The St. Phillip Street Morgue
There was once a morgue on St. Phillip Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, many years ago. Today, the atmosphere of the street at night looks calm and peaceful, yet there is a certain still and sadness that can be felt as well, no matter how many people may be walking around. The building at 626 St. Phillip Street is currently unoccupied, but was most recently a bar. Over 150 years ago the building served as a morgue, and in 1853 the yellow fever epidemic struck the city of New Orleans. There were so many deaths in the city due to the outbreak (11,000), that every morgue in the city became full to capacity.
The St. Phillip Street morgue was so overcrowded that bodies were stacked on each other five times over before caskets were available. Bodies would be all over the street, with the exception of a small walkway that led to the cemetery. All the loved ones of the dead could do was say goodbye in the street with a small touch and then be forced to walk away for fear of the disease spreading even more. Eventually, the construction of cemeteries and crematories began to increase and were able to balance everything out, but the site of this ugly scene has seemed to be etched into history forever. People who walk on the street may experience cold spots, feelings of sadness, and feelings of loss.
(Source: Dwyer, Jeff. Ghost Hunter’s Guide to New Orleans. 2007.)
