Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 New Orleans
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, 1420 Washington Avenue, established in 1833 by the City of Lafayette. The square was acquired from Cornelius Hurst and the cemetery laid out by Benjamin Buisson, city surveyor. Part of the Livaudais Plantation which had been subdivided into city squares in 1832. The cemetery contains many fine and historic tombs, among them those of Samuel Jarvis Peters, father of the New Orleans public school system, and General Harry T. Hays, distinguished confederate general. At Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 are buried many persons of German and Irish origin who lived in the City of Lafayette. The typical New Orleans burial vaults adjoining Washington Avenue were restored and magnolia trees on the cross aisle replanted by the City of New Orleans when Victor H. Schiro was mayor.
The cemetery has been active since 1833 and still has burials occurring. There are about 1,000 tombs and an estimated 7,000 people buried in Lafayette #1. It is a city block in size. The cemetery is also not racially or religiously segregated and contains over 26 nationalities.
Notable tombs include the Jefferson Fire Co. #22’s society tomb with an ornate fire pump adhered, an Odd Fellows tomb, and the metal tomb that inspired the author Anne Rice when writing the novel Interview with a Vampire. The Open Koneig’s tomb is a favorite for people to peek inside and see the inner workings of a tomb.
Lafayette #1 is also the most filmed cemetery in New Orleans. Most recently scenes from The Originals on the CW Network, and NCIS: New Orleans have been filmed inside. Tour participants have spotted Mark Ruffalo, Ryan Reynolds, and Samuel L. Jackson inside. In addition, the movie Double Jeopardy was filmed inside (see video below). Not to forget, tour guide Sarah’s favorite is the music video Right Stuff by the New Kids on the Block.
The cemetery was dedicated to Theodore Von LaHache in 1823, a musician who founded the New Orleans Philharmonic Society. The dedication hangs below the front gate entrance on Washington Avenue. Lafayette Cemetery #1 is now a tourist destination for visitors who want to experience New Orleans’ “Cities of the Dead.”
What to Photograph
A non-denominational, non-segregated cemetery from 1833 with about 1000 above ground tombs.
Where it is:
Location: The cemetery is located at 1416-1498 Washington Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana. The entrance to the cemetery is located on Washington Street near the Commander’s Palace restaurant.
The Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is located in the Garden District of New Orleans about a 15 minute drive from the French Quarter. There are two entrances one on Washington Ave. and one on 6th Street. It is an easy walk from the streetcar or the #11 Magazine Street bus on Washington Avenue to the bordering streets of Coliseum and Prytania.
Maps:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.
Cost:
There is no cost to enter the cemetery, however there are many tours available at a cost.
Hours:
It’s open seven days a week from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, although it’s closed on most major holidays.
Facilities:
There are no facilities in the cemetery
Location Contact Information:
Address: 1416-1498 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130
Phone: (504) 658-3781
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 New Orleans Photo Gallery
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More Photographic Destinations in Louisiana:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.
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Great Places for Great Photos
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Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country. Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos.
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