Oak Alley Plantation
There are four ghosts that haunt the Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana. Three of the four are members of the family that built the plantation. The Bon Sejour Plantation was later renamed Oak Alley when a twin row of oak trees were planted in the early 1700s. In total, the rows contain 14 oak trees that are planted 80 feet apart from each other. For over the span of three centuries, these oak trees have survived every natural disaster that this area of Louisiana has ever seen. The property was bought in 1836 by a man named Jacques Telesphore Roman and he built a classical revival house that still stands today. Even though his wife Celina loved the property, she yearned to live in the society of New Orleans.
Jacques died due to health reasons in 1848 and eventually Celina left business affairs of the plantation, for her heart was not in taking care of the plantation as it was for her husband. At the end of the Civil War there was so much destruction in the area that Celina would have to sell the plantation in 1866 for $32,800 dollars. She has now returned to her former home, but now as a ghost. The ghost of Celina has been seen by the Oak trees and throughout the house.
She is seen wearing black clothes with a veil that hangs to her waist. She is one of the few apparitions that is often mistaken for an actual person because she looks so real. Her husband Jacques has also been seen after death staring back at those looking out of the first floor window. The apparition of their daughter Louise is also seen wearing black clothes as if she is in mourning. Another ghost of a girl has been reported in the second floor hallway, walking about in a blue and white nightgown. She is most likely the daughter of another one of the various former owners of the plantation.
There are many other paranormal events that take place on the plantation. For instance, one may hear the sound of a carriage at the front of the manor house. On the second floor, there is a rocking chair that moves on its own. The scent of tobacco and roses are also smelt at various times in the house. At the sick room and nursery, some people feel cold spots, while others experience a burning sensation on their heads as if they are suffering from a severe fever. The luckiest guests are witnesses to the sight of Celina Roman walking amongst the oak trees. No matter when the visit is, you are most likely going to experience some paranormal event at the Oak Alley Plantation.
(Source: Dwyer, Jeff. Ghost Hunter’s Guide to New Orleans. 2007.)
