Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 and No. 2
New Orleans - the Crescent City. The name brings about so many different thoughts and feelings to people all over the world. The historic French Quarter with it's famed Bourbon Street, beautiful architecture and of course Mardi Gras celebrations is usually what comes to mind. There is also the beautiful Garden District with gorgeous houses, and tree lined streets. For some people, it is the unique above ground cemeteries.
Due to the city lying below sea level, the city was often subjected to flooding. Because of this, the people of New Orleans could not bury their dead below ground, so they built beautiful above ground tombs. There are many of these cemeteries in the New Orleans area, but for now, we will take a quick look at the Lafayette Cemetery Number 1 and Number 2.
Lafayette Cemetery Number 1 (LC1), which is located in the Garden District, was founded in 1833 and is still in use today. The cemetery is one city block in size and is believed to be the resting place to about 7,000 people. Some of the more famous names who are buried here are John Ferguson of the Plessy vs. Ferguson case and Harry Hays who was a general during the American Civil War.
LC1 is a major tourist attraction for those visiting the Garden District area. There are many online self guided tours, or you can take one of the guided tours led by guides who work on tips. For me, though, half the fun is just taking my time and strolling through the cemetery on my own. You can honestly spend a great amount of time just looking at all the tombs, and still not see everything.
A couple of blocks away from LC1, is Lafayette Cemetery 2 (LC2). LC2 sits outside of the Garden District is not as frequently visited by tourists. So, if LC1 is too crowded for you, you may want to visit LC2. Please visit during the daytime hours though as this area is not as safe as the Garden District. LC2 is home to various society tombs such as the Butcher's society.
Both cemeteries have ghostly reports, such as being touched, hearing voices when no one else is around and people seeing shadow figures amongst the tombs. With the morbid beauty that comes with these above ground cities to the dead, it is no wonder why there would be reports of ghosts. Whether haunted or not, the Lafayette Cemeteries are certainly worth a visit while in the Crescent City.
Due to the city lying below sea level, the city was often subjected to flooding. Because of this, the people of New Orleans could not bury their dead below ground, so they built beautiful above ground tombs. There are many of these cemeteries in the New Orleans area, but for now, we will take a quick look at the Lafayette Cemetery Number 1 and Number 2.
Lafayette Cemetery Number 1 (LC1), which is located in the Garden District, was founded in 1833 and is still in use today. The cemetery is one city block in size and is believed to be the resting place to about 7,000 people. Some of the more famous names who are buried here are John Ferguson of the Plessy vs. Ferguson case and Harry Hays who was a general during the American Civil War.
LC1 is a major tourist attraction for those visiting the Garden District area. There are many online self guided tours, or you can take one of the guided tours led by guides who work on tips. For me, though, half the fun is just taking my time and strolling through the cemetery on my own. You can honestly spend a great amount of time just looking at all the tombs, and still not see everything.
A couple of blocks away from LC1, is Lafayette Cemetery 2 (LC2). LC2 sits outside of the Garden District is not as frequently visited by tourists. So, if LC1 is too crowded for you, you may want to visit LC2. Please visit during the daytime hours though as this area is not as safe as the Garden District. LC2 is home to various society tombs such as the Butcher's society.
Both cemeteries have ghostly reports, such as being touched, hearing voices when no one else is around and people seeing shadow figures amongst the tombs. With the morbid beauty that comes with these above ground cities to the dead, it is no wonder why there would be reports of ghosts. Whether haunted or not, the Lafayette Cemeteries are certainly worth a visit while in the Crescent City.
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