Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana

by Cheré Dastugue Coen

Join longtime journalist and ghost seeker Cheré Dastugue Coen as she visits Lafayette's haunted sites and travels the countryside in search of ghostly legends found only in South Louisiana. Ghost stories abound in the Cajun and Creole city of Lafayette, Louisiana. The Hub City boasts a multitude of spirits and specters, from those lost in Civil War skirmishes and fever outbreaks to those souls that simply can't say goodbye. Today, they wander the halls of bed-and-breakfasts and restaurants and linger along back roads and cemeteries. Pirates are rumored to guard buried treasure, and ancient French legends hide in the swamps, bayous and woods.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

128 pages, Paperback

First published August 20, 2013

Reviews

[Ellen Byron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. I can't wait to visit Lafayette now!

[Shane Cormier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book on an end cap at Barnes and Nobles here in Lafayette Louisiana. First thing I noticed was Autographed Copy. I didnt even notice the book. I was just surprised that there were autographed copy books sitting on the shelves at Barnes and Nobles here in Lafayette. Then when i went to look at the title I knew I had to have it. I really loved reading this book and its awesome to know about places in , not just Lafayette, but the Acadiana area that are haunted. Only place I had ever heard about was T'Frere's Bed and Breakfast. Ive always wanted to stay there and check it out. My dad would always tell me that haunted places were a hoax just like how Houdini ousted all those "mediums" for being hoaxes. But I want to believe. Ive never witnessed a haunting myself but in a dream once, not long after my grandmother died, I had this dream I was at Albertsons on Johnston and I was parked by this tree near where CiCis pizza used to be. As Im putting away my groceries I see this woman standing near the tree. She was more like a shadow figure though. She asked me if I believe in God. I said well I believe there is a force bigger than us like energy and I believe that pure energy is God and that the ether between the spaces is where all knowledge and energy is stored. She said look deeper into your heart son. Then I wok Me up mildly sweating. They say men dont dream in color but that dream was very colorful. I also chose my daughters name in 1995, Lillian Marie after my grandmother, dads mom, same woman from the dream. She died in 1998. Well later that year the Smashing Pumpkins album MCIS came out and there was this beautiful song called Lily on there. So I decided to change it to Lily Ann-Marie. Before that though I gave this friend of mines little brothers girlfriend a ride home. I was 19 and he was 17 so I figured she was like 16 or 17. I didnt say anything to her but she was hot and I remember thinking wow I wouldnt mind having her as a girlfriend. Well in 2000 I meet this girl. We end up taking a 5 month trip to California living in my van in Sacramento most of the time taking 3 weeks to get there and 3 weeks to get back. During that trip I find out she was that girl. We end up having a daughter who was born Oct 6 2001. My grandmothers birthday was October 5 1909. There is actually more coincidences in that story but thats the just of it. It makes you wonder if there is fate or do you actually have free will, or if there is fate and free will? Who knows. All I know is that I predicted having a daughter and ended up choosing to name her after my grandmother and she was born the day after my grandmothers birthday. Just a bit too coincidence to be just coincidence. I love hearing stories like that. I mean we all have those moments where we are thinking of someone then they call us out of the blue or we run into them out of the blue. But to have wished to date a girl you met only once, to tell your girlfriend at the time that if you have a daughter she will be named a certain name. Then several years later you have a daughter with the girl you wished to date and your daughter almost has the same birthday as the woman you chose to name her after 6 years before she was born. Or am I just making a big deal out of nothing lol. Either way I wouldnt change it for the world. Ok I know all that was off subject but it started off as sharing a ghost story lol. Either way I LOVE this book and have it displayed very nicely with my other autographed books but on the front row not the back row. Awesome book. Next time I go to Crowley to pick up my buddy to come visit for a few days, Im going check out these Haunted Places. JFK Spoke there once. There is an Historical Marker there remembering that speech. Out of all the places around here , he chose Crowley Louisiana to speak at. its a small town now, I bet it was SUPER small back then.

[Carla Hostetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just enjoy books like this. Often they lead to inspirations for other stories. While some of the tales are old urban legends like the Hookman or traditional boogey man scares such as the Tai Tai, I greatly appreciated the research Coen did delving into ancestry and old newspaper accounts to hazard a guess as to who might be haunting an old hotel or a family home. Actually, few of the tales take place in Lafayette, though the one that gave me the biggest creeps was of a haunted dorm at the local college. They range all over southwest Louisiana. Some I've heard before. Some are new to me. Perfect reading for any Halloween. You might even want to venture to some of these sites--but I wouldn't go alone.

[Michael Hoard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The History and Stories make it a Great Read!

I loved the history aspect of this book as much as the ghost stories, which I must admit caused a goose bump or two to form while reading it in my bunk on a construction barge offshore. I'll never drive by the Hilton on Pinhook Rd.again without hearing a civil war battle and I had to laugh out loud when, at one point, I read the story containing, "Mary, Mary, Mary," although I recall saying, "Mary Jane, Mary Jane, Mary Jane." In fact, if I recall correctly, when devil worshiping was big news in the '80's, 20/20 did a segment which included this bridge. I loved the book and thank you!!

[Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed my friend, Cheré Coen's book about spirits, paranormal activities, and history of the Acadiana region. Cheré has some chilling episodes that will keep you up late at night reading under the bed covers.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great guide for visitors to Acadiana

[Brandy Marler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book solely because I am writing a book, and the setting is a town outside of Lafayette, Louisiana. I wanted to have an understanding of some of the haunted location and stories that could be found in and around that area, so I would be able to accurately describe a certain haunting if I decided ever to use one as a focus to future books. This was a fun and spooky read, and definitely gave me some ideas lol.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will start off by stating that I am not a believer in ghost. Reading this book did not change my disbelief. What I got from the book was exactly what I expected which included interesting descriptions and discussions of some historical sites, old homes and people of the past related to the Lafayette area.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe not the best of books, which is fine. You aren’t grabbing a Haunted America books for great writing. A good chunk of the ghost stories were just “meh.” It did have some very interesting history about the state that I currently live in, though, & that I enjoyed.

[Mystereity Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up after seeing a friend's review, I love ghost stories and folklore and this one made for a great read. Well organized and entertaining, it highlighted the many ghost sightings and the Cajun and creole folklore that permeates the region.

[Cheri Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting!

Enjoyed this book very much! The combination of history and hauntings are 2 categories I enjoy the most. Well, next to cats. This book was informative and educational.

[Tracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a local to the area, I had to find out about the hot spots. Filled with fascniating historical facts and tidbits like Rose Wilder (Little House and the Prairie) live with her aunt Eliza Jane in Crowley, well that's the kind of thing that keeps me hooked. I now have a list of spots we can make a day trip to visit, not only because of the paranormal possiblities but also because of the historical value. I plan to tackle the Baton Rouge book as well. I throughly enjoyed reading this book.

[Rachael]

As a recent transplant I love finding out about my new locales. This book is wonderful in that already I'm learning so much about the history as well as finding fun new places to explore on my way to examine these sites listed.

[Letesa Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it!!!!! Always wanted to know what Haunted in Lafayette.

[Letesa Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the different stories!!!!!