Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

Lafayette Cemetery Number-1, located in new Orleans, Louisiana, has got to be one of the most interesting cemeteries in the world. Steeped in rich history, it is also one of the most visited graveyards. This cemetery was established in 1833, in the city of Lafayette (not to be confused with the city of Lafayette, that exists further north), now known as the Garden District of New Orleans. It sits on what used to be the Livaudais Plantation, which was divided into city squares in 1832. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, was the city’s first planned cemetery.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnxr6CYG8mM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Due to the fact that the city of New Orleans sits below sea level, the majority of the vaults and tombs are elevated above ground. The cemetery is part of the National Register of Historic Places, placed there in 1972. It also became part of the World Monuments Fund Watch List, in 1996.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJAa-13WCKc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Lafayette Cemetery is a thing of architectural beauty, and you can take one of many guided tours through it. Lafayette Cemetery is an interesting place to visit for Halloween, or year round.Perhaps one of the best tours is conducted through Save Our Cemeteries. The guides are known to have exceptional knowledge of the cemetery. The Save Our Cemeteries tour guides are mostly volunteers who really love to tell people about the history of the cemetery. Over 90% of the ticket price goes towards the restoration and preservation of Lafayette Cemetery. This is a win-win for everybody!

There are over 10,000 people buried in Lafayette Cemetery No-1, which encompasses a single city block. There are approximately 1100 family tombs located in this graveyard. Some veterans of the Civil War also have their final resting place here. Many victims of the yellow fever epidemic of the mid-1880’s are buried here as well.

The cemetery has been featured in a couple different movies over the years. Double Jeopardy, 1999, starring Ashley Judd, which is without a doubt, my favorite. I love a good suspense movie.

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Filed under: Cemeteries and Graveyards

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