See The Spooky Gothic Jail in DeRidder
This Louisiana jail has quite the storied past.
History of the Gothic Jail
The Gothic Jail was built in 1915 in DeRidder, Louisiana. From its construction onward, it was designed as both a penitentiary and an architectural statement. Over time, it served as the parish jail until it was decommissioned in 1984.
Why Gothic?
The jail is named for its “Collegiate Gothic” style, a somewhat unusual choice for a detention facility. Characteristic Gothic elements, like pointed arches, bay windows and a castle-esque appearance lend the building a dramatic, ecclesiastical silhouette. At the time, Gothic vocabulary was popular in educational institutions, so it is possible the architects intended to imbue the jail with a level of sophistication.
Layout & Connection to the Courthouse
Inside, the jail spans three floors. The ground floor originally housed the jailer’s living quarters, his office and a temporary holding cell. The second and third floors each contain four cells, all arranged around a central spiral staircase.
One striking design feature: each cell had its own bathroom, and the top floor included skylights — amenities rare for jails of any era. A long, dim tunnel connected the jail with the adjacent courthouse, ensuring inmates could be privately escorted to trial.
Staircase in DeRidder's Gothic Jail
Entrance to Gothic Jail
The Jail’s Paranormal Reputation
Haunting Reputation & Local Lore
The DeRidder Gothic Jail has earned a reputation as one of Louisiana’s most haunted sites. Local legend holds that the ghost of a former jailer sometimes appears on the front porch clad in overalls, smoking a pipe and sipping coffee. Other whispers speak of unexplained footsteps, slamming doors, cold spots and disembodied voices echoing through the cells.
The 1920s Hangings
The jail’s darker chapter is tied to two men who were hanged in the late 1920s. The men were convicted for the murder of a taxi driver, and their execution marked the jail’s grim nickname, “The Hanging Jail.” This event intensified public fear and lore around the building, and over the decades, it has become a focal point for ghost stories and paranormal investigators.
Visiting the Gothic Jail
Daytime Tours: What to Expect
Outside of the Halloween season, the jail offers day tours to the public, which are typically available Monday through Friday. Weekend tours are possible for groups of 10 or more by appointment.
Admission pricing:
- Adults: $10
- Kids, military and seniors: $5
- Ages 5 and under: Free
Note that day tours are suspended on Labor Day as the facility transitions prepares for haunted house tours in September and October.
Gothic Jail After Dark: Haunted-House Experience
When fall arrives, the jail transforms into Gothic Jail After Dark — a seasonal attraction that combines history and ghost stories.
Looking for more spooky things to do in Louisiana? Check out these haunted hotels
