Cafe Vermillionville - Lafayette, LA (Don't Mess With My Toot-Toot)

1304 West Pinhook Rd.

Lafayette, LA 70503

30.200564,-92.016492

www.cafev.com 

            One of the things I love most about Louisiana is that no matter what nook of the state you are in, just when you think you are in the most secluded area possible, there is a good restaurant probably with a couple of miles from you. Let’s face it, we Louisianans love to eat! Sure, we may not all be blessed with the physique of Adonis due to this but the food is just too damn good to pass up! In the heart of Acadiana, lies the city of Lafayette, an area still heavily enriched with Cajun culture. Where many of the old timers still speak French on a daily basis, Lafayette is one of the last places in the state to experience this dying culture. 
            Here in Lafayette, you will find a great restaurant with quite an interesting history. Café Vermillionville sits only several hundred yards from the banks of Coulee des Poches, which served as a major waterway for local Indians of the Atakapa tribe. As this method of transportation grew more and more viable, the local area began to grow with small businesses such as mills, saloons, and inns.

Oakland Plantation - Haughton, LA (The Good Doctor and the Coffin)

Sligo Rd.

Haughton, LA 71037

32.466187,-93.514327

            Every small town has that one particular house known as the official “haunted house” that no one wants to go near. Growing up, we had a small home down the street that we swore belonged to infamous devil worshipers. I chuckle when I look back at how naïve we were growing up. I know I keep harping on it but growing up, there was nothing that instilled more fear in us than the idea of devil worshipers. Although we had no evidence that any Satanists even existed anywhere near our town but the mere mention of them was enough to send us kids all running. It didn’t help that in the mid to late 80’s the news was full of stories involving kidnappings and human sacrifices being pinned on Satanist. I can’t tell you how many times my mom would scare me when I was acting up by saying, “If you keep on being bad, I’m going to call the devil worshipers on you!” At the time, it was enough to quickly send me into an angelic state unlike no other. Looking back, I can’t believe I was so gullible to fall for it. I mean, come on, it’s not like my mom had the local devil worshipers on speed dial!

Edgewood Plantation - Farmerville, LA (A Hotbed of Activity)

8876 Hwy 2

Farmerville, LA 71241

32.78543,-92.424642

www.edgewoodplantationlouisiana.com 

*Special thanks to Bess Maxwell, John Combs, Traci Myers and the rest of the North Chapter for all their hard work in these investigations.

Also known as the Baughman House, this beautiful Queen Anne victorian style home was built in 1902 by Jefferson Davis Baughman. The home, with its unique design, sits on over eight acres of illustrious landscaped  and wooded land. Jefferson Baughman and his wife, Nancy, had four daughters. Ms. Faye was the oldest daughter who was the last one to reside in the beautiful home and passed away in the late seventies. After her passing, the home began to deteriorate little by little. After years of the home being unused, the home fell into disrepair. Fortunately, in 2010, the home was bought by Pat and Kay Carroll and they began the daunting task of bringing back the home to its former beauty.
A background of any unusual or possible paranormal activity is generally unknown. We have one report of visitors on the front porch, after the home was abandoned and in a state of neglect, of an old radio, possibly in one of the bedrooms, suddenly coming on at a loud volume, when it was known that there was no electricity to the home at the time.

Miller Cemetery - Eunice, LA (The Headless Cemetery)

Photo Courtesy of www.passinvestigators.com

Headless Cemetery

30.5288661, -92.4087380

        Widely popular amongst local teens and urban legend enthusiasts, the Miller Cemetery, also known as the Headless Cemetery, is said to be home to several strange encounters with spirits from beyond the grave. With some burials being reported as old as the late 1800's, locals feel that the spirits of many buried here still wander the grounds. In particular, the cemetery's nickname originates from the numerous sightings of a supposed headless apparition.
        As with many of these sort of supposedly haunted locations, there always come a few good tales. One in particular is that if you pull up on the grounds late at night, your vehicle will always kill and you will have trouble starting it back up. Several years ago, a small investigative team visited the Headless Cemetery and they claim that this very phenomena occurred to them.

Beauregard Gothic Jail - Deridder, LA (The Famed Hanging Jail)

Courthouse Square

Deridder, Louisiana

30.846396,-93.288203 

        Although not necessarily one of the most haunted places I have investigated, the Beauregard Gothic jail has long been one my favorite places to visit. Possibly it is due to my years working inside of prisons; I have always been fascinated with this ornate structure. It’s not often you find a building so beautiful that was meant to house the complete opposite. This jail is definitely that example.
This three-story Gothic structure was built in 1914 and operated as the local jail until 1984. Its design is quite ingenious, as a single spiral staircase takes you to each floor. The first floor consists of a few offices and what I can best describe as a “drunk tank”, as it is one large dormitory-style room. The second and third floors are similar, as there are four identical cells that branch out from the small rotunda. A dumb waiter took food and supplies through the different levels.
         Another interesting feature is the underground tunnel that connects the jail to the adjacent courthouse. This conveniently allowed officers to escort inmates directly from the jail to a back staircase of the courthouse that led directly into the court room. This definitely kept security at a maximum and never allowed the inmates to come in contact with anyone from the general public. The most notable section of the jail is the third floor, which served as a makeshift gallows of sorts, as several executions were carried out here. Two in particular would go down in the record books due to one of Beauregard Parish’s most heinous crimes!

Loyd's Hall - Cheneyville, LA (The 180 Year Old Blood Stain)

292 Loyd Bridge Road

Cheneyville, LA 71325

31.034294,-92.354555

www.loydhall.com

            Located on six hundred forty acres of working farm land in Cheneyville, Loyd's Hall Plantation is truly a unique plantation in many ways. The home was built in 1820 by William Loyd, originating from the famous Lloyds of London. However, being the "black sheep" of the family, he moved to America and was forced to drop one of the "L's" from his last name. Mr. Loyd was quite the eccentric character, being disliked by many people. Proof of this can be found in the original front door, which is now the door to the dining room. On it, you can still see gashes left by Indian

The door to the right is the one mentioned that contains the
markings from the arrows

arrowheads, shot by the displeased locals! There are also bullets lodged in the wall from a previous dispute that are still visible to this day. Mr. Loyd then began working with both the Union and the Confederacy during the Civil War. When word of the double agent's affairs got out, William finally met his demise and was hanged in his own front yard. The home's tragedies did not end here, as Mr. Loyd's later relative, Inez Loyd, jumped to her death from the third story attic. The suicide was said to have taken place because Inez was stood up by her fiancé. The third floor was also said to have been home to a small school house on one side and the makeshift residence of the teacher on the other.

Chalmette Battlefield - Chalmette, LA (The Battle of New Orleans)

8606 West St Bernard Hwy.
Chalmette, LA 70043

29.945081,-89.986053

            Many military historians will tell you that there is no battle in Louisiana more crucial than the Battle of New Orleans. Taking place on January 8, 1815, this was the final battle of the War of 1812, as United States troops, led by General Andrew Jackson, fought off the British Army, led by General Edward Pakenham. The battle was critical, as it prevented the British from seizing New Orleans as well as the vast amount of land we know as the Louisiana Purchase. One can only imagine how history would have been re-written if we would have lost this intense battle. Let’s face it; we could all be eating tea and crumpets right now, instead of beer and boudin!
           What is believed to be the most ironic part of the battle is that it could have actually been prevented, saving hundreds of lives. On December 24, 1814, the Treaty of Ghent had been signed, placing a truce between both sides. In the days before e-mail and text messages, news took a bit longer to reach its desired source, so while news of the peace treaty was on its way, thousands were still battling for their lives.

Susie Plantation - Centerville (The Grave & Ghost of Addie Harris)

Susie Plantation (Centerville/Garden City)

29.762908,-91.451877

            Between the small towns of Centerville and Garden City, along the winding Bayou Teche, lies quite the little hidden gem when it comes to haunted plantations. Susie Plantation was built and completed between 1848 and 1852 by Royal and Adeline Harris as a working sugar cane and rice plantation. In 1858, Royal would pass away, leaving the home to his wife who would remarry to John H. Darnall. In appearance, the home is your standard smaller plantation for the period; a two story home with large columns to the front and to the rear of the building.
            The conversation piece of this home is not what’s inside, but what lies on the property. Only several feet away from the home sits an above ground grave. The grave is the final resting place of Addie (Adeliza) E. Harris, daughter of the original plantation’s owner, who died in 1872. The cause of death is still uncertain, while some say she died during childbirth, others claim she fell to her death from the second floor of the home. What’s most interesting is that her tombstone is etched with this ominous epitaph:

"Weep Not For Me, I Am Not Dead, I Only Sleepth"

Carville Leprosy Colony - Carville, LA (The Armadillo Stole My Leg)

5445 Point Clair Rd

Carville, Louisiana 70721

30.19677,-91.124

 
            When most people hear the word leprosy, they immediately break out into chills. For years, there has been a certain stigma associated with leprosy as this uncontrollable plague worse than a zombie apocalypse! Leprosy is primarily a granulomatous disease of the peripheral nerves and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract; skin lesions are the primary external sign. Left untreated, leprosy can be progressive, causing permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes. Contrary to folklore, leprosy does not cause body parts to fall off, although they can become numb or diseased as a result of secondary infections; these occur as a result of the body's defenses being compromised by the primary disease.

Your Typical Leprosy Patient

            Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, dates back to primitive civilizations around 4000 BC and continues on today. However, now that proper treatments have been discovered, the cases are scarce and easily curable. Initially thought of as highly contagious, we learned this is not the case, as it is primarily spread by armadillos. Just when you thought an armadillo couldn't be any more of a pain in the ass! During the 1800’s, with a cure still not known, there was nothing people could really do with those with leprosy other than simply seclude them from others.

Mary Jane's Bridge - Broussard, LA (Acadiana's Urban Legend)

Mary Jane’s Bridge (Broussard)

30.153936,-91.906444

            Every state has its fair share of urban legends that make for great campfire stories or ingenious ways to scare young kids. Whether it is a man with a hook for a hand, a strange cryptozoological creature or an infamous “woman in white” that wanders abandoned roads at night, the legends are sure to keep locals enthralled and children afraid to go to sleep at night. Louisiana is no exception, as these sorts of legends are abundant. As a child, when I misbehaved, I was often threatened with the dreaded "Johnny Panachaffa", the imaginary "boogaloo" that roamed the woods at night searching for young children. What did this crazy Cajun with the funny last name do with his victims, might one ask? Murder them? Molest them? Dig their eyeballs out with a melon scooper and use their skulls as a sex toy? Oh no, not this weirdo; he would do the unthinkable. HE WOULD SNEAK IN YOUR ROOM AND PULL YOUR TOES AT NIGHT! I never quite could understand of all the things this make-believe guy could do, why pull your toes? Shame on our parents for not coming up with a little more clever way of verifying what a badass this bayou boogie man would be! Fortunately, Broussard, Louisiana does not have such a sadistic and maniacal creeper with a foot fetish.

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.

Rose Theatre - Bastrop, LA (The Ghost of Mrs. Rose Goodwin)

102 East Jefferson Ave.

Bastrop, LA 71221

32.778275,-91.914514

www.rosetheatre.org

            The Rose Theatre was built in 1927 by C.J. Goodwin and was initially intended to accommodate the traveling vaudeville shows of the time as well as an opportune venue to feature current silent films. The building then turned into your run of the mill movie cinema until it shut down in the 1970's. Fortunately, in 1985, the original owner's donated the theater to the local Cotton Country Players, who began running local community performances.

            The theatre also has a history of unusual activity that continues to intrigue former and current owners, employees and guests alike. Objects known to have been left in specific locations get moved to new locations. Disembodied voices and other strange noises have often been heard when no one else is around. Doors are often opened and closed, with no one around to do so. Guests have reported a sense of uneasinesses, as if someone was watching them. On several occasions, staff have reported seeing an apparitional figure on the stairwell, near the balcony area as well as hearing the piano play by itself. Many of the guests and staff feel these strange occurrences are attributed to Mr. Goodwin's wife, Mrs. Rose Ames Goodwin, a benevolent spirit that playfully interacts with those who entertain the idea of the afterlife.

Kent House Plantation - Alexandria, LA (A Hidden Gem of Activity)

3601 Bayou Rapides Road

Alexandria, Louisiana 71303

31.303697,-92.482873

www.kenthouse.org

*All pictures below are courtesy of www.kenthouse.org

        If you are looking for a true rendition of French and Spanish life during the late 1700's, then look no further than Kent House Plantation! This beautiful home is one of the oldest original structures still standing in Louisiana. This French colonial home was built around 1796 by French settler, Pierre Baillio II, on ground due to a Spanish land grant that consisted of 500 arpents, which is approximately the French equivalent of an acre, near Poste des Rapides.
        In 1842, the home was sold to Mr. Robert Hynson of Kent County, Maryland, oddly giving this home its final name. After the home luckily survived almost being burnt down during the 1864 Civil War Red River Campaign, it passed through several different owners, and was finally divided into three sections and moved two block over to its current location in 1964.

Tyrone Plantation - Alexandria, LA

6576 Bayou Rapides Rd.

Alexandria, LA 71303

31.312389,-92.562517

This quaint little plantation home was built in 1843 by Virginian, George Mason Graham.  Graham was familiar with plantation life and built a three storied house, a granary, a brick kiln, a saw mill, a cotton gin and a wharf for barge traffic on the bayou. Graham wrote an autobiography and left much correspondence that is in federal, state and university archives. Graham also built what is probably the only underground tomb on a plantation and buried there a wife and a son that has given rise to the story of the “soldier ghost.” Mr. Graham is probably most known for his work with the state's educational system, obtaining federal property, now known as the Pentagon Barracks, in Baton Rouge for a new location for a state university, which you may have heard of: Louisiana State University.

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!

Hotel Bentley - Alexandria, LA (Cenla's Crown Jewel)

 801 3rd St. 

Alexandria, LA 71301

31.312283,-92.445391

The beautiful Hotel Bentley has served as the quintessential landmark for Alexandria for many years. From its beautiful classic Renaissance design to its illustrious past clientele, the Bentley was the place to stay during its years in operation. In 1892, a lumber tycoon by the name of Joseph A. Bentley moved to the area, looking to construct a grand hotel. Once initial construction was complete, the Bentley opened to the public in 1908, which a later addition being erected in the 1930's. What made the hotel especially unique is that Mr. Bentley transformed the top floor into his own personal apartment, event containing its own private elevator, all of which is still intact to this day.
Throughout the years, the hotel has seen its share of notable individuals. Primarily, during WWII maneuvers, military figures such as Major General George Patton, Lieutenant Colonel Omar Bradley, Colonel Dwight David Eisenhower, and Second Lieutenant Henry Kissinger laid their heads to rest here.