(Back to Louisiana Haunted Index)
Le Pavilion Hotel –
HauntedHouses.com
Haunted Place: Le Pavilion Hotel
ADDRESS:
833 Poydras
Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
Web Site (Warning: music plays automatically when web page opens and cannot be disabled)
LOCATION:
The glorious Le Pavilion Hotel can be found
on a main city artery, on Poydras
Street, and the corner of Carroll Street, 2 blocks west of St.
Charles Avenue, about five blocks away from the French Quarter.
DESCRIPTION:
A member of Historic Hotels of America, Le
Pavilion Hotel truly has earned the nickname,"The Belle of New
Orleans." This grand palace integrates old world beauty and decor
with modern day amenities."
Crystal chandeliers from Czechoslovakia,
marble floors from several locations around Europe, marble
railings, imported from France, that once graced the lobby of the Parisian Grand Hotel.
Spectacular Italian columns and statues were bought to grace the
exterior, and fine art and antiques from the world were added to
the decor, much to the pleasure of its guests. All the modern
conveniences expected in a 4 star hotel can be found here.
HISTORY:
The land upon which this hotel now stands
on was part of the original land grant given to the Jesuits by the
founder of the New Orleans Colony. When the Jesuits were
expelled from New Orleans at some point, the land became part of a
huge sugar cane and indigo plantation, owned by Jean Gravier.
After some years, Jean Gravier< suffered a financial fall, and the land
returned to its swamp-like beginnings.
Around the turn of the 18th century, this land was in a very bad part of
the outskirts of town, where crime and murder were a way of life.
Poydras Street was a stinky, stagnant
canal.
The New Orleans Carrollton railroad came to its rescue, and
reclaimed the land in 1830., filling it in so it could be used for more wholesome endeavors. The
main depot was built on the spot where Le Pavilion Hotel now
stands.
In the early 19th century, the railroad lost interest, and
the depot was remodeled to accommodate various forms of
entertainment, like circuses, traveling shows and other acts. By
1867, it was time to tear it down, and a German Theatre (Werlein Hall), owned by Mr. Philip
Werlein, who founded the famous music
store. After a long legal battle with
the city, who was trying to take over this property, Welein Hall
finally burned down in a suspicious
fire.
From 1889 - 1907, a magnificent hotel, described as a palace with
luxurious accommodations, was constructed, called New Hotel
Denechaud, a high class hotel,
offering continental splendor.
This well built building survived good times
and bad times, offering a respite from the troubles of the
world.
By 1970, New Hotel Denechaud was ready for a restoration effort,
when the hotel passed into new ownership. the new owners did a
great job of mingling old world charm with the addition of modern
conveniences. The owners changed the name to Le Pavilion
Hotel.
HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS:
Because of the number of entities found in this building, many different reasons exist to explain their presence:
The land upon which the hotel sits had a
rather wild and dramatic past, which probably resulted in deaths.
Entities who died near a building have sometimes decided to haunt
it. (The Menger Hotel *
Kolb Ridge Court
* Rivoli Theatre)
There were two other buildings that
stood on this spot, and entities from those may have stuck around
to enjoy the hotel. Theatres
can have their spirit patrons;(Rialto Theatre * Music Hall), and railroads as well can be haunted
(Rio Grand Railroad Depot * Union Station)
Many people have enjoyed their stay in this
hotel, and some of them may have decided to spend their afterlife
here as well! (The Baker Hotel * The Roosevelt Hotel)
Some Entities may be attached to some of
the antiques and art work which can be found in this hotel.
(Brumder
Mansion * That
Steak Joynt)
MANIFESTATIONS:
After investigations by various paranormal
groups were conducted, Le Pavilion has earned the reputation of
being one of the most haunted hotels in New Orleans.
Strange noises in the night are a sure clue
that spirit people are unseen guests.
Apparitions of entities get their chuckles
by standing at the foot of some of the beds, and watch the living
sleep, and wake up with a start!
After 12 midnight in the early morning
hours, other entities like to playfully tease the living by tugging
bed sheets into the air, making it a little drafty for some of the
guests.
A favorite game of the entities is to
borrow an item from the staff or a guest, and find the perfect
place to return it, though the living may not agree in the odd
place picked.
Case of mistaken identity - One guest must
of looked a lot like an elderly female entity's long lost love of
her life. He awoke to find this elderly entity sitting on his
bed, who was stroking his head with her ice-cold hands, pledging
verbally to never let him go, as he belonged to her! Needless to
say, he didn't agree and made a hasty retreat!
Psychic Research:
At the invitation of the owners of Le
Pavilion Hotel, well-known and experienced paranormal
investigation groups have examined the Le Pavilion Hotel with
concrete results.
The entities who stay here stepped up to
the plate and cooperated with investigators.
Paranormal Investigation Group A came in
contact with four intelligent entities, and recorded EVPs saying, "Please, get out," and "Hold On,
I see You Now."
Paranormal Investigation Group B hit the
jack pot and got documentation on over 100 entities and various
"haunted hot-spots" in their investigation.
Paranormal Investigation Group
C came to the conclusion that Le Pavilion Hotel is actually a
portal to the other side.
STILL HAUNTED?
Yes indeed, in a big
way!
The spirits are friendly and
playful, with perhaps a few in need of a councilor to help them
with their issues.
SOURCES include:
Top 10 Haunted Hotels page on thespiritseekers.org * Top 10 Haunted Hotels page on hauntedamericatours.com
|
