St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, located in New Orleans, Louisiana, is the oldest and one of the most prominent cemeteries in the city. Established in 1789, it replaced the older St. Peter Cemetery, which was no longer in existence after the city was redesigned following a devastating fire in 1788. The cemetery is situated eight blocks from the Mississippi River, on the north side of Basin Street, just beyond the inland border of the French Quarter. It has been in continuous use since its foundation, making it a significant historical site in New Orleans.
The cemetery is renowned for its above-ground vaults, a distinctive feature of New Orleans cemeteries. These vaults were constructed in the 18th and 19th centuries and are a testament to the city's unique burial practices, influenced by its French and Spanish heritage. The architectural style of the cemetery is predominantly Neo-Classical, with contributions from architects like Florville Foy and P.H. Monsseaux. The cemetery's layout and design reflect the cultural and historical influences that have shaped New Orleans over the centuries.
It was one of our last remaining days on this wonderful trip to New Orleans, and a coworker suggested that we tour this cemetary. I'd heard many things about it, and my coworker assured me that it was interesting as this would be her second tour of it.
We purchased our tickets online and met as a group for the walk to the starting point of the tour in a museum across the street from the cemetary.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is the final resting place of many notable New Orleanians. Among them is Etienne de Boré, a wealthy pioneer of the sugar industry and the first mayor of New Orleans. The cemetery also houses the tomb of Homer Plessy, the plaintiff in the landmark 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court decision on civil rights1. Another prominent figure interred here is Ernest N. "Dutch" Morial, the first African-American mayor of New Orleans, although his body was later reinterred at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3.
One of the most famous individuals believed to be buried in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is Marie Laveau, the renowned Voodoo priestess. Her supposed burial site, the Glapion family crypt, attracts numerous visitors and has become a focal point for those interested in the mystical and spiritual aspects of New Orleans' history. The cemetery also includes the graves of Bernard de Marigny, a French-Creole aristocrat and politician, and Barthelemy Lafon, an architect and surveyor who allegedly became one of Jean Lafitte's pirates.
The tour guide we were given was a professional. He had the entire presentation memorized, but kept it from seeming too recited. He recounted the tales and legends, talked about some of the famous or infamous "residents" of the cemetary, and some of the curious voodoo-related practices that have been nearby.
We notice a cat wandering the cemetary as well. She was obviously keeping the mice at bat, and judging by her size, was eating quite well.
The cemetery has inspired various cultural references and artistic works. For instance, it was the inspiration for an Alkemia Perfumes' scent named after it, described as "an atmospheric brooding of Spanish moss, crumbling stone, old cement, red clay brick, and graveyard dirt". The cemetery's haunting beauty and historical significance have made it a popular subject for artists, writers, and filmmakers, further cementing its place in the cultural fabric of New Orleans.
Today, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is a protected historical site, included on the National Register of Historic Places and the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail. The nonprofit group Save Our Cemeteries and commercial businesses offer tours for a fee, allowing visitors to explore the rich history and cultural heritage of this iconic New Orleans landmark. The cemetery continues to be a place of reverence and remembrance, reflecting the city's diverse and storied past.
