Perched on bluffs high above the Mississippi River, the Natchez City Cemetery offers more than breathtaking views and serene surroundings—it harbors an extraordinary past filled with Southern charm, old-world elegance, and a touch of eeriness. For paranormal investigators, history buffs, and curious travelers alike, this beautiful yet mysterious cemetery in Natchez, Mississippi, is an unforgettable experience. Steeped in nearly two centuries of stories—some inspirational, others tragic—this cemetery invites guests to walk among the legends who put Natchez on the map, and perhaps even encounter a spirit or two along the way.
From tragic tales of mistreated children to classic Southern ghost stories whispered through Spanish moss, the Natchez City Cemetery is not just a resting place—it’s a journey into the heart of the Deep South’s haunted history.
The History
Establishment of the Natchez City Cemetery
Founded in 1822, the Natchez City Cemetery is one of Mississippi’s oldest and most historically significant cemeteries. Created to move burials from the older, flood-prone graveyard along the Mississippi River banks, the new cemetery was deliberately placed on the elevated Natchez Bluff. With sweeping views of the river, the cemetery became both a place of rest and reflection—and even a site for picnics during the Victorian era.
The cemetery spans over 100 acres and serves as the final resting place for many notable figures, from influential city founders and Confederate soldiers to business tycoons, socialites, and ordinary citizens whose extraordinary tales still echo through the moss-draped trees today.
The Stories Behind the Stones
What makes Natchez City Cemetery truly captivating are the stories engraved on its weathered tombstones. Wander through its meandering paths and you’ll uncover tales of love, loss, war, scandal, and legend.
- Louise “Lou” Leake – The tragic story of this young woman is among the cemetery’s most memorable. According to legend, she died of a broken heart, forever remembered for her beauty and untimely demise. Her statue now stands with hands clutched to her chest, as if still grieving her lost love.
- The Girl in the Glass Coffin – One of the cemetery’s most fascinating tales is that of Florence Irene Marschalk. Upon her death in 1871, her mother insisted she be buried in a glass-sealed cast iron coffin so she could “look upon her forever.” This macabre display drew visitors for years, though the viewing portal has since been sealed.
- William Johnson, the “Barber of Natchez” – A freedman and prominent African American in 19th-century Mississippi, Johnson’s meticulously recorded diaries give insight into life as a free Black man in the antebellum South. He was buried here in 1851, after being tragically murdered—his killer never convicted due to racial laws that disqualified key witnesses.
The Turning Angel
Perhaps no monument in the Natchez City Cemetery is more famous—or more unnerving—than the Turning Angel. This serene statue marks the graves of five girls who perished in a tragic drugstore explosion in 1908. Commissioned by the store’s owner, it is said the angel watches over the graves with a sorrowful gaze… and at night, local legends say it turns its head to follow passerby with its eyes. Whether it’s a trick of the moonlight or something more supernatural, is for visitors to decide.
The Haunt
A Cemetery Steeped in Spiritual Energy
If you’re a seasoned paranormal investigator—or even a curious amateur—you’ll find that Natchez City Cemetery is more than historic. It’s alive with spiritual energy. With untold stories remaining etched in every granite tomb and iron gate, this cemetery is a known hotbed of unexplained phenomena.
Ghost Sightings and Unexplained Activity
The Turning Angel is just the tip of the supernatural iceberg. Over the years, multiple visitors and paranormal researchers have reported unexplained activity throughout the cemetery grounds:
- Shadow figures moving between gravestones—seen most often in the early morning fog or just at dusk.
- Disembodied laughter and footsteps near the children’s section of the cemetery, with no one in sight.
- Sudden cold spots near particular graves, especially around the plots dating back to the antebellum period.
- EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) recordings capturing whispers and even full phrases like “I can’t find them” and “Please leave me be.”
The Story of Louise the Ghost
Locals speak in hushed tones about Louise Leake, the young woman whose heartbreak may have tethered her soul to this world. Several nighttime visitors have claimed to see a woman in a flowing white dress—Louise, perhaps—wandering her burial site near dusk, softly weeping. Paranormal teams have attempted to communicate with her, receiving eerie electromagnetic spikes and faint audio responses in return.
Documented Investigations
Over the years, the cemetery has attracted the attention of paranormal societies and ghost-hunting groups across the nation. Most notably, the Mid-South Paranormal Society conducted a formal overnight investigation in 2019 and captured what appeared to be a translucent figure passing in front of a mausoleum on thermal camera footage. Likewise, local haunted tour operators have gathered EVP recordings, particularly near the “Glass Coffin Girl” site.
Psychic Impressions and Spiritual Vortexes
Some psychics who’ve walked the grounds suggest that Natchez City Cemetery is actually a spiritual vortex—a place where the energies of life and death intertwine more actively than usual. One medium described the cemetery as “a library of souls,” and claimed that spirits there were more open to communication than in most haunted sites.
Whether you’re dealing with residual hauntings—energy repeating like a loop—or intelligent spirits capable of direct interaction, the consensus is clear: when the sun sets in Natchez City Cemetery, the veil between worlds becomes noticeably thinner.
Conclusion: A Haunted Invitation You Can’t Refuse
If you’re looking to explore a location where history and the paranormal walk hand-in-hand, few places match the enigmatic allure of the Natchez City Cemetery. With its rich tapestry of antebellum history, beautifully preserved monuments, and spine-chilling tales of lingering spirits, this hauntingly beautiful cemetery deserves a place on every paranormal investigator’s travel list.
Bring your cameras, EVP recorders, and an open mind. Whether you hope to pay homage to historical figures, walk through Southern Gothic scenery, or conduct a full-fledged ghost investigation, Natchez City Cemetery offers it all. Travel back in time and maybe—just maybe—have a brush with the beyond.
And remember: when you stand before the Turning Angel at midnight… she might be looking right back at you.