St Louis Cemetery #2, New Orleans, LA

When my wife and I were in New Orleans last week, one of the sites we visited was the St Louis Cemetery #2 just outside of the French Quarter. Enormous in size and visible from the elevated interstate highway, it was quite an impressive sight to see. The fact the the city is below sea level means that cemeteries are above the ground utilizing vaults, mausoleums and other types of storage.

The sheer age of the cemetery and the effects of flooding from Hurricane Katrina have taken quite a toll on many of the burial vaults.

St Louis Cemetery New Orleans
The edges of the cemetery are line with these walls holding hundreds of remains. Larry Shapiro photo

Stopping to read some of the markers and inscriptions unearthed (slight pun intended) some interesting historical footnotes.

historic marker in the St Louis Cemetery New Orleans
This plaque gives the history of an emancipated slave named Jordan Noble who served in the army almost 10 years beginning at age 14 as a drummer, “the only person of color in the United States 7th Regiment.” Larry Shapiro photo
old grave marker in the St Louis Cemetery New Orleans
Oscar James Dunn, 1826-1871 was a Governor of Louisiana and a Grand Master Prince Hall of the Louisiana Masons. Larry Shapiro photo
St Louis Cemetery New Orleans
It’s hard to determine for sure, but this burial vault houses the remains of at least a dozen people. Larry Shapiro photo
St Louis Cemetery New Orleans
Here’s one example of a family plot … Larry Shapiro photo
St Louis Cemetery New Orleans
Looking at a section that would appear to represent families with substantial wealth. Larry Shapiro photo

I ran the previous image through a few filters (NIK Color Efex Pro) to enhance the rich textures that are present throughout the photo.

St Louis Cemetery New Orleans
Increasing the texture, contrast, and vibrance enhanced the overall dramatic feel of this image. Larry Shapiro photo