Category Archives: New Orleans

Historic—and Possibly Haunted—Garden District Mansion for Sale

13 Saturday Feb 2016

Posted by in Architecture, Breaking the News, Famous Locations, Ghost Hunting, Ghost Stories, Ghost Tours, Haunted Houses, In the News, New Orleans, Real Estate, The Haunted Librarian, Uncategorized

≈ Comments Off on Historic—and Possibly Haunted—Garden District Mansion for Sale

Tags

, , ,

Historic—and Possibly Haunted—Garden District Mansion for Sale

Located in the Garden District in New Orleans, the former Harris-Maginnis Mansion has hit the real estate market. Again. Currently operating as a bed and breakfast (B&B), the home can revert back to a private home and can be yours for the discounted price of $4.9 million.

Designed by the famous architect James H. Calrow in 1857, the house was built for the cotton broker Alexander Harris. Harris and his child bride, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Thompson, moved into the sprawling home in 1858. On July 19, 1896, Harris died from yellow fever. The young widow remarried and sold the home in 1879.

The next owners were John Henry Maginnis and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Tweed. [Note: Both women were called “Lizzie.”] Maginnis was a cotton baron. While vacationing at another residence, Maginnis was struck and killed by lightning on July 4, 1889—only 10 years after purchasing the home. Tweed held onto the property and willed it to her only daughter, Josephine, in 1921. Josephine and her husband split their time between New York City and Europe; therefore, Josephine gifted the 13,000 square foot home to the New Orleans chapter of the American Red Cross in 1939.

The American Red Cross used the home as a headquarters from 1939-1954. Dr. Clyde E. Crassons purchased the building and converted it back into a private residence.

The home has changed hands several times. Mr. and Mrs. Schreiber remodeled the home and converted it into a bed and breakfast. Hollie Vest, a Tina Turner impersonator, purchased the home in 2001.

Even more noteworthy is that the home has been listed for sale a lot. Like, a lot. It was listed in 2012 for $2.85 million. It sold in 2013 for $1.6 million. And now it is for sale again. Originally listed for $5.475 million, the sale price has been reduced to $4.9 million. The new owners can leave the home as an operating B&B or convert it back into a private home. I would not be surprised if the beautiful home reverts back. That seems to be the trend with historic properties.

Now known as the Magnolia Mansion, the home is not marketed as haunted. However, the B&B Website does provide some interesting stories and photographs of possible hauntings. Activity seemed to commence during the renovations. Another Website proffers that the ghosts are friendly. One tucks guests into bed at night while another child “plays” in the hallways. I don’t know if the home is haunted. I would love to investigate, though. Who knows? Maybe the next time I’m in the Crescent City!

“Lagniappe” Is a Little Something Special

31 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by in New Orleans

≈ Comments Off on “Lagniappe” Is a Little Something Special

Tags

, , , , ,

Food in New Orleans

New Orleans has some of the best Cajun and Creole food on the planet.

“Lagniappe” Is a Little Something Special

I would be remiss if I failed to discuss the various eateries in New Orleans. All you ghost hunting fans indulge me for one post. There is good eating in New Orleans. There are also some overhyped restaurants out there. The best meal I had was at Drago’s Seafood Restaurant in our hotel the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, 2 Poydras Street. The Chicken Grillades with Grits was amazing! The Creole sauce made this dish savory with a slight kick of heat. Next time I’ll try the charbroiled oysters, the dish they are most known for.

New Orleans is synonymous with Muffuletta, the round sandwich piled with Italian deli meats and an olive relish. Although many have attempted to imitate, the original is in the French Quarter at Café Maspero, 601 Decatur Street. In the past I’ve stood in line at Central Grocery to purchase, but I prefer sit-down dining.

Beignets are not on the diet! The square deep fried doughnut heavily dusted with powdered sugar is worth the cheat though. Café du Monde is where to go for a plate of 3 and fresh coffee. Buy the prepackaged mixes to recreate back at home.

The Gumbo Shop, 630 Saint Peter Street, seems to always have a line. Plan your day around a late lunch or early dinner to avoid it. Head around the corner and shop at the Burguieres Gallery to kill some time (See earlier post). Originally made with seafood, gumbo can have seafood or chicken. Usually served over rice, this thick soup is made with a hearty roux and fills your tummy. The restaurant serves other Creole specialties, but you come here for the gumbo. And maybe the bread pudding. First the gumbo though.

The most disappointing restaurant was Mother’s. Don’t sit in the back room with the bar. That seems to be reserved for locals who get table service. Although the line moved swiftly, we waited over 45—yes, you read correctly—minutes for our food. The hold up? According to the staff it takes 45 minutes to deep fry the chicken for the po’ boy sandwich. Yep. Blamed it on the chicken. In addition, it was nearly impossible to get a refill during that 45 minute wait. The Famous Ferdi Special was underwhelming with lots of juice but little flavor. And served cold.

Before you visit New Orleans read up on the restaurants. Diana K. Schwan pens candid reviews in the Frommer’s New Orleans series. Some of the reviews will have you in stiches!

Coffee

The food and drinks are not on the diet. So don’t even try.

 

 

New Orleans = ART

30 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by in Artists, New Orleans

≈ Comments Off on New Orleans = ART

Tags

, , , , ,

Burguieres Gallery

The Burguieres Gallery where Ally displays her artwork.

New Orleans = ART!

Art is alive in the French Quarter. You can buy it in the galleries or on the streets. There is artwork everywhere. New Orleans is an artist’s dream because inspiration is all around you! I remember 13 years ago when I stumbled across George Rodrigue* and his Blue Dog. I’m still kicking myself for not purchasing that painting! Needless to say, Mr. Rodrigue’s artwork is beyond my budget; however, I did discover another working artist: Ally Burguieres.

I don’t know what I like more: the fact that she works at her gallery or that she earned a Ph.D. No matter. Anyone visiting New Orleans must stop in her gallery at 736 Royal Street. Ally and her mom Janice run the gallery along with an adorable dog, Cocoa. The gallery is as whimsical as Ally’s artwork. Further, Ally is also an inventor. She created the “Wish Dog,” “a small hand-made trinket that burns wishes with a trendy smoke-blowing effect.” Visit the Garden District to view her Bead Dog. Don’t let the implied simplistic nature of Ally’s art fool you. She’s got a lot of talent. Peruse her online gallery to see the depth of her work. Visit http://www.galleryburguieres.com/ to learn more about Ally.

* Mr. Rodrigue died shortly after my visit to New Orleans.

Bead Dog

The Bead Dog Ally painted is on display in the Garden District.

Bead Dog 2

Bella “walking” her Bead Dog.

 

 

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

27 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by in Cemeteries, New Orleans

≈ Comments Off on Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

Tags

, , , ,

Lafayette Cemetery

The Virgin Mary greets you at the cemetery.

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

The Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is located in the heart of the Garden District in New Orleans. It is the oldest of the seven municipal cemeteries within the city and is named for the City of Lafayette, an area annexed into New Orleans, and has a park appearance. The above-ground tombs date back to the early 1800s. The diversity of the past is reflected in the names and languages engraved on the tombs. A wall monument holds almost 500 remains; however, there are few engraved plaques erected. More than 7,000 individuals within 1,100 family tombs are interred here. Society tombs consist of Hook and Ladder Companies, Poydras Orphans Home, the YMCA, and others. There are a lot of “Woodmen of the World” monuments here—more than I’ve ever encountered in one place. Author Anne Rice included the cemetery in several of her books. A number of the vaults are undergoing much needed repair and conservation. The cemetery is usually closed on Sundays.

Observations: Although the cemetery is closed on Sundays, we were able to enter. I personally feel that Sundays are the best day to stroll a cemetery. It is peaceful. I was greeted by a statue of the Virgin Mary—a good sign. Quite a few vaults are in need of conservation. The cemetery has a park-like feel, and even though the vaults are above-ground, the cemetery is tranquil. I received a few blips on my Ghost Radar and few words. I don’t think many spirits linger here but may stop in to see who is visiting.

Lafayette Cross

Cross in the Lafayette Cemetery.

Lafayette Landscaping

Landscaping in the Lafayette Cemetery.

Hook and Ladder Company Tomb

The tomb for one of the several Hook and Ladder Companies in Lafayette.

The Cabildo

24 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by in Ghost Hunting, New Orleans

≈ Comments Off on The Cabildo

Tags

, ,

Cabildo

Postcard of the Cabildo in New Orleans.

Cabildo

Flanking the other side of the St. Louis Cathedral is the Cabildo. The original building was destroyed in the Great New Orleans Fire of 1788. Rebuilt between 1795-1799, the Cabildo served as a prison, government headquarters, and courtroom. The landmark court case Plessy v. Ferguson (for my lawyer friends) was heard in the Sala Capitular. A large restoration campaign kicked off in 1895 when the building was in a state of decay and ready for demolition. In 1911, the building became home to the Louisiana State Museum. Today, collection showcases the history of New Orleans.

Observations: The first floor still looks like a prison. It has the damp feel of the brick walls and the musty odor of age. It feels haunted. Large oil canvases capture the founders of the city, as well as the infamous. Walking through the building I felt a heaviness that could be attributed to the air quality. The Ghost Radar was picking up a lot of blips. Relevant words consisted of: “Mary,” “European,” and “burn.” As noted above, the original building was destroyed in a fire. There are several portraits containing women who could be “Mary.” And the Europeans weighed (another generated word) heavily in the history of the city. If there was a haunted building in New Orleans, it should be this one. I would love to return and conduct a night investigation.

Cabildo Display

Cabildo display of burial traditions.

Cabildo Death

Display in the Cabildo.

 

 

 

The Presbytere

23 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by in Disasters, Ghost Hunting, New Orleans

≈ Comments Off on The Presbytere

Tags

, , , , , ,

The Presbytere flanks the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans.

The Presbytere flanks the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans.

The Presbytere

Originally called the “Casa Curial” (Ecclesiastical House), the Presbytere was built in 1793 to house the Capuchin monks who ran the St. Louis Cathedral. Designed to complement the Cabildo which buttresses the cathedral on the other side, the Presbytere has been used for commercial purposes and as a courthouse. The State purchased the building in 1911 and converted it into a museum. Currently, it houses the “Living with Hurricanes: Katrina & Beyond” exhibit that captures the devastation endured by Hurricane Katrina and the elaborate “Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time in Louisiana.” Visit http://www.crt.state.la.us/museum/properties/presbytere/ for more information.

Observations: A stunning art installation of hanging soda bottles reflecting colored light welcomes you into the building. Straight ahead you see the Fats Domino’s piano, recovered following Hurricane Katrina. The “Living with Hurricanes” exhibit is eye-opening for anyone who has never lived in a hurricane-prone area. I especially liked the faded blue jeans with one man’s personal information. He used a Sharpie marker to write his Social Security Number, address, and wife’s contact information just in case he died during the hurricane’s aftermath.

The second floor is festive with an extensive historical analysis of Margi Gras. The collection includes float designs, costume designs, costumes, pageantry, and everything related to the early days of Mardi Gras. Anyone visiting New Orleans should visit. It is well worth the price of admission—which is cheap!

Photographs did not capture any irregularities. My Ghost Radar wasn’t that active either. I would love to go back for a full-on night investigation, though.

The used soda bottles reflecting colored light.

The used soda bottles reflecting colored light.

Fats Domino's piano recovered after Hurricane Katrina.

Fats Domino’s piano recovered after Hurricane Katrina.

It's Mardi Gras every day.

It’s Mardi Gras every day.

 

 

 

 

Pere Antoine

16 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by in Churches, Famous People, New Orleans, Statues and Monuments

≈ Comments Off on Pere Antoine

Tags

, , , ,

St. Anthony's Garden dedicated in the memory of Pere Antoine.

St. Anthony’s Garden dedicated in the memory of Pere Antoine.

Pere Antoine

Antonio de Sedella (1748-1829) led the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis, King of France, commonly known as the St. Louis Cathedral, in New Orleans during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Affectionately called “Pere Antoine,” his ghost is said to haunt the side alleyway beside the church. Further, he was a confidant of the Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. Three days after his death, Pere Antoine was buried beneath the church he loved so much.

Tucked behind the St. Louis Cathedral is the secluded garden St. Anthony’s Garden dedicated in honor of Pere Antoine. Within the walls stands a statue of Jesus with outstretched arms. At night, the lights illuminate the statue and it appears larger than life against the back wall of the church. It is simply stunning.

Hurricane Katrina knocked the thumbs off of the statue. It is reported that the Diocese will fix the statue once New Orleans is fully healed from the Category 5 hurricane’s destruction.

Observations: We visited the area during the day and on several evenings. It is difficult to bypass the splendor when walking the French Quarter. Orbs of various sizes were captured in numerous photographs. The Ghost Radar picked up many words. Although none of the group witnessed any abnormal anomalies beyond the orbs, the picturesque landscape sparks the imagination. I would love to return and complete a full investigation.

Orbs around St. Anthony's Garden.

Orbs around St. Anthony’s Garden.

 

 

We’re in New Orleans!

05 Thursday Dec 2013

Posted by in Churches, New Orleans

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, ,

Established as a parish in 1720.

Established as a parish in 1720.

St. Louis Cathedral

Tucked between the Presbytere and the Cabildo, the St. Louis Cathedral overlooks Jackson Square. And it truly is the heart of Old New Orleans.

History: This church was established as a parish in 1720. Starting in 1727, parishioners have celebrated life and death here. Originally built in the construction style of “brick between posts” (briquete entre poteaux), the church stood for 60 years before a fire consumed the main building in 1788. A second church was built and opened in December, 1794.

Observations: We visited the cathedral several times during this trip. Often compared (unfairly I would add) to its European counterparts, the St. Louis Cathedral beckons to an earlier time. Let’s face it: This church is old. The last major renovation was in 1849. However, it is stunning. Upon entering the church, visitors are welcomed by a serene calm. And the feeling is more powerful at night. Although we did not detect any paranormal activities within the building, there was activity outside. Stay tuned for the next installment.