Oak Alley Plantation

Posted: 11.12.2024 | Updated: 11.12.2024

Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana, is the epitome of what you picture for a grand Southern estate. Large windows with shutters line the first and second floors, flanked by tall, white columns on either side. Lining the path leading up to the house on either side are the property’s famous oak trees. 

The house is so picturesque that it even made it to the big screen, acting as the home of Louis du Pointe du Lac, played by Brad Pitt in Interview with a Vampire. But lurking behind the beautiful architecture and Southern charm is something much more sinister — perhaps a penance for its heinous history. 

Is the Oak Alley Plantation Haunted?

The Oak Alley Plantation is often referred to as one of the most haunted homes in all of Louisiana, and for good reason. The property has several resident apparitions that make regular appearances, and new ghost sightings are reported constantly. 

These spiritual anomalies are commonplace in the area surrounding New Orleans. If you want to experience some of the most haunted locations in The Big Easy for yourself, book a ghost tour with New Orleans Ghosts today.

A House Built by Slave Labor 

In 1820, the property was bought to raise sugarcane. Enslaved people were used for labor to work vast acreage. Soon, Jacque Roman took ownership of the land and decided he wanted to live on site. 

From 1834 to 1837, his mansion was built. As most of the materials had to be shipped in via steamboat, it was a vastly expensive and exhaustive construction process. Roman’s slaves carried out the entire building process. 

While there are records of several enslaved people escaping, there were between 110 and 120 enslaved people living on the property at a time. As they lived in one small area known as “the quarters,” disease spread quickly through the population, especially in the mid-1850s when there was a Yellow Fever outbreak. 

After the end of the Civil War, the property was sold off at a very low price. While its days of owning slaves were over, the memory of the plantation’s morbid history wasn’t forgotten. 

Hauntings of the Oak Alley Plantation

While the plantation now acts as a museum, staff and visitors alike continue to see strange sightings throughout the property, like dust billowing around the house when there isn’t a breeze to be found. So, who is responsible for these strange occurrences?

Recognizable from their old photos, staff believe that several homeowners seem trapped within its walls. The question remains: have they chosen to stay in their beloved estate? Or are they unable to leave? 

The ghost of Louise Roman

One of the Roman children was Louise. Having been raised in high society, Louise had certain expectations for her courting process when she turned of age. One night, a drunk gentleman caller stopped by and either tried to force himself on Louise or just really offended her. Either way, Louise wanted to get away in a hurry and began running up the long staircase. 

As was the fashion at the time, Louise was wearing a dress with hoops in it, and she ended up tripping over her dress. As she fell, she broke her leg quite badly. While the doctors did their best, gangrene set in, and she eventually had to have it amputated. After the accident, no man would come near Louise, and she died alone. 

Today, one of the most commonly spotted apparitions is a woman in black — often seen with black hair or wearing a black garment. She’s been seen riding a pale horse throughout the property or standing near the staircase. People believe this is Louise, still heartbroken. Cries are often heard throughout the home; many believe these are Louise’s.  

Additionally, people also have experienced an intense, sudden dread when they begin ascending the steps. 

Josephine Stewart’s second-floor haunting

One of the most famous ghost stories from the Oak Valley Plantation involved four workers. After locking up for the night, they noticed from the parking lot that a light in one of the upstairs bedrooms was still on. 

They were sure all the lights had been turned off. As they looked closer at the bedroom window, they saw a woman looking down at them. Familiar with the family history, they recognized the woman as Josephine Stewart, the home's last owner. 

Rather than investigate further, the four drove off in their cars. When they looked back, the house was dark. 

The sounds of invisible horses 

Guests and staff often hear horses neighing and clomping around the property. Specifically, they’ll also hear what sounds like a carriage being drawn by a horse. 

The problem is, when they go to look at the horse, there is none there. In fact, the property doesn’t even own a carriage anymore. These can only be explained as remainders from the plantation’s heyday. 

Objects moving on their own 

Furniture and objects throughout the Oak Alley mansion tend to mysteriously move on their own accord. The rocking chairs, for example, have been spotted rocking in unison, with no person sitting in the seat. 

Another incident involved a candlestick being thrown across the room. This happened during a tour when over 30 people witnessed the bewildering event. 

Haunted New Orleans

Just an hour away from the Oak Alley Plantation is the beating heart of Louisianan culture: New Orleans. 

New Orleans has long had ties to the underworld because of its unique history. Between its above-ground cemeteries and voodoo practitioners, many people feel closer to the dead in New Orleans than anywhere else in America. If you want to be in the area with the most spiritual activity, you can’t beat the French Quarter. 

Home to famously haunted mansions like the Beauregard-Keyes house and the LaLaurie Mansion, guests can hear the cries of Madame LaLaurie’s victims or maybe even spot a shadowy figure. For a truly bewitching experience of New Orleans, book a ghost tour with New Orleans Ghosts today. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and keep reading our blog for more real Louisiana hauntings.

Sources:

https://www.tiki-toki.com/timeline/entry/89911/History/#vars!panel=831919!

https://hauntedus.com/louisiana/oak-alley-plantation-haunted