New Orleans’ Casket Girls : A Chilling Legend Rooted in Colonial History
Uncovering the Vampire Lore of New Orleans’ Mysterious Casket Girls
New Orleans’ French Quarter is a place of vibrant culture, historic charm, and chilling legends. Among the most haunting tales is the story of the Casket Girls of New Orleans, young women from France who arrived in the early 18th century with small, coffin-like trunks and left behind a legend steeped in vampire folklore, colonial history, and local mystery.
Who Were the Casket Girls?
Among New Orleans’ countless ghost stories and urban legends, the tale of the “Filles à la Cassette,” or Casket Girls, stands out. These women, mostly orphans from France, were sent to Louisiana in the early 1700s to help populate the struggling French colony.
Each arrived with a trunk, or cassette, which resembled a small coffin. This unusual luggage gave rise to rumors and speculation that would evolve into one of New Orleans’ most famous vampire legends.
Historical Context
To strengthen the French presence in Louisiana, the French government sponsored young women to immigrate to New Orleans to marry male settlers. Until they were wed, these women were housed at the Old Ursuline Convent, a structure that still stands today on Chartres Street in the French Quarter.
The Vampire Legend Unfolds
Local lore tells of how these women arrived pale and otherworldly, their trunks curiously heavy. After a series of unexplained deaths in the city, the nuns of the Ursuline Convent became suspicious. Upon inspecting the attic where the girls’ trunks were stored, they reportedly found the chests eerily empty.
To protect the city, the nuns sealed the attic using nails blessed by the Pope himself. Some say these actions were taken to trap a dark force, perhaps vampires, that had arrived with the Casket Girls.
Two Main Theories
There are two popular versions of the legend:
-
The Casket Girls were vampires themselves, sent unknowingly or intentionally from France.
-
They had vampires hidden inside their trunks, smuggling the undead into New Orleans.
Both versions fueled centuries of gothic horror and paranormal intrigue in the city.
Separating Fact from Folklore
While the Casket Girls did exist and were a real part of New Orleans’ colonial past, the more supernatural elements of the story are likely just that: folklore. The trunks they carried were probably small and practical, not large enough to contain a person.
There is no verified historical evidence that connects these women to vampires. However, the story has taken on a life of its own, becoming a staple of New Orleans vampire tours, books, and local storytelling traditions.
Visiting the Sites: Where to Explore the Legend
If you’re visiting New Orleans and want to trace the footsteps of the Casket Girls, here are some must-see locations:
1. Old Ursuline Convent Museum
This is the most direct connection to the legend. The attic with the shuttered windows is still visible. Tours are available, offering a deep dive into both the history and haunting lore of the building.
2. Ghost and Vampire Tours
Many French Quarter walking tours highlight the story of the Casket Girls, combining historical facts with spine-tingling storytelling. These tours are a great way to explore the haunted side of New Orleans.
Note: When exploring these historic sites, remember that many are residential or sacred. Always treat them—and their stories—with respect and dignity.
Why the Casket Girl Legend Endures
The story of the Casket Girls taps into our fascination with the paranormal, the unknown, and the blending of history with myth. So, whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, this tale remains a compelling piece of New Orleans’ dark folklore and continues to captivate locals and visitors alike.
