Louisiana Myths & Legends Byway - Allen, Beauregard & Vernon Parishes

Ghost Itinerary

Gothic Hanging Jail
TIME: 30 Minutes

This gothic jail dates back to 1914. It was the last in the state to practice the death penalty by hanging. Two prisoners were hung from the top of the stairwell. Their bodies could be seen by all the cells in the prison that surrounded the spiral structure. The jail is believed to be haunted by the spirit of the old jailor who is sometimes seen standing in the window of the old jail. An artist rendering of his image adorns the Beauregard Parish kiosk murals. 

Gothic Hanging Jail
301 1st Street
70634 DeRidder , LA
Old Campground
TIME: 20 minutes

Old Campground Cemetery was established in the 1820s and was part of the neutral strip of land known as "No Man's Land." Legend says that a young Dr. Salter took a fancy to one of the beautiful ladies of Sugartown and asked for her hand to dance at the local soiree. She accepted; however, her jilted ex-beau was none too happy about it and shot Dr. Salter dead. After the funeral, several local boys decided to go out to the graveyard and reclaim a gold ring from Dr. Salter's grave. Under the stillness of the night they began to dig. All was quiet at first, until the boys got about four shovelfuls deep. Suddenly, the wind howled and blew so hard that trees parted right down the middle. The boys were so spooked that they dropped their shovels and fled. The doctor now rests peacefully in his grave, gold ring still with him. 

Old Campground
309 Old Campground Road
70637 Dry Creek , LA
Talbert-Pierson Cemetery 
TIME: 20 minutes

Mystery surrounds the Talbert-Pierson Cemetery with its little wooden houses and picket fences built over the graves. Many believe they are part of the early traditions brought to the south after the Civil War. Some say it was the lack of rock like those used in the northern cemeteries. Others say they were built to keep the rain off the faces of the deceased. To this day, the exact reason these little houses were built remains a mystery. 

Talbert-Pierson Cemetery 
277 (Victor Martin Road)
70656 Cravens , LA
Pleasant Hill Cemetery
TIME: 20 minutes

Some people say Pleasant Hill Cemetery is haunted by a ghostly young mother and her son. Mary Lee Stone Krueger died in 1973 in a house fire. Her son, ironically named Freddy Krueger, died 18 years earlier alsoi n a house fire. They are both buried in the cemetery. Legend says that if you go stand by the fence in the middle of the night, an orange flame can be seen over their graves.

Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Hwy. 473
71439 Hornbeck , LA
Old Hoy Cemetery
TIME: 20 minutes

Church gatherings and revivals were once held around the old oak tree that grew here. Remnants of the tree can still be seen. Legends say the joyous spirits of the souls that are buried here still gather and appear in the photographs taken here as glowing orbs.

Old Hoy Cemetery
Hwy. 26
70634 DeRidder , LA