Nine times out of ten, when you come across a building that stands out from the rest, there’s a story behind it. In Louisiana, that story may contain a ghost or two. That’s certainly the case with this one building in DeRidder, which is among the most unique architectural structures in the area with a ghostly past.
When it comes to jails, few are as visually stunning as the Gothic Jail in DeRidder.
Joe Eisenhauer/Google
Built in 1914, the jail contains three floors and was built to house over 50 prisoners.
Malcom Pete/Google The bottom floor was the Jailer’s quarters, where he lived full time. The second and third floors each contain four cells which open on to the eye-catching spiral staircase that runs through the center of the building.
For 1914, the construction of this jail was ahead of its time.
Marlena Dougharty/Google Each cell features a separate bathroom and skylights, amenities that were unheard of for the time. In 1914, most homes still used outhouses, so it was extraordinary unique that a business would have plumbing at this time. My how far we’ve come!
The jail may have gained its moniker from its architectural style, but it earned its nickname, The Hanging Jail, in a much more disturbing way.
Fred Duplechin/Google
In 1928, J.J. Brevelle was a taxi driver who was murdered for his fares.
Klayres5/Trip Advisor Joe Genna and Molton Brasseaux were found guilty of the murder and were hanged by the Sheriff right inside the jail, for the other prisoners to see.
It was the only hanging to be carried out within these walls, but it was enough to earn the jail a lasting nickname.
Malcom Pete/Google It’s believed that the ghosts of the two men that were hanged are still lurking around the cells, and it’s not uncommon to smell pipe tobacco and feeling as though you are being watched when you visit.
The jail is no longer in use and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
Gothic Jail/Google Daily tours are offered, and during Halloween there are often themed-events that take place at the jail, including a haunted house and ghost tours.
Tours are offered Monday – Friday at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 3 p.m. Check-in for tours across the street from the jail at the Beauregard Tourism Office. Have you ever taken a tour of the Gothic Jail? Let us know in the comments below.
Joe Eisenhauer/Google
Malcom Pete/Google
The bottom floor was the Jailer’s quarters, where he lived full time. The second and third floors each contain four cells which open on to the eye-catching spiral staircase that runs through the center of the building.
Marlena Dougharty/Google
Each cell features a separate bathroom and skylights, amenities that were unheard of for the time. In 1914, most homes still used outhouses, so it was extraordinary unique that a business would have plumbing at this time. My how far we’ve come!
Fred Duplechin/Google
Klayres5/Trip Advisor
Joe Genna and Molton Brasseaux were found guilty of the murder and were hanged by the Sheriff right inside the jail, for the other prisoners to see.
It’s believed that the ghosts of the two men that were hanged are still lurking around the cells, and it’s not uncommon to smell pipe tobacco and feeling as though you are being watched when you visit.
Gothic Jail/Google
Daily tours are offered, and during Halloween there are often themed-events that take place at the jail, including a haunted house and ghost tours.
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Address: Gothic Jail, 205 W 1st St, DeRidder, LA 70634, USA
