Chretien Point Plantation - Sunset, LA (One Tough Little Lady)

665 Chretien Point Plantation

Sunset, LA 70584

30.389406,-92.09826

www.chretienpoint.com

            If I haven't already informed you, I am quite man enough to admit that I have an intense case of arachnophobia! It's pretty pathetic how severe it is, as I will literally freak out if I get near a spider bigger than a dime. I can remember putting laundry into the washer once and as I pushed down on the clothes, a spider about as big as a fifty cents piece sprang from the clothes, onto my arm! I honestly do not remember much, as I seemed to come out of my own skin, hitting a level of consciousness that is hard to comprehend. Next thing I remember, I am stripped down to my underwear, running around the house, flailing my arms like an idiot! Needless to say, it was quite a sight! Oddly enough, the types of spiders I hate the most are the ones that are the most harmless.  The proper term for this species is the golden silk orb-weaver but in Louisiana, they are referred to as banana spiders. They are massive in size, ominous in color and make gigantic webs with strange zig-zag patterns down the middle. I have always been told they are non-poisonous but I have never bothered getting close enough to one to find out. Ironically, the next location I will mention is home to the largest banana spiders I have ever seen. Maybe that's why it's one of the only plantations in Louisiana that I have yet to investigate!

Myrtles Plantation - St. Francisville, LA (Deciphering Fact from Fiction)

7747 U.S. 61

St. Francisville, LA 70775

30.767827,-91.320355

www.myrtlesplantation.com

            It goes without saying, yet I will say it anyways, that the world can often be a letdown. Remember how fun events such as Christmas, Easter and losing a tooth were until you learned the cold truth that those chipper and festive characters you loved and adored were simply your parents? As you grew older, huge delusions of grandeur set in. As a teen, I just knew that the day I got my license I would have a brand new sports car waiting for me. Reality quickly set in, as I would not get my own vehicle until I was nineteen and it was a hand-me-down pick-up truck with nearly three hundred thousand miles. Prior to that, I had to chauffeur my mom around in her Pontiac Bonneville, which was powder blue in color with a big kitty cat license plate on the front. Needless to say, this was not the chick magnet I had in mind, if you know what I mean! Growing up, I quickly learned that all that glittered wasn’t gold. Hell, in many cases, that glitter effect is simply particles of lead in gun powder and we all know how quickly that can go up in smoke.
            As I approached our next location, I contemplated how I would possibly be able to give it the justice it deserved. If you make huge claims like being the most haunted house in the most haunted state, how do you truly touch on every piece of haunted history and ghostly encounter? I decided that the best place to start was with the plain and simple hard facts. As I recollected every haunted story told of the infamous Myrtles Plantation, I gathered a plethora of endless tales of paranormal activity from the ten or so murders that are said to have occurred here. As I separated the years of stories from the confirmed documented deaths, I came to a startling discovery that surprised me. To my amazement, the stack of facts was literally non-existent in comparison to the legends that have been told to endless numbers of tour groups and mystery hounds. Wait a minute, if this is supposed to be the most haunted house in America, how on earth is there not more concrete evidence? At this time, allow me to throw the disclaimer out that I am not debating the fact that the Myrtles is haunted, as there are way too many credible individuals who have encountered very legitimate ghostly experiences here. With years of fact and fiction blending together into a mythical gumbo, time and elaborations continue to mix the stew more and more until we have a frothy bowl of misconceptions. It’s not a matter of whether or not the Myrtles is haunted, but what causes it to be so active?

Temptations Gentlemen's Club - New Orleans, LA (The Haunted Strip Club)

327 Bourbon St.

New Orleans, LA 70130

29.956071,-90.067999

www.temptationsnola.com

            After over 60 haunted locations covered in the great city of New Orleans, I have finally reached the last one…at least for now, and what a way to finish! Allow me to be the first to warn you, if you are easily offended, you may want to skip this blog, as there is no way to sugarcoat and glorify a strip club. I understand the job market is tough and a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do, but I have never been able to understand the logic behind being a stripper. Sure, the successful ones may make thousands of dollars a week but what about all the others who are leaving their dignity behind as they crawl around on their hands and knees for three or four crumpled up dollars? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying every strip club is a rat-infested cesspool, but I have sure been to some horrible ones in my days!
            Fortunately, the location at hand is not such an establishment but I must take the time to honor some of these venues for their shear awesomeness. Word to you women out there who are entertaining the idea of becoming a stripper; just because you are a woman, does not necessarily mean men will want to pay to see you naked! Unfortunately, many of these low rent strip joints do not tell the ladies this during the hiring process. I have visited some of these locations that were so bad, they were enjoyable, as it was apparent they were an equal-opportunity employer, not discriminating against age, size, nor appearance. Let me be the first to say I am no Adonis by any means, which is why I keep my clothes on. There is nothing wrong with a woman with high self-esteem but sometimes a line needs to be drawn.

Sausage Man/Hans Muller House - New Orleans, LA (Where's the Beef?)

725 Ursuline St.

New Orleans, LA 70116

29.96178,-90.062187

            New Orleans has always been so steeped with lore and legend, it is no wonder it is so haunted. As with any outlandish tales, people elaborate upon these legends, often sensationalizing them until they become more fiction than fact. The grizzly stories that make up the haunted history of New Orleans are no exception. So far, we have learned about sadistic sultans, torturous madams, Voodoo priestess and hypnotizing dentists. Although these stories have been verified as fact, we will never know if they happened exactly as reported or were they slightly embellished upon to sound just a tad bit creepier.
            One of these last popular tales that we will cover in the great city of New Orleans is one of those last stops I took on that infamous haunted history tour as a teenager. The Sausage Man House, as it is commonly named is not a bath house for well-endowed men, as the title may suggest. A small private residence on Ursuline Street, I first read of this insane story in the 1940’s book Gumbo Ya-Ya. I know I’ve mentioned this book several times but I highly recommend that you read it. Being written in the forties, it is told in a tome that books are no longer written in and it truly is unique. As I have said, this story has been told for years and there are different variants so I will stick with the most widely told version. Who knows, this story may very well be completely fictitious, but I felt I had to include it. It would be futile to try and compile such a large collection of haunted New Orleans stories and not include the famed Sausage Man House.

Jimani Lounge - New Orleans, LA (A Hate Crime for the Ages)

141 Chartres St.

New Orleans, LA  70130

29.953391,-90.067462

www.thejimani.com

*Some of the following images are graphic in nature.
As I have said several times, New Orleans has always had a dark cloud that seems to hover over it. Even prior to its founding in 1718, the settlement basically served as a safe haven for the expelled, criminal-minded and those just looking to do wrong. By the time you are done reading through all of the city’s haunted locations, you will see that during the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, New Orleans was in no short supply of deaths, crimes and catastrophic events such as fires and hurricanes. With all of these occurring, one lays out the perfect ground work for one hell of a haunted city. As modern times approached, things shifted somewhat, but not necessarily for better or worse. Gone were the ax-wielding maniacs and torturous madams of the 1800’s, as modernization now brought in gun toting gangsters that would steal everything but the crack off your butt. Heartache and despair is still quite abundant in certain areas of the city, as they still get their raw end of the deal especially in the hurricane department. We are all aware of the disastrous Hurricane Katrina in 2005 that nearly eradicated the entire city. Still, with the fighting spirit that New Orleans has possessed for centuries, they picked up the pieces and rebuilt; whether it was from the ashes in 1788 or the floods in 2005.

Gardette LePretre Home - New Orleans, LA (The Sultan's Massacre Site)

715 Dauphine St.

New Orleans, LA 70116

29.959442,-90.066199

            As extensive as the haunted stories are in New Orleans, so are the discrepancies. Whether it is due to time, overactive imaginations, or a tour guide trying to spice up their speeches for an extra buck, many of the ghastly and ghostly tales have changed over the years. Such may be the case with this next location, as several variants of the story have been told. I have tried to compile as much as I could from the most reliable of sources to give as accurate of an account as possible. As with the Quadroon home that I mentioned earlier, this next residence was another stop on that infamous haunted history tour that I took years ago, fueling my interest for all the macabre events that have taken place in the French Quarter and surrounding areas of the city. The home was simply known as the Sultan’s House.
            In 1825, a dentist by the name of Dr. Joseph Coulon Gardette built a grand home on the corner of Dauphine and Orleans Streets. At the time, this was said to be largest home in the area with an ornate design and decorative wrought iron work. In 1829, the home was then sold to a local merchant by the name of M. Jean Baptiste LaPretre. He lived here until the late 1870’s then financial issues began to strike many in the area. The declining economy forced many of the city’s elite to sell their grand homes. Mr. LaPretre decided that instead of selling his beloved home, he would begin renting it out to make a profit, while still being able to keep it. This proved not the greatest of ideas as his first tenant would make him wish he would have just sold his home like everyone else.

T'Frere's Bed and Breakfast - Lafayette, LA (The Search for Amelie Comeaux)

1905 Verot School Road

Lafayette, LA 70508

30.160106,-92.022192 

            There are two things that you will find quite plentiful in Louisiana. The first are mosquitos and the second, and much more desirable, are bed and breakfasts. These historic homes are scattered all over the state and each have their own unique history, giving you the opportunity to spend the night in an accurately depicted historic home while normally waking up to a pretty darn good Cajun breakfast! Nothing better on earth than waking up to boudin, andouille, biscuits and a mimosa. An added bonus is that many of these homes come with their fair share of haunted tales. There is one particular bed and breakfast in the heart of Acadiana that is well known for having plenty of both!
            T'Frere's Bed and Breakfast is a traditional Acadian-style home in Lafayette. Built sometime in the 1880's, T'Frere's is known for its beautiful décor and large closed in side porch which is ideal for entertaining; and entertaining is something this home knows how to do! From the time guests arrive, they are greeted with pure southern hospitality and plenty of good food! The evening time consists of mint juleps and finger foods while the morning time brings a breakfast comparable to a five-star restaurant. The breakfast is truly to die for, no pun intended!

Southern Forest Heritage Museum - Long Leaf, LA (Milling Logs and Limbs Alike)

77 Long Leaf Rd.

Long Leaf, LA 71448

31.005615,-92.560383

www.forestheritagemuseum.org

One of my favorite places to visit, the Southern Forest Heritage Museum in Long Leaf is like taking a step back in time. From its rich history, fascinating machinery on display, eerie feel and haunted tales, these massive grounds are a ghost hunter’s dreams! Let me also mention that the Director of the museum is one of the sweetest ladies on earth and we have worked with her countless times on numerous projects. If you are ever fortunate enough to visit this spot, be sure to say hello to Ms. Claudia!
Long Leaf is a very small town about twenty miles south of Alexandria, receiving its name from the high-quality long leaf pine that was mass-milled here. This wood produced here would be a valuable material in World War II as it was used in constructing Higgins landing craft, due to its ability to withstand the seawater. The saw mill that sits here was literally its own community, eventually becoming the town it is today. Opening in 1892, the sawmill sits on fifty-seven acres of land that also houses the buildings that were once the commissary, post office, doctor’s office, planer mill, round house, machine shop, car knocker shed and small homes where former employees lived with their families.

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.

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!

Angola State Prison - Angola, LA (The Bloody Bayou Alcatraz)

Angola State Penitentiary

17544 Tunica Trace

Angola, LA 70712

30.957486,-91.592896

        With over eighteen years in state and federal law enforcement, I have always had a particular interest in haunted prisons. Spending so many years locked inside these structures with the very criminals they house, you truly get a sense of respect for this morbid community within a community. No matter how many television shows or documentaries one may watch on the subject, there is no substitution for the real thing. Let's face it, prisons are not a fun place to be! Especially when you are housed in what was once known as the bloodiest prison in America, Angola State Penitentiary.
         The long and dark history of Angola begins in the 1830's when the land was purchased by Isaac Franklin. The property was known as Angola Plantation, gaining its name from the region of Africa where a majority of the home's slaves originated. On the grounds, there was a building known as the old slave quarters. It is in this building where inmates from the original state penitentiary, located at the intersection of 6th Street and Laurel Street in Baton Rouge, were used to perform daily duties. The conditions were said to be horrendous and extremely cruel. With the property being surrounded on three sides by the mighty Mississippi River, this fortress has often been described as the bayou Alcatraz.