What happens when you take a 100-year-old historic jail and transform it into a haunted house? Venture over to DeRidder and find out. History and mystery combine at one of Louisiana’s most unique haunted house, where you can visit the Gothic Jail After Dark and go through a haunted house within the walls of a once functional jail. Just keep your eyes peeled, because the jail has a history of paranormal encounters.
Built in 1914, this Gothic Revival-style certainly stands out as you pass through the charming downtown area of DeRidder.
googlemaps.com Built to hold roughly 50 prisoners, the jail made history when it was erected because there was a toilet, shower, lavatory, and window in each cell. In a time where most people still used outhouses, this was quite the rarity.
It wasn’t all luxury, though.
Marlena Dougharty/Google The jail only had nine cells that would fit upwards of 10 people in each cell.
The jail was closed in 1982 and was abandoned for quite some time.
Gothic “Hanging Jail”/Facebook It was registered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 for its unique architectural style and historic significance.
For the month of October, the historic jail turns into a haunted house only for the bravest of the brave.
Sara Neave/Google Hosted by the Beauregard Tourist Commission Office, Gothic Jail After Dark returns for its second year of spooky fun.
You’ll get to experience the haunting and historic jail up close and personal, as you wander from cell to cell.
Marlena Dougharty/Google But beware, you never know what might be lurking around the corner. Is a paid actor about to jump out, or something else?
Often referred to as the “Old Hanging Jail,” the jail has been investigated by several paranormal teams throughout the years.
Gothic Jail After Dark/Facebook In the late 1920s, two prisoners were hanged from the spiral staircase after being found guilty of the murder of a local taxi driver.
Even though it was the only hanging to take place in the jail, the nickname “the Hanging Jail” quickly stuck and still stands today, almost a century later.
Joe Eisenhauer/Google Many believe that even after death, some of the prisoners still remain within these walls.
Gothic Jail After Dark is open every weekend in October.
Gothic “Hanging Jail”/Facebook October 13 & 14th: 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
October 20 & 21st: 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
October 27 & 28th: 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Halloween Night: 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
For more information, be sure to check them out on Facebook.
googlemaps.com
Built to hold roughly 50 prisoners, the jail made history when it was erected because there was a toilet, shower, lavatory, and window in each cell. In a time where most people still used outhouses, this was quite the rarity.
Marlena Dougharty/Google
The jail only had nine cells that would fit upwards of 10 people in each cell.
Gothic “Hanging Jail”/Facebook
It was registered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 for its unique architectural style and historic significance.
Sara Neave/Google
Hosted by the Beauregard Tourist Commission Office, Gothic Jail After Dark returns for its second year of spooky fun.
But beware, you never know what might be lurking around the corner. Is a paid actor about to jump out, or something else?
Gothic Jail After Dark/Facebook
In the late 1920s, two prisoners were hanged from the spiral staircase after being found guilty of the murder of a local taxi driver.
Joe Eisenhauer/Google
Many believe that even after death, some of the prisoners still remain within these walls.
October 13 & 14th: 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
October 20 & 21st: 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
October 27 & 28th: 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Halloween Night: 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Have you ever visited the Gothic Jail? Let us know in the comments below!
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Address: Gothic Jail, 205 W 1st St, DeRidder, LA 70634, USA
