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American History

Shocking Tales from New Orleans’ Early French Quarter

Drawing of French Quarter's Orleans Theater
Orleans Theater, now Bourbon Orleans Hotel and site of 'haunted' ballroom. Gibson Guide and Directory of New Orleans, 1838. Public domain

Marguerite’s Second Act (c. 1902)

French Quarter street signage, tiles spell out "ST ANN"
St Ann pavement sign, New Orleans Infrogmation of New Orleans (2019, CC 4.0).

Soon after Marguerite’s death, her legend began. People lingering on Bourbon Street reported a frightening apparition at the Opera House. A ghostly woman appeared on the steps and glided down to Bourbon Street. She followed a path along Toulouse Street, over to Royal Street, and by St. Louis Cathedral. She slowly made her way over to the rooming house on St. Ann where Carlos and his lover, Lisette Lebouef, lived together.

Marguerite’s ghost allegedly turned on the gas stove, seeping poisonous gas into their room, killing both of them. Her ghost would repeat this course, gliding from the Opera House to the rooming house. She only ceased when a new tenant burned a note from Marguerite to Carlos, begging for him to come back to her. Although reported to be gone forever, some claim to still see her ghost along the streets and in the erstwhile rooming house.

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