Are New Orleans’ Cemeteries Safe?
Are cemeteries in New Orleans safe?
Which Cemeteries Are Open in New Orleans?
St. Louis Cemetery No. 3
Metairie Cemetery: The Largest Cemetery in New Orleans
Metairie Cemetery, at under 150 acres, is the largest cemetery in New Orleans – yes, New Orleans. Despite its name, the cemetery is actually located within city limits.
Founded in 1872, it is the only cemetery in the country that used to be a racetrack - it is still laid out like a racetrack. You are not imaging things – you are walking in circles!
It is also the only park-like cemetery in the city and is home to over 1,000 trees. Many locals use it as a park. It is not uncommon to see people jogging, walking their dogs, or pushing their babies in strollers past these magnificent mausoleums and tombs.
Metairie Cemetery is the permanent home to many famous New Orleanians. Among others, its residents include Author Anne Rice, Popeyes Chicken Founder Al Copeland, Storyville madam Josie Arlington, Trumpeter Louis Prima, Gangster Carlos Marcello, Inventor of the Gin Fizz Harry Ramos, JFK Investigator Jim Garrison, First Governor of Louisiana William Claiborne, Murdered Police Chief David Hennessy, Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard, Owner of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans Tom Benson, Ruth’s Chris Steak House founder Ruth Fertel, and many many more.
There are more private mausoleums (some valued in the millions) in Metairie Cemetery than all of the cemeteries in New Orleans combined!
Frequently voted one of the top cemeteries in the WORLD, Metairie Cemetery has a wide variety of architectural styles including Egyptian Revival, Byzantine, Victorian Gothic, Greek Revival, Baroque, Islamic Revival, Neo-Classical and more.
You will find an array of exquisite stained-glass windows, unique statues and monuments, and abundance of symbolism on the tombs – including the inverted torch, four virtues, tilted cross, draped urn, the hourglass with wings and much more.
The Top 100 Tombs to Visit in New Orleans #98
Located in Greenwood Cemetery in New Orleans (5190 Canal Blvd), Frank Kavanagh’s tomb has a beautiful symbol of the secret society the Knights of Pythias.
The Top 100 Tombs to Visit in New Orleans #99
The Camors Sisters’ Tomb in St. Louis Cemetery #3 in New Orleans.
Top Mid City Recommendations to Do Before or After Your Walking Tour of New Orleans’ St. Louis Cemetery #3
Top Mid City Recommendations to Do Before or After Your Walking Tour of New Orleans’ St. Louis Cemetery #3
What to Bring on a Walking Tour of New Orleans’ Cemeteries
What to bring and what to expect on a walking tour of New Orleans’ cemeteries.
Egyptian Architecture in New Orleans’ Cemeteries: Part One
Obelisks in New Orleans cemeteries
How Many People are Buried in a New Orleans Tomb?
Marie Laveau’s tomb in St. Louis Cemetery #3 in New Orleans has eighty-people buried inside of it.
Secrets of Storyville: New Orleans’ Red-light District
A Storyville prostitute. Photograph by New Orleans photographer E.J. Bellocq.
The Oldest Cemetery in New Orleans
The Italian Benevolent Society Tomb in St. Louis Cemetery #1 in New Orleans
Happy Birthday to Jazz Legend Danny Barker
New Orleans Jazz Legend Danny Barker’s tomb in St. Louis Cemetery #2
Homer Plessy Pardoned: His New Orleans Legacy, Tomb, and Street Name.
Homer Plessy’s tomb in New Orleans St. Louis Cemetery #1. 130 years after being arrested for violating the Separate Car Act, Plessy was pardoned.
The Best Cemetery in New Orleans to View Society Tombs
The best cemetery in New Orleans to see Benevolent Society Tombs.
Do Cemeteries in New Orleans Smell?
The answer to - Do the cemeteries in New Orleans smell?
The Murder of New Orleans’ Police Chief David Hennessy & His Tomb Builder Albert Weiblen
Why New Orleans Cemeteries Are Above Ground
Above-ground tombs in St. Louis Cemetery #3
A Tour of St. Louis Cemetery #2
View a past tour of St. Louis Cemetery #2.
Sally Asher on Louisiana Eats!
The fabulous Poppy Tooker interviewed me at Greenwood Cemetery and Lakelawn Cemetery.