The Cabildo
The Cabildo is an enormous building that was built in 1795 on Chartres Street in New Orleans, Louisiana. This building has withstood the test of time, surviving through hurricanes and even a massive fire in 1988. Upon its completion in 1797, the Cabildo served as the seat of the colonial Spanish government known as the “Illustrious Cabildo.” Over the next 200 years, it would helped the people of New Orleans as a center for government agencies. It then became apart of the Louisiana State Museum. The Union army used the building for barracks, offices, and a warehouse during the Civil War.
During the War of 1812, part of the Cabildo was used as a prison. One of the soldiers who was held in the prison during this time is believed to still haunt within these walls to this day. The rooms at the rear of the building were used to jail the British sympathizers who were suspected of spying on the American army. One man was tried and found guilty. The punishment for this was a hanging in the courtyard. The ghost of this hung soldier runs and haunts the building causing chaos. This strange presence is particularly felt in the hallway of the second floor.
As people visit the courtyard, they are overcome with a sense of sadness and pain. Some people have even reported seeing the apparition of this soldier swinging at the end of a rope. The paranormal activity at the Cabildo increased greatly after the fire in 1988, which lead to new renovations on the building. The security staff of the building often reports being pushed by unseen hands as they are walking on patrol at night. People who have attended social functions at the Cabildo report the feeling of someone rush by them, causing drinks and plates to crash to the floor. Some are able to see the presence as a young man in a torn up uniform. The apparition is most often seen in the courtyard in the early morning.
(Source: Dwyer, Jeff. Ghost Hunter’s Guide to New Orleans. 2007.)
