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The Haunted Librarian

~ Researching, investigating, and writing about the paranormal.

The Haunted Librarian

Tag Archives: Garden District New Orleans

Historic—and Possibly Haunted—Garden District Mansion for Sale

13 Saturday Feb 2016

Posted by The Haunted Librarian 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

Garden District New Orleans, harris-maginnis home, haunted houses for sale, magnolia mansion

magnolia-mansion
NOLA--ForSale

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!

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

27 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Cemeteries, New Orleans

≈ Comments Off on Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

Tags

Cemetery, Garden District New Orleans, Mary (mother of Jesus), new orleans, Vaults

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.

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Archer Paranormal Investigations

Archer Paranormal Investigations

The Haunted Librarian

Gainesville, Florida

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