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The pictures now displayed are from Cemeteries in New Orleans, La.
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These pictures where taken at St. Louis Cemeteries 1, 2 & 3, the three oldest remaining in New Orleans, consecrated by the Catholic Church in the early 1700's.
All cemeteries in New Orleans where built above ground because of the shallow water table, if you dug a sixfoot hole you would soon have 5 feet 11 3/4 inches of water in the hole. As a result, a coffin would float in the grave, it literally had to be sunk. A coffin placed in a freshly dug grave floated on the top until men forced it down with long poles. Often freshly buried
bodies where known to float away after severe thunderstorms.
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These high walls surrounding the graveyards served a number of purposes.
They served as protection from wild animals, they were necessary at that time because New Orleans was surrounded by swamps and wilderness. They also detered grave robber, and as the city grew they allowed the residents near these graveyards to enjoy their poarches in summer without this view intruding upon their serenity.
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This Greek Revival Style Grave
in St. Louis Cemetary #1
is reported to be that of Marie Laveau.
Marie was a voodoo priestess well known
as the Mulatto daughter of a wealthy plantation owner an d one of his slaves as well advisor to many important city officials.
The markings on her grave are placed there by
those individuals who ask a favor of Marie's spirit, one X asks for something to be done for someone, two XX ask for something to be done too someone.
Is it a mystery then to see that there are more double crosses than single.
Last updated 2/15/2000
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