37 Facts About Lalaurie Mansion

The Dark History of Lalaurie Mansion

The Lalaurie Mansion, located in the heart of New Orleans' French Quarter, is infamous for its gruesome past. This mansion has a history that intertwines wealth, social status, and unspeakable cruelty. Let's explore the chilling facts about this notorious residence.

1. Historical Background: The Lalaurie Mansion was constructed in 1838 as a private residence. However, its history begins earlier, in 1831, when Madame Delphine Macarty Lalaurie acquired the property from Edmond Soniat du Fossat, who was already building a house for her. The original structure was burned by a mob in 1834 and later rebuilt by Pierre Trastour after 1838.

2. Madame Delphine Macarty Lalaurie: Born on March 19, 1787, Madame Delphine Macarty Lalaurie was a wealthy socialite and slave owner. Her family, the Macartys, were influential and wealthy, having arrived early during the French colonization period.

3. Marriage and Early Life: Madame Lalaurie married Don Ramon de Lopez y Angullo, a high-ranking Spanish officer, on June 11, 1800, at the St. Louis Cathedral. After her husband's mysterious death in Havana en route to Madrid, she returned to New Orleans with her young daughter, Borquita.

4. Social Status: Known for her lavish parties, Madame Lalaurie held a prominent position in New Orleans society. Despite her cruel treatment of slaves, she was polite to black people in public and even manumitted two of her slaves.

The Horrors Unveiled

The mansion's dark secrets came to light following a tragic event that shocked the community and revealed the true nature of Madame Lalaurie's cruelty.

5. Investigation and Allegations: In 1828, Madame Lalaurie was first investigated for cruelty towards enslaved people. Although court records from this investigation have not been found, documentation shows she paid for legal services and sold several enslaved people following the investigation.

6. The 1834 Fire: On April 10, 1834, a fire broke out in the kitchen of the Lalaurie Mansion. Firefighters discovered seven slaves, more or less horribly mutilated, locked inside the building. This discovery led to widespread outrage and condemnation of Madame Lalaurie's actions.

7. Mob Violence: The discovery of the mutilated slaves sparked a mob reaction. A crowd of over 4,000 people gathered at the Cabildo, and neighbors ransacked the mansion, destroying what was left of the burned structure. The Lalauries fled to Lake Pontchartrain and eventually relocated to Paris.

8. Escape and Exile: Madame Lalaurie and her family escaped the mob just before they took control of the mansion. The exact whereabouts of the family for the next 15 years are unclear, but it is known that Madame Lalaurie died in Paris on December 7, 1849.

The Aftermath and Legacy

The mansion's story didn't end with the Lalauries' departure. The building has undergone various transformations and remains a significant part of New Orleans' history.

9. Burial Controversy: It is believed that Madame Lalaurie's body was brought back to New Orleans and buried at the St. Louis Cemetery. However, the exact location of her grave remains a topic of debate.

10. Rebuilding and Later Uses: After the original mansion was burned, it was rebuilt by Pierre Trastour. Over the years, the structure has been used as a public high school, a conservatory of music, an apartment building, a refuge for young delinquents, a bar, and a furniture store.

11. Architectural Features: The current structure at 1140 Royal Street features a third floor and rear building added later in the 19th century. The rear building on Governor Nicholls Street was remodeled in the 1970s with the addition of a second floor.

12. Entrance and Decorations: The entrance to the building bears iron grillwork, and the door is carved with an image of Phoebus in his chariot, along with wreaths of flowers and garlands in bas-relief. Inside, the vestibule is floored in black and white marble, and a curved mahogany-railed staircase runs the full three stories of the building.

The Haunting Tales

The mansion's gruesome history has given rise to numerous ghost stories and legends, making it a popular stop on ghost tours in New Orleans.

13. Drawing Rooms: The second floor holds three large drawing rooms connected by ornamented sliding doors. The walls are decorated with plaster rosettes, carved woodwork, black marble mantle pieces, and fluted pilasters.

14. Ghost Stories and Hauntings: The Lalaurie Mansion is a popular stop on ghost tours in New Orleans. Many believe the house is haunted by the ghosts of the enslaved people who were tortured and murdered there. The story of Madame Lalaurie has been featured in the series American Horror Story: Coven.

15. Current Ownership: The mansion is currently privately owned by an oil tycoon from Texas, who has lived there since about 2012/2013. The house is not open to the public for tours, but visitors can view it from the outside as part of a guided walking tour or ghost tour.

16. Historical Significance: The Lalaurie Mansion is a landmark of the French Quarter in New Orleans and a significant part of the city's dark history. It serves as a reminder of the brutal treatment of enslaved people during the 19th century.

Tourism and Pop Culture

The mansion's dark history and supposed hauntings have made it a popular destination for tourists and a subject of fascination in popular culture.

17. Tourism and Pop Culture: Many tourists visit the Lalaurie Mansion because of its supposed hauntings. Historian Tiya Miles has criticized the manner in which tourism and pop culture have glorified the mistreatment of enslaved people through ghost stories used to entertain visitors.

18. Historical Accounts: Historian Carolyn Marrow Long noted that Madame Lalaurie was first investigated in 1828 for cruelty towards enslaved people. Despite this, she continued to mistreat her slaves, leading to the tragic events of 1834.

19. Leah's Story: One account describes Madame LaLaurie as becoming enraged when a twelve-year-old slave girl named Leah accidentally hit a snag while combing LaLaurie’s hair. LaLaurie chased the girl around the room with a whip until the child leaped off the balcony to her death. Leah was buried behind the mansion grounds.

20. Investigation Findings: When the LaLauries denied bystanders entrance to the torture room, they broke down the doors and found seven mutilated slave bodies. Some were hanged, others were stretched at their limbs, and still others were missing body parts. One surviving old slave woman had a wound on her head that left her too weak to walk.

21. Mob Reaction: The discovery of the torture room led to a mob attacking the LaLaurie Mansion. The surviving slaves were rescued and brought to a local jail for a macabre public viewing by more than four thousand New Orleans residents.

22. Buried Bodies: Investigators later found several bodies, including one child, buried throughout the mansion grounds. The gruesome discovery further fueled the public's outrage against Madame LaLaurie.

23. Madame LaLaurie's Escape: Madame LaLaurie and her family escaped the mansion just before the mob took control of it. The exact whereabouts of the family for the next 15 years are unclear, but it is known that Marie Delphine Macarty LaLaurie died in Paris, France, on December 7, 1849.

The Mansion Today

Despite its dark past, the Lalaurie Mansion remains a significant part of New Orleans' architectural and historical heritage.

24. Current Status: The Lalaurie Mansion is not open to the public for interior tours. Visitors can only view the exterior as part of a guided walking tour or ghost tour. The mansion's owner, an oil tycoon from Texas, has lived there since about 2012/2013.

25. Nicolas Cage Ownership: Nicolas Cage owned the house for several years in the early 2000s. Despite his ownership, the mansion remains a private residence and is not open to the public for interior tours.

26. Ghost Tours: Many people visit the Lalaurie Mansion as part of a ghost tour. Guides tell the story of Madame LaLaurie's treatment of her slaves along with tales of other dark happenings in the city. The mansion is a regular stop on ghost tours of New Orleans and attracts visitors who want to learn more about its spine-chilling history.

27. Photography: Visitors can take pictures of the Lalaurie Mansion from the outside. The mansion is located on a street corner in the French Quarter, making it easy to capture photos day or night.

28. Dark Tourism: The Lalaurie Mansion is worth seeing, particularly for those interested in ghosts or dark tourism. However, the mansion's gory past makes it inappropriate for younger visitors. Tours of the mansion may not be suitable for all audiences.

29. Booking Tours: Visitors need to book LaLaurie Mansion tours in advance. Since interior tours are not available, visitors should look for haunted history or ghost tours to see the mansion from the outside and learn about its history.

30. Nighttime Visits: Many people prefer visiting the Lalaurie Mansion at night for the spooky ambiance. However, tours also include stops at other haunted places in New Orleans, and some tours are adults-only.

Historical Documentation and Folklore

The story of Madame LaLaurie has been documented in various forms, adding to the mansion's notorious reputation.

31. Historical Documentation: The story of Madame LaLaurie was featured in the series American Horror Story: Coven. Local newspapers like The New Orleans Bee and The Advertiser documented her cruel actions, which were later reprinted in collections of stories by Henry Castellanos and George Washington Cable.

32. Folklore and Legends: Folk histories of LaLaurie's abuse and murder of those enslaved on the property circulated in Louisiana during the 19th century. These stories were reprinted in collections of stories and added to the mansion's notorious reputation.

33. Jeanne deLavigne’s Account: Jeanne deLavigne, writing in Ghost Stories of Old New Orleans (1946), alleged that LaLaurie had a "sadistic appetite [that] seemed never appeased until she had inflicted on one or more of her black servitors some hideous form of torture." However, these claims were not supported by primary sources.

34. Historical Accuracy: While some accounts of Madame LaLaurie's cruelty are well-documented, others have been embellished over time. Historian Jeanne deLavigne’s account, for example, included graphic details that were not verified by primary sources.

Cultural Impact and Preservation

The Lalaurie Mansion's story continues to captivate audiences and serves as a reminder of the brutal past.

35. Cultural Impact: The story of Madame LaLaurie has had a significant impact on popular culture. The mansion has been featured in various forms of media, including American Horror Story: Coven, and continues to attract tourists interested in its dark history.

36. Historical Preservation: Despite its dark past, the Lalaurie Mansion is a significant part of New Orleans' architectural and historical heritage. Efforts have been made to preserve the structure, although it remains a private residence and not open to the public for interior tours.

37. Legacy and Remembrance: Madame LaLaurie’s legacy serves as a reminder of the brutal treatment of enslaved people during the 19th century. The Lalaurie Mansion stands as a testament to the horrors of slavery and the importance of preserving historical accuracy in our understanding of these events.

The Dark Legacy of Lalaurie Mansion

Lalaurie Mansion stands as a chilling reminder of New Orleans' haunted past. Built in 1838, this house has seen its share of horror, especially under Madame Delphine Macarty Lalaurie. Known for her cruel treatment of enslaved people, her actions led to a mob burning the original structure in 1834. Rebuilt and repurposed over the years, the mansion has served as a school, bar, and even a refuge for delinquents. Today, it's privately owned and not open for tours, but its eerie reputation draws many curious visitors. Ghost stories and tales of hauntings keep the legend alive, making it a popular stop on ghost tours. While the mansion's dark history is undeniable, it also serves as a stark reminder of the brutal realities of slavery. The Lalaurie Mansion's legacy continues to captivate and horrify, ensuring its place in New Orleans folklore.