Gumbo Shop - New Orleans, LA (A Meal That's to Die For!)

630 Saint Peter St.

New Orleans LA, 70116

29.957351,-90.063965

www.gumboshop.com

            When people, especially those from out of state, think of Louisiana cuisine, all that is mentioned is gumbo, gumbo and more gumbo! I cannot tell you how many times I have spoken with people from other states and they truly think that the only staple we have to live off of is gumbo. Although the concept doesn't sound so bad, we do have a much more in-depth menu to choose from. However, compared to many of the dishes I have been raised on, gumbo is quite tame. Growing up, I loved a good plate of greards (cow intestines), gog (stuffed pig's stomach) and boudin (stuffed pig intestines). Hey now, don't knock it until you try it!
            To give you a crash course on gumbo, as if your life wasn't complete already, we must go back to the 1700's when New Orleans and the rest of the south was beginning to form. Let's face it, for the majority, if you were from the south during this time, as well as for many years to follow, you weren't quite the wealthiest people around. You had to find a way to survive no matter what shortcuts you had to take. With large households and no money, you had to find ways to stretch your food to assure it lasted. Ground chicory root was added to coffee and file', or ground sassafras, was added to stews, all in an attempt to feed more with less. Ever heard of the famous New Orleans' Po'Boys, or Poor Boys?

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.

French Market Inn - New Orleans, LA (The Baroness and the Bloody Handprints)

Photo courtesy of www.frenchmarketinn.com

501 Decatur St.

New Orleans, LA 70130

29.955275,-90.064234

www.frenchmarketinn.com 

            A quick stroll down Decatur Street and you will quickly see this is the busiest street in the French Quarter. With plenty of two-way traffic, street performers, artists and horse carriages, it’s hard to stop and smell the roses; or shall I say the horse manure! In the 1800’s this area was also known as a rough and rugged place, not always housing society’s finest. Located close to the river, this area was a regular hangout for thieves, prostitutes and other unfortunates of the time. Ironically, this area is also home to the picturesque Jackson Square. As you wander down Decatur, amidst the commotion, you may encounter an interesting little inn, rumored to have some very unique paranormal activity.

Fort Pike - New Orleans, LA (Well Armed and Never Harmed)

27100 Chef Menteur Highway

New Orleans, LA 70129

30.166251,-89.737122 

            One thing that we have learned so far is that the waters surrounding New Orleans have been the target of many military attacks throughout the years. After the United States barely survived the Battle of 1812 against the British, President James Monroe ordered that a massive fortification of the southern waterways and coasts be erected. Construction of what would be known as the Third System fortifications began in 1816 and was officially complete in 1867. These forts consisted of several brick and masonry structures built along the coastal region and were able to protect New Orleans and the Mississippi River from any potential air or sea attacks.

Dauphine House B&B - New Orleans, LA (The Heart of Marigny)

1830 Dauphine St.

New Orleans, LA 70116

29.965197,-90.060367

www.dauphinehouse.com

            Just a few blocks away from the French Quarter, you will find the small neighborhood of Faubourg Marigny. Established in the 1800's by a Creole millionaire Bernard Xavier Philippe de Marigny de Mandeville, this area was a known spot where wealthy Creole men would provide a place to stay for their quadroon mistresses and their offspring. Situated in what is now simply known as New Marigny, stands a small bed and breakfast with quite an extensive guest list, even when the home appears to be empty!
            The Dauphine House Bed and Breakfast is the perfect place to stay if you want easy access to the French Quarter, while still feeling as though you are off the beaten path. Built in 1860, this small inn has been through several different hands with no valid reports of significant deaths or incidents occurring. However, this does not stop the Dauphine House from being haunted. In fact, this home is said to contain several spirits; as many as five!

Inn on St. Anne - New Orleans, LA (The Home of Marie Laveau)

1013 Saint Anne St.

New Orleans, LA 70116

29.960915,-90.066964

http://www.frenchquarterguesthouses.com/stann-en.html

*Photos courtesy of www.frenchquarterguesthouses.com  
           When people think of New Orleans, one of the first things they think of, other than the Saints of course, is Voodoo. For centuries, Voodoo has played a prominent part in the culture that makes up the Crescent City in addition to other parts of the state. The religion originated from the west African Yoruba people who lived in eighteenth and nineteenth century Dahomey. Slaves brought their religion with them when they were forcibly shipped to Haiti and other islands in the West Indies. Hoodoo refers to African traditional folk magic. A rich magical tradition which was indigenous to ancient African cultures, its practice was imported when mainly West Africans were enslaved and brought to the United States. As the practice seemed too taboo, slaves were banned from practicing the religion, so they looked for ways to mask it. As mentioned earlier with Magnolia Plantation, they did so by incorporating large amounts of French and Spanish Catholicism into their worship, which is why many of the Voodoo Lwa, or Gods, are symbolized by Catholic Saints such as St. Peter, St. Michael and St. Christopher.

Court of the Two Sisters - New Orleans, LA (An Eternal Sisterly Bond)

613 Royal St.

New Orleans, LA 70116

29.957485,-90.065301

www.courtoftwosisters.com

            I have always been fortunate to be an only child. I have never had to worry about the issues of an older brother beating on me for fun or a sassy younger sister who constantly got on my nerves. I have heard too many horror stories about the negatives of siblings. Once in a while though, you will hear tales of siblings who have such a close-knit bond, they cannot be separated, even after death! Such was the case with a sweet pair of sisters who ran a dainty little shop on Royal Street.
            Situated on the 600 block of Royal Street, also known as “Governor’s Row,” Emma and Bertha Camors were sisters who owned a notions and fancies shop here. This area was home to much of the elite politicians of the time and this shop catered to many of their wives with fine dresses and perfumes from around the world, while treating their customers to tea in the adjacent courtyard. The sisters were only two years apart and they were extremely close even until death. The sisters died only two months apart in the winter of 1944 and are now buried side by side in St. Louis Cemetery number three.