, strange paranormal phenomena and ghost activity, Voodoo rituals, witchcraft, and haunting's to many to mention all happen in this the most haunted Cemetery in America

2. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

Lafayette No. 1 is the cemetery most often used in films made in New Orleans, and is across the street from the famed Commander's Palace Restaurant in the Garden Distict. It was the burial grounds for what was once the City Of Lafayette. You will find a number of prominent New Orleanians buried here. Designated a city burial site in 1833, Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is placed on the National Register of Historic Places by virtue of its significant history, location, and architectural importance.

"Interview with a Vampire" starred Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Kirsten Dunst. It was filmed throughout the French Quarter and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1,Dracula 2000", starring Johnny Miller and Omar Epps, .

Located in the Garden District, Washington Ave and Prytania, section of New Orleans and accessible by the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar.

Built in 1833, by 1852 - when 2000 yellow fever victims were buried here - the Garden District cemetery was filled to capacity. Today it is an eerie haunted place, with many tombs still sinking into the ground, and some of them slowly opening in the shadow of tangled trees. Near the downtown-side gate of Lafayette No. 1 Cemetery stands a tomb that, to a father's eyes, resembles a crib. Nestled within, according to the fading inscriptions, are the earthly remains of three siblings who in a matter of days fell victim to yellow fever.

Ghost stories and tales of the undead, Zombies and being burried alive. Many of these ghost tales are said to be just Cemetery urban legends... Others swear thia is the most haunted Cemetery for parnomal encounters and a feeling of being truly haunted.

It's no surprise that all this decaying grandeur should capture the imagination of local author Anne Rice, who has used the place in many of her books - she even staged a mock funeral here, to launch publication of Memnoch the Devil ; the corpse was herself, wearing an antique wedding dress, in an open coffin carried by pall bearers.

Tombs in Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 are constructed with a shelf near the top where recently deceased bodies are placed. The shelf doesn't extend all the way to the back so when it's time to add another body to the family tomb the previous bones can be pushed to the rear where they fall through joining any remains already present.

Regulations limit the opening of tombs to once a year, not nearly frequently enough during times like the yellow fever epidemics, so temporary "storage ovens" line some of the exterior walls in Lafayette Cemetery No. 1.

Hours:

Monday - Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Saturday: 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sunday & Holidays: Closed (Except Mother's Day, Father's Day and All Saint's Day)

 

3. Metairie Lakelawn Cemetery

5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. and founded in 1872, Metairie Lakelawn is entered in the National Register of Historic Places. It contains diverse cemetery architecture, including a Roman temple, an Egyptian Revival tomb, and the memorials of the Army of Tennessee and the Army of Northern Virginia. Open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, it can be safely toured. Go to the funeral home office for information.

This site was previously a horse racing track, Metarie Race Course founded in 1838. The great oval of the old racetrack can still be seen as part of the cemetery roadway system. Metairie Cemetery covers 150 acres with over 7,000 graves.

Many Local tales of ghost seen in Metarie Cemetery here day and night.

According to a story well known locally, one Charles T. Howard, a "new money" wealthy gentleman who came to the city from Baltimore, Maryland, was refused membership in the track's exclusive "Louisiana Jockey Club". In revenge, he purchased the track grounds and converted it into a cemetery. Some local historians accept the story, others say that the race grounds were sold due to financial stress. Either way, the cemetery was opened here in 1872, and the tomb of Charles T. Howard is prominently placed in the center. Often people say his ghost is heard moving arounmd in his tomb,

A few tombs predating the foundation of this cemetery can be found here; these were originally erected in other local cemeteries and were moved here after Metarie became the city's most prestigious cemetery. Metarie Cemetery has the largest collection of elaborate marble tombs and funeral statuary in the city. A local Psychic says ghost tourist often come from their own cemeteries to visit this cemetery and admire the fine tombs.

Notables buried in Metairie Cemetery include William C. C. Claiborne, the first U.S. governor of Louisiana, P.G.T. Beauregard and other Confederate veterans, and jazz musicians legendary greats Louis Prima and Al Hirt.

Other impressive Metairie Cemetery tombs:

The giant Moriarity tomb, with a 60 foot tall marble monument. A temporary special spur railroad line was built to bring the materials for the impressive monument here.

Memorial of 19th century police chief Hennesey, whose murder sparked a riot. his ghost is said to walk around the cemetery keep a watchful eye for vandals.

You can tour the grounds without worrying about the crime associated with the downtown graveyards.

The pseudo-Egyptian pyramid the former tomb of Storyville madam Josie Arlington. noted Tomb features the bronze statue of a woman at the door of the tomb, her back turned to the other graves. Cemetery workers have said she leaves her post at night to stroll among the tombs.

You can tour the grounds without worrying about the crime associated with the downtown graveyards.

A gleaming white Egyptian pyramid with a sphinx keeping watch at the door; the row of ornate Italian- American society tombs, nicknamed "mob row"; and the grave of Louis Prima, topped with a trumpet-playing angel and engraved with lyrics from "Just a Gigolo."

4. St. Roch Cemetery

725 St. Roch Avenue, this cemetery is off the beaten track.Saint Roch Cemetery, established by Rev. P.L. Thevis as part of a promise to have his parish spared of the Yellow Fever Epidemic. The chapel at Saint Roch Cemetery, also known as the Campo Santo (Holy Country) is the site of Good Friday worship that is well known throughout the city. The cemetery is the resting place of many prominent New Orleanians

Saint Roch is the patron saint of dogs and invalids. He's also the patron of bachelors, surgeons and tile-makers. Not to mention diseased cattle.

The most famous feature here is the Chapel built by Father Thevis in thanksgiving for deliverance from one of the frequent yellow fever epidemics of the 19th century. Recipients of favors have placed various souvenirs in the chapel, such as old leg braces, or replicas of body parts, to represent favors granted. Many real ghost orb photos are taken here. Guided cemetery tours highly are recommended when visiting New Orleans St. Roch Cemetery.

Father Thevis’s work. He Established the St. Roch Cemetery on land he bought from the heirs of Jack Phillips. It was dedicated on August 16, 1876. When he died on August 21, 1893, he was buried in the chapel of the Campo Santo (St.Roch Cemetery) that he had built.

If St. Roch heals you, it's traditional to make a plaster cast of the body part so healed and give it to the shrine for display. Making plaster casts of internal organs is a bit challenging, but such is the miracle of faith.

St. Roch is reported to us to be haunted by a large black dog that can be seen heard and shows up on New Orleans ghost photos and video.

New Orleans has many different ways of honoring the lives of those who have died. One of the Catholic traditions followed in this city is observed on Good Friday, when we celebrate the Stations of the Cross (in memory of Christ's suffering and crucifixion). Catholics walk on a route of nine local churches, stopping to pray at each. The Stations of the Cross ends at St. Roch's Cemetery at 3:00 p.m., the hour of our Lord's death.

St. Roch lived during the middle ages, and worked with those suffering from the plague. The cemetery is named after him because of a pledge made by a priest who prayed to him during the yellow fever crisis of 1868. It is now a shrine, and Mass is said there on Monday mornings.

 

5. Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery

Established in May 1864 as a final resting place for Union soldiers who died in Louisiana during the Civil War, the cemetery also contains the remains of veterans of the Spanish- American War, World Wars I and II, and Vietnam. Four Americans who fought in the War of 1812 are buried here, but only one of them took part in the Battle of New Orleans.

Six miles southeast of New Orleans is the Chalmette Battlefield, which preserves the site of the January 8, 1815, Battle of New Orleans, a decisive American victory over the British at the end of the War of 1812. Facilities include a tour road, visitor center, and the Malus-Beauregard House (c.1833). Adjacent is the Chalmette National Cemetery. Located on St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette. The Battlefield is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Very haunted with ghost of The battle of New Orleans and more. Many real strange sightings and ghost photos happen here daily . Orbs mists, EVP's and and occasional feeling of being grabed by unseen hands.

Adjacent to the battlefield, is the United States Civil War Chalmette National Cemetery, honoring Civil War soldiers who died on both sides. Those buried there include members of the famous Buffalo Soldiers. The cemetery sits on a tract of land which is approximately where the British artillery was located during the Battle of New Orleans. Both of these sites are maintained by the National Park Service, and are open to the public.

The Chalmette National Cemetery website has searchable databases, listing the soldiers who are buried at this location, The Union Army and the Confederate Army. Chalmette National Cemetery
Confederate Database www.cwc.lsu.edu/cwc/projects/dbases/chalm.la.csa.htm

Also located on the Chalmette Battlefield grounds, and serving as a museum and visitor center, is the Beauregard House. Beauregard House was never used as a plantation, and was built in 1830. It is named for René Beauregard, its last owner, the son of the Civil War Confederate General, P. G. T. Beauregard (whose monument is at the entrance to City Park, at the north end of Esplanade Avenue). While many visitors arrive by automobile, many also arrive by riverboat, the Chalmette Battlefield being part of the tour.

Additional artifacts of the Civil War can be seen at the Confederate Civil War Museum, located in downtown New Orleans, 929 Camp Street, just one block from Lee Circle

 

 

6. OddFellows Rest

5055 Canal Street sometimes called and known as the Spookiest scariest Cemetery or scariest graveyard in the city of New Orleans as deemed by many locals and tourist. The cemetery was dedicated on Feb. 29, 1849, They chose a very good spot on high ground at the intersection of Canal Street and Metairie Road.

In 1847, a secret benevolent society, "The independent Order of Oddfellow", founded a famous cemetery at the bottom of Canal Street,

The fisrt burials here began with a splendid ceremony and a grand procession parade led by two circus bandwagons, one pulled by 16 horses. There was also a funeral car carrying a sarcophagus of "quite imposing appearance." The membership had gathered the remains of 16 deceased members from other cemeteries in the city. These were carried in the funeral car and were the first burials in the group's new cemetery.

Odd Fellows Rest contains many monuments. One of the most interesting is the centrally located society tomb which bears a plaque with the German words “Freundschaft, Liebe and Warheit” which translates as Friendship, Love and Truth. The Howard Association Memorial has a bas-relief on its façade commemorating the organization’s founder. The bas-relief art form is not seen in most New Orleans cemeteries. The monument memorializes an organization that was active in1853 in aiding indigent yellow fever victims. The cemetery also has cast iron tombs. Odd Fellows Rest has been described as the most verbally expressive cemetery. Many of the tombs contain poetic passages. Examples are “In the midst of life we are in death” and “Weep not for me, I am not dead/I am only sleeping here.” The cemetery has escaped proposed demolition in the past; however, no Odd Fellows Lodge remains in New Orleans and the cemetery shows evidence of neglect and vandalism.

Many a haunted ghost sighting or ghost tale begins here at Odd Fellows Rest concerning ghost running out the Cemetery and across Canal Street. Often a starteled driver and frequent auto ghost related acidents happen at this haunted street corner..( Six haunted New Orleans cemeteries are locate all here.) The cause that the drivers say all the time is, "Someone ran out in front of m e." " I hit the brakes and they just dissapeared."

Within three years, the cemetery had erected 200 vaults and the tomb of the Teutonia Lodge No. 10. There were also walks laid out named for past grand masters of the Order. Walls on two sides enclosed the cemetery, and most of the plots were filled by 1930.

New Orleans was originally a swamp and still exists below sea level. The land on which OddFellows Rest is located is relatively high by New Orleans standards. When the backwaters of the "Crevasse of 1849" poured in. the now infamous OddFellows Rest remained intact.

OddFellows Rest houses a sculptured memorial of John Howard, an English philanthropist, Yellow fever activist, and prison/Lazaretto reformer.

Strange stories of ghost dogs and weird sounds at night behind the high body filled walls, Zombies and ghost cats stories abound at this haunted cemetery.

Two important memorials in the cemetery are the tomb of the Howard Association and the society tomb of Southwestern Lodge No. 40, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. This is believed to be the original Teutonia Lodge No. 10 tomb. On it you can see the German inscription Freundschaft, Liebe, und Wahrheit, which means Friendship, Love, and Truth.

The Howard Association tomb was erected by a group of 30 young men who came together for the purpose of aiding victims of yellow-fever plagues. They named themselves in honor of John Howard, an 18th-century English philanthropist and social reformer.

Today, OddFellows Rest shelters a busy bus stop; in mid-facade lies a health food hut; and its once vividly painted cast iron gates are now black. And the black cast-iron gates that are incomplete. At one time they were painted in bright colors. Forty years ago the panels were intact, but today the two panels on the left have been vandalized. You can still see, however, the symbols of the society: the mother and her children, a beehive, the Bible, the cornucopia, the world, the eye of the Deity, the five-pointed stars, the initials "I.O. of O.F."

The Catholic Church never tolerated segregation, so if you were African American and Catholic, you could buy a tomb in a Catholic cemetery and bury your dead right next to the white folks. But there were a lot of protestant cemeteries that wouldn't allow African Americans to be buried in them. So benevolent societies like the Odd Fellows bought land just outside of town for a cemetery so African Americans would not have to worry about having a place to spend eternity. This cemetery is surrounded by a ten-foot wall, and is probably the least explored of the cemeteries at the foot of Canal.

Many locals tell the tale of a ghost called old Mr. Mike, He is said to haunt the cemeteries outer wall and is a very nice dead person to meet. Often lone persons standing outside the cemetery day or night say they have encountered him and he has stayed talked. Telling them to be carefull at the late hours of the night while waiting to catch a bus," I see thing."s He says, " Strang things and strange people." then he just disappears before your eyes. Many say they see him dressed in a white t-shirt and dark pants no matter what time of year or the weather, always walking his large ghost dog.

7. Greenwood Cemetery

At 5242 Canal Blvd., Greenwood is home to the Protective Order of Elks Society tomb, as well as to other society tombs of varying groups. Writer John Kennedy Toole ("A Confederacy of Dunces") is buried here. And locals say his ghost wanders the area and has been photographed often. Extremely well taken care of cemetery

Greenwood is the first cemetery you'll come to off the street car, and it's one of the most recognizable cemeteries because of the big monuments in the front. Some of the vaults here are the Elk's crypt, which is a burial mound with a statue of an elk on top, and the Fireman's Benevolent monument, which has a statue of a firefighter in the center. There are also lots of old family tombs in this cemetery, as well as many newer graves and tombs in the back portion.

Greenwood including the Firemen's monument next to Elks tomb and the Confederate monument that stands in the left corner near the Interstate entrance. This one, erected by the Ladies Benevolent Association of Louisiana, marks the mass graves of 600 Confederate soldiers. And, of course, there is also a tomb constructed by the Police Mutual Benevolent Association.

Roughly 10 years after Cypress Grove was dedicated, Greenwood Cemetery became one of the most active burial sites in New Orleans, and the first not to be enclosed by walls made up of crypts like the other cemeteries in New Orleans at the time. There are over 20,500 tombs in this 150 acre cemetery. The cemetery has three prominent monuments that adorn its City Park Avenue frontage, the Fireman Monument, the Elks Lodge Monument, and the Civil War Monument. The Fireman Monument was erected to show respect to the 20 or so volunteer fire companies that were in the City of New Orleans. The monument has a life-size statue of a fireman scanning the skyline, poised for action at any sign of trouble. The city had many horrible fires that destroyed vast blocks of buildings in the French Quarter. The monument to the right of the Fireman Monument is that of the Benevolent Protective of the Elks, lodge number 30. This tomb is made of a round earthen mound with a bronze statue of the association’s symbol, the elk. The Elks Lodge was created by a group of thespians who held their meetings after hours. At the end of their meetings, they would take time to give a toast at eleven o’clock. The hands on the clock face on the tomb point to this exact moment in time. Lastly, the first veterans’ memorial that was built in New Orleans stands to the left of the Fireman Monument near I-10 and the railroad tracks. The Veterans’ memorial has a statue of an unknown Confederate soldier leaning on his rifle and has the busts of four historic figureheads including Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. There are more then 500 Confederate soldiers buried under this monument.

Greenwood Cemetery was established by the Firemen’s Charitable & Benevolent Association in 1852. Its opening immediately relieved the overcrowding at Cypress Grove. In 1852, America was stricken with an epidemic of yellow-fever. New Orleans, America’s third largest city, was hit particularly hard. By 1853, over 8,000 in the city had expired from the disease. Greenwood’s one hundred and fifty acres provided an expanse to accommodate the pressing need at the time and for future generations.

When the Firemen’s Charitable & Benevolent Association broke ground to build Greenwood Cemetery, it broke with tradition and built the first above ground cemetery without walls. Sparse in architecture and landscaping, Greenwood was designed to maximize its acreage to make room for nearly 20,000 grave lots. Imposing memorials line the perimeter giving the cemetery a park atmosphere.

A often told local tale tells of a pack of ghost dogs are said to roam the cemetery. Often they say they hear a baby crying. And the ghost of a young girl is said to be seen perring from behind tombs always following people around. Many EVP's happen here. And ghostly sounds are heard.

The first Civil War memorial to be erected in New Orleans is Greenwood’s Confederate Monument. A low mound marks the mass grave of six hundred Confederate soldiers whose remains were gathered through the efforts of the Ladies Benevolent Association of Louisiana. Dedicated in 1874, the masonry mausoleum is topped by a granite gallery enclosing an imposing marble pedestal. A statue of a Confederate infratryman resting on his rifle surmounts this pedestal.

The statuary is of a Cararra marble and was carved in Italy. The pedestal base has integral, carved busts of Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Albert Sidney, Johnston and Leonidas Polk. Architect Benjamin M. Harrod was the designer; the memorial contractor was George Stroud.

Greenwood’s centerpiece memorial is the Firemen’s