Situated within a National Historic Landmark of New Orleans, a private home turned restaurant known as Muriel’s Jackson Square holds an important type of history that the city is known for; haunted history. The doors of this restaurant opened in March of 2001 after a long period of restoration that brought the property back to its former glory of the mid-1800s. The whole idea behind the restoration was to bring back what was once a tasteful home, standing in the center of the French Quarter.
Early History and Ownership
The property started with humble beginnings. Claude Trepagnier, who was rewarded with the property after playing a significant role in founding New Orleans in 1718, built a modest cottage near what would become Jackson Square. By 1745, Jean Baptiste Destrehan, the Royal Treasurer of French Louisiana, acquired the property, replacing the cottage with an elaborate mansion. After Destrehan died in 1765, the house changed hands multiple times. Pierre Phillipe de Marigny purchased it in 1776, using it as a city residence. Unfortunately, the mansion partially burned during the Great New Orleans Fire of 1788, which devastated the French Quarter.
A Tragic Ending
In the post-fire rebuilding era, Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan bought and restored the property, creating his dream home for his family and himself. However devoted he was to his home, Jourdan’s gambling habit led him to wager the house in 1814. Tragically, he lost the bet and was asked to leave the property and hand it over. Unable to bear the loss, he committed suicide on the second floor of the property. Jourdan undoubtedly wanted to remain with his home forever, as his spirit still exists within the walls of the property that is now Muriel’s. Both patrons and employees have reported seeing objects move on their own, attributing this activity to Jourdan’s restless spirit, which remains attached to his cherished home.
Modern-Day Paranormal Activity
The restaurant has been named one of New Orleans’ most haunted sites by The International Society of Paranormal Research. Other properties with this title include The LaLaurie Mansion and the Hermann-Grima House. Today, Muriel’s Jackson Square embraces its haunted history, especially the presence of Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan. The area with the most activity is now known as the Seance Lounge, which sits on the second floor, where Jourdan took his life. There are reports of strange shadows, unexplained voices, and distinct knocks on the walls. Though Jourdan is believed to be the chief resident spirit, he may not be the only one. The owners and staff of Muriel’s speculate that some of the paranormal activity could be coming from servants of Jourdan who are still attending to him in the afterlife or other deceased patrons and owners of the property. No matter who the spirits may be, Muriel’s welcomes them. You can find an empty table set with bread and wine, symbolizing the restaurant’s acceptance of its ghostly residents.
