Facts from New Orleans History

     New Orleans is Commonly known as the most haunted city in America. On any given night you'll likely encounter above ground graveyards, an 18th century mansion and a tour guide telling stories of the city's haunted history.

     The yellow fever epidemic from 1817-1905 caused the city to lose 41,000 lives. Yellow fever cases peaked during the warmer months when mosquitos are most active. Many families fled, but those who stayed, one out of every 10 people perished.



     The LaLaurie Mansion on 1114 Royal Street-this house is well know in the city, and now beyond due to Kathy Bates portrayal of Madame Delphine LaLaurie on American Horror Story. Madame Lalaurie enslaved African American's and was an extremely cruel mistress and slave owner. After a terrible accident involving her 12-year-old slave girl falling off of their roof and perishing from injuries, the authorities were called. Cruel treatment of slaves was prohibited by law, and the LaLaurie's slaves were taken away from he house only to be sold at auction. However, one of the family friends bought the slaves and retired them to the LaLaurie family. Slaves were found mutilated and experimented on in a locked room. One slave in particular tried to burn the house down in order to end her own suffering. Delphine never paid for her crimes. She slipped quietly out of the city before she could be apprehended by the police.

     Marie Laveau, the voodoo Queen of New Orleans. She was a black voodoo priestess of tremendous beauty and power. Rumors of her power are so persistent that her grave is still visited today. People leave tokens in exchange for small requests. Voodoo is a large part of New Orleans' history. Voodoo (or voudon) is a combination of West African religion from those that were brought over as slaves, the Christianity they adopted, and the Native American traditions that were blended in. Marie Laveau was born around 1801 to the freed slave Marguerite and a free, wealthy businessman-Charles Laveaux. Marie was the first generation in the family to be born free. Laveau actually owned several slaves herself. She was able to rise to a prominent position in New Orleans through a combination of her strong personality, charity work, and a natural flair for theatrics. She performed acts of community service, such as nursing yellow fever patients. she also posted bail for free women of color, and visited condemned prisoners to pray with them during their final hours. After her death in 1881, her legend only continued to grow.








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