U.S.S. Kidd - Baton Rouge, LA (The Pirate of the Pacific)

305 South River Road

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

30.44342,-91.190171

www.usskidd.com

            As a child, I can remember taking a class field trip to Baton Rouge and visiting a battleship. We were young kids, having no knowledge about what we were seeing. We just knew it looked cool because “it had guns on it!” It wasn’t until years later when I learned how historically important this ship was, not only as an valuable fixture for the state, but for its great services it offered to the United States military.
              The U.S.S. Kidd is a Fletcher-class destroyer named after Rear Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd, Sr., who was killed during the attack at Pearl Harbor. This ship, identified as DD-661, as it was the Navy’s six hundred and sixty-first destroyer built, was officially christened and launched on February 28, 1943. From here on, the U.S.S. Kidd began its colorful journey through the open seas.
            Its first excursion was to simply be delivered to the Brooklyn Naval Shipyards. In an unconventional fashion, the Kidd arrived proudly flying the skull and crossbones flag high atop its mast. One can only imagine how odd it must have been to see a U.S. Naval ship flying the flag of the Jolly Roger. However, the uniqueness turned into tradition, as the flag became a regular fixture to the ship. What is most interesting is that after receiving approval by the appropriate officials, the ship's crew painted a pirate on their smokestack. To this day, the Kidd, known as the “Pirate of the Pacific” is the only U.S. battleship to ever be granted permission to fly the flag that represents piracy.

Spanish Moon - Baton Rouge, LA (Spirits of All Kinds!)

Photo Courtesy of Nola.com

1109 Highland Rd.

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

30.437085,-91.185756

www.thespanishmoon.com

            Ah, another haunted bar! Definitely cannot go wrong with the Spanish Moon in Baton Rouge. Whether it is for great music, stiff drinks, or sociable company, spirits flow freely at this old neighborhood establishment in more ways than one!
            The building was initially constructed in the 1880’s as a firehouse. During the infamous 1918 Flu Pandemic that killed roughly twenty million people worldwide, the location served as a makeshift morgue for that many who succumbed to the deadly illness. From then on, history is a bit cloudy in regards to what the establishment was used for. Some say a feed store, while others remember a thrift store being located here. One fact that most people can agree on is that by the 1970’s, the once fire station had now become a literal “flop house”, basically a low class watering hole for the local vagabonds, pimps, drug addicts, etc. Basically, this was not the place to hang out if you wanted to spend a relaxing Saturday night chilling with a beer! In the early 1980’s the bar was named the Cypress Hollow, with clientele slowly improving. Finally, in 1997, the Spanish Moon opened here, turning the historical building into the successful establishment it is today.

Old State Capitol - Baton Rouge, LA (The Castle on the Hill)

100 North Boulevard

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

30.446602,-91.189098

www.louisianaoldstatecapitol.org

*EVP's courtesy of Louisiana Spirits
 
            The old Louisiana State Capitol is a beautiful structure, sitting high atop the land to overlook the mighty Mississippi River. If walls could talk, this 150-plus year old building could lecture for days! It has survived the ravages of war, fires, physical fights, political battles and so much more.
            The building, which is known as “Castellated Gothic” was designed and built by James Harrison Dakin in 1852, five years after Baton Rouge was able to gain control as the state’s Capitol. Prior to this, New Orleans served as the temporary capitol. The building definitely coincides with its construction style, as it truly looks like a stout castle with thick walls, turrets and plaster trim resembling large blocks.
            In 1862, under the command of Admiral David Farragut, Union troops captured the building, transforming it into a stronghold and prison, absolving the current Louisiana legislators, sending them to find another safe haven. On December 28, 1862 the interior of the capitol was completely destroyed due to a fire unintentionally started by Union soldiers. Fortunately, the charred interior was completely reconstructed in 1882 by architect William A. Freret. On March 1, 1882, Governor McEnery arrived in Baton Rouge to officially take reigns of the newly restored statehouse and the new life of the capitol began.

Guaranty Income Life & Broadcasting Building - Baton Rouge, LA

929 Government St.

 Baton Rouge, La 70801

30.443595,-91.180937

            Constructed in the 1920’s, this building was initially the Baton Rouge General Hospital and served as the gold standard for the local medical community. For its time, the hospital was considered to be extremely technologically advanced. The hospital operated in its entirety until the 1950’s, when it shut down and then became the Guaranty Income Life and Broadcasting building. This location is now home to five broadcasting stations and an insurance firm.

            For years, this old hospital has been reported to be haunted. A majority of the activity reported seems to originate from the basement area, which was the morgue when the hospital was still in operation. The basement now serves as several offices and an area to store, no pun intended, dead files!

Pleasant Hall (LSU Campus) - Baton Rouge, LA (A Lover's Quarrel Turned Deadly)



Pleasant Hall, Louisiana State University

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

30.416828,-91.177607

*Photo courtesy of www.nola.com

 

            Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge is known as one of the most prestigious colleges in the country. From its top quality academics to its star-studded athletics, LSU is the place to go for the soon to be college student. Just as LSU is known for its rowdy football games in the massive stadium ironically dubbed “Death Valley”, an actual death in this valley has made a women’s dorm on campus quite an interesting place as well! 

            Originally called Smith Hall, named after President James Monroe Smith, Pleasant Hall was built in 1931 and served as the campus’s first women’s dormitory. The long standing dormitory/hotel operated until 2002, when it was converted into the continuing education department.

Old State Penitentiary - Baton Rouge, LA (Warden's House)

703 Laurel Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

30.451065,-91.182302  

As I mentioned in the history of Angola State Penitentiary, prior to its construction, state inmates were housed at the first Louisiana State Penitentiary, located at the intersection of 6th and Laurel Street in Baton Rouge. North of the penitentiary grounds, stood a small building built around 1840. This is the only remaining building of the prison complex which existed from 1834 to 1917. It served as the prison store and clerk’s living quarters, ultimately becoming the warden’s house, as it is most commonly known today.
In 1925, the building was moved several blocks to its current location and an extensive renovation was conducted in 1966. The structure is now home to several offices. Not much is actually known regarding the hauntings associated with this location, but there have been several reports of unexplainable sounds, disembodied voices, and accounts of electronics going haywire for no apparent reason. Is this enough to slap a big “haunted” label on the building? Probably not, yet with years of rumors, one can only be intrigued to look into the reports further. I am unaware of any actual investigation ever being conducted here so let’s add the warden’s house to our “to do” list!