Andrew Jackson Hotel

The Andrew Jackson Hotel located in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans, has seen it's fair share of history, and ghost stories. The current, two story building has existed in this location since around 1890, and was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. However, the history of this location spans even further.

In the eighteenth century, yellow fever was a common epidemic that would sweep through New Orleans. Mortality rate was high in children, but even more so in adults. These epidemics left many children in need of schooling, and in 1792, a boys boarding school was built on the plot of land that the Andrew Jackson Hotel now sits on.

In 1794, New Orleans would see two fires sweep through the city. According to reports, the second fire consumed the boarding school, killing five of the boys. Supposedly, it is their spirits that have chosen to remain behind.

Soon after this tragedy, a Federal courthouse was put in this location. For history fans out there, this is the Federal Courthouse where General Andrew Jackson was indicted for obstruction of justice for refusing to answer interrogation questions. Perhaps this is why Andrew Jackson's ghost has been reported on the grounds as well. A spirit of a caretaker is also reported by visitors and employees of the hotel, and Room 208 is supposed to be the most haunted of all the rooms.

I had the opportunity to stay at the Andrew Jackson Hotel in December of 2017, for about four days. Although, I did not get to stay in room 208, there was plenty that happened in the room in which I stayed in. One of the main things always noted by guests and employees, is that the spirits of the school boys love to run up and down hallways, and play in the courtyard. Apparently they also really like candy. While I was staying there, I had a small bag of trail mix, which contained chocolate candies, sitting on my nightstand. On two separate nights, I was awoken in the middle of the night to the sound of someone attempting to open the bag, and on the second night, I did awaken to find the bag slightly opened. I told the boys that they were more than welcome to have some, and left some out of the bag the following nights. Shuffling and footsteps were also heard throughout the evenings of my stay there.

The Andrew Jackson did not disappoint my expectations. Not only did I have some amazing encounters during my stay there, but the hotel is beautiful, and the staff is extremely friendly. I would certainly make this my home away from home again upon  my next trip to New Orleans.

Have you stayed at the Andrew Jackson Hotel, or any other haunted hotel in New Orleans? If so, what were your experiences?