Shrieks of terror. Whispers of torture. This is the Lalaurie Mansion. Right here on Royal Street. For nearly two centuries this infamous grey mansion has captivated and terrified New Orleanians. Built in 1832 for Marie Delphine Macarty LaLaurie and her third husband Doctor Louis LaLaurie it hosted extravagant parties. Many considered Madame Delphine LaLaurie gentle and sweet. They were anything but.
The Lalaurie Mansion’s dark history erupted on April 10 1834. A fire broke out in the kitchen quickly spreading to the slave quarters. The LaLauries unconcerned assured guests the building was empty. The party continued in the street as the quarters burned.
Guests concerned about trapped slaves broke into the quarters. Smoke billowed as mutilated slaves stumbled out. Their bodies bore the marks of whips and torture. One man had a hole in his head maggots crawling in and out. The LaLauries slipped back inside locking themselves in.
Firefighters discovered an elderly slave woman chained to the hearth. She confessed to setting the fire a suicide attempt. She led them to a heavy oak door in the attic. Beyond it was a stench of rot decay and death. The New Orleans Bee described horribly mutilated slaves suspended from their necks.
Some believe the LaLauries conducted horrific medical experiments. Victims included a woman with limbs broken at unnatural angles. Another had a mutilated sex change operation. Seven were suspended from their necks badly mutilated. Two died soon after rescue.
A furious mob demanded the LaLauries’ blood. They escaped to France. Delphine lived luxuriously in Paris dying in 1849. The mob destroyed the mansion leaving it in ruins.
Almost immediately ghostly tales emerged. People heard the shrieks of mistreated slaves. The mansion was rebuilt but never shook its curse. Owners came and went most failing within years. By the 1870s it was divided into apartments. Children heard moans groans and screams. Their parents dismissed it as imagination. One worker encountered a chained black man. His hands passed right through the figure. The mansion emptied overnight.
Even today the Lalaurie Mansion is considered haunted. People report seeing a woman with long red hair. Many believe it is Delphine LaLaurie’s spirit. This infamous house a chilling reminder of a dark past. Its story a haunting echo in the heart of New Orleans.