Louisiana is rich in many ways -- from a wide variety of cultures that collide to produce the unique heritage of Creole people, to Zydeco and Cajun music, festivals, tradition, food and more.  With so much history, there's bound to be a few ghost stories.  Well, we have plenty as a matter of fact.

Most people are familiar with haunted locations and cemeteries in the New Orleans French Quarter to the Baton Rouge area plantations.  However, there are many haunted locations, spooky places and ghost sightings on the other end of Louisiana as well. Southwest Louisiana (SWLA) has several hot-spots with well documented paranormal activity and below are our favorite "Top 5 Haunted Locations."

SWLA is comprised of 5 parishes which are the following: AllenBeauregardCalcasieuCameronJefferson Davis. Those five parishes were once one large parish, better known as "Imperial Calcasieu."

Within the five-parish area, we have more than our share of spooky ghost stories.  However, below is our "Top Five Haunted Locations."  Enjoy!


Located at 1000 Ryan St, in Lake Charles, La. the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse is said to be haunted by Toni Jo Henry (born Annie Beatrice McQuiston), the only female to die under the death penalty in Louisiana by electric chair. Toni Jo was a wild card until she fell in love with Claude Henry (nicknamed Cowboy) at a brothel she worked at.  Cowboy, was later arrested for murder and sentenced to 50 years in prison. Toni and a friend, Harold Finnan (Arkie) Burks planned to bust Cowboy out, but needed a getaway car.  One of them murdered its owner, leaving his body in a ditch. Bragging about the murder got them caught, leading to their executions.

Toni Jo has never left the courthouse.  To this day people can see her roaming the halls, hear her talking or scream and even smell her perfume.Toni Jo's story of love, abuse and tragedy made it to the big screen in 2013 the movie, The Pardon. Below is a look at the trailer:


Located at 2772 Edgerly on DeQuincy Highway, in Vinton, La., you'll find one of the oldest protestant churches west of the Mississippi.  Founded in 1827, the church was erected about the same time the Sabine River was made the official boundary of the state.

The original church was a log cabin, and it was later replaced by a cypress clapboard building. The congregation worshiped there for roughly 150 years until the church burned down. The Antioch Primitive Baptist and Big Woods Cemetery are connected by a small pass and sit on 14 acres of land.  There used to be a gate separating the two, but now there's a sign that reads, "Beware of children...Children at play."

The cemeteries are were many of the areas first settlers and pioneers are buried. The oldest grave belongs to Hardy Coward, dating back to 1844.  Many say the cemeteries are haunted and there are countless reports of folks seeing shadows, hearing people talking, seeing apparitions and even being chased. People also say whenever they visit, they experience electrical interference on their tech devises.

See what happened when these people when they decided to put the cemetery ghosts to the test.


The Beauregard Parish Jail is located in Courthouse Square in DeRidder, La. Built in 1914 the spooky looking building is known as the "Hanging Jail."  The old jail, looks nothing like any in the world.  As a matter of fact, the historic building has all the characteristics of a university or church, rather than a jail.  It seems that was the architects intent, because it was built with a collegiate Gothic architectural style, with shallow arches, dormer windows, and a central tower. This style was popular with colleges, universities and churches.


The Strand Theatre is located 432 North Main Street, in Jennings, La.  The theatre was built in 1939 and is one of many structures in SWLA that have been designed by famous New Orleans architects Favrot, Reed, and Fred.

The 1930's-era movie house is still in operation to a certain extent.  Every month a live country music show is held, plus a variety of  performing arts showcases.  Not to mention, being the home of "A Block off Broadway" community theater group.

Word is the Strand Theater is haunted by its former owner, Mr. Red May. Some say he hangs out in the balcony of the theater and enjoys the various performances. While others say they've not only seen his ghost, but have heard their names being called when they stand in the balcony.  They say it's as if someone is standing right next to them.  Theater performers witnessed the balcony doors opening and closing and much. Care to check it out yourself?  Call and make an appointment to take a tour (337) 821-5532 or (337) 821-5500.

Strand Theatre - Scott Lewis
Strand Theatre - Scott Lewis
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Built in 1924, the Historic Elizabeth Town Hall used to serve as a hospital for the towns Industrial Lumber Co,. which was founded in 1907. The old hospital still has the original rope-operated elevator and is listed in the National Historic Register for the State of Louisiana.

Now home to the town's City Hall, Elizabeth Town Hall is located at 230 Popular Street in Elizabeth, La.  Though there's no hardcore evidence, some say the hospitals former patients never left.

Honorable Mentions

There are several other locations that haven't exactly been confirmed as haunted, like the Charleston Hotel and USS Orlek Navel Museum in Lake Charles and the DeQuincy Railroad Museum  just a to name a few.  However that pretty much rounds out the Top 5 Haunted Places Southwest Louisiana. Next time you're in our neck of the woods, come for the food, the hospitality and a few ghosts!

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