The House of Horrors

The LaLaurie Mansion at 1140 Royal Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter has been haunted since 1834, when a fire revealed the horrors Madame Delphine LaLaurie had inflicted on enslaved people in her home.

The History

1834 discovery:

• Fire broke out
• Rescuers entered
• Found torture chamber
• Horrific conditions
• Madame fled

Delphine LaLaurie

The mistress:

• Wealthy socialite
• Three marriages
• Respected publicly
• Secret sadist
• Escaped justice

What Was Found

The attic:

• Enslaved people chained
• Evidence of torture
• Medical experiments
• Mutilations
• Deaths

The Mob

Community response:

• House attacked
• Partially destroyed
• LaLaurie escaped
• To France
• Never punished

The Haunting Begins

Immediately after:

• Screams heard
• Chains rattling
• Figures seen
• Tortured spirits
• Never stopped

Reported Phenomena

Through centuries:

• Ghostly screams
• Apparitions of victims
• Chain sounds
• Blood stains reappearing
• Terror experienced

Madame LaLaurie’s Ghost

Some report:

• Female figure
• Elegant dress
• Malevolent presence
• Upper floors
• Watching

Victim Spirits

More commonly:

• Tortured individuals
• Chains heard
• Suffering sounds
• Seeking justice
• Never at peace

Notable Incidents

Over the years:

• Tenants fleeing
• Businesses failing
• Owners disturbed
• Renovation problems
• Cursed property

Modern Era

Recent history:

• Nicolas Cage owned briefly
• Lost to foreclosure
• Private residence now
• Still reported active
• Tours outside only

Ghost Tours

New Orleans feature:

• Most popular stop
• Stories told
• Activity reported
• Photograph anomalies
• Tourist attraction

Significance

Site of documented atrocities with nearly 200 years of continuous paranormal activity.

Legacy

The LaLaurie Mansion represents the darkest chapter of New Orleans history, with spirits that seem unable or unwilling to move on from their suffering.