Many cities have a “power center,” where major buildings have always been built, and significant historical events took place.

In New Orleans, that place is the Jackson Square area. From the haunted Cathedral and Presbytere, to Pirates Alley and the ghost of Jean Lafitte, to the eerie spirits at Le Petit Theatre, this two-block area has over a dozen documented hauntings.

This park was the site of an early prison and several executions. It was also home to an early New Orleans church, destroyed by fire.

The ghosts manifest as figures, floating lights, fragrances, and even the somber chanting of the “Kyrie” by the spirit of an 18th-century priest.

When we were in New Orleans in July 2005 (shortly before Hurricane Katrina), Jackson Square was a focal point of our ghost research, with very good results.

Below, you can see one of our best digital pictures.

The copy on the left is exactly as we took it, looking through the Jackson Square gates at Decatur Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter. On the right, we’ve adjusted the contrast to suggest the statue in the center of Jackson Square, and the haunted Cathedral behind it.

However, we knew that we’d get some great evidence of hauntings at this park. In addition to its many ghost stories, there is something especially odd about the Jackson Square gate where we took our photos:

Even with dozens of tourists passing, and the happy banter of tour guides looking for customers, you’ll feel surrounded by an eerie silence at Jackson Square. For all its beauty and popularity, Jackson Square seems too quiet.

If you visit New Orleans’ famous French Quarter, we highly recommend an evening visit to the Decatur Street side of Jackson Square.

Time your photos so that no smokers are nearby, of course, but if your photos are like ours, you’ll be very pleased with the results.