Beauregard Parish Hanging Jail.

Hanging Jail of Beauregard Parish

Although Gothic in style, the Beauregard Parish Jail opened in 1915, built out of newfangled concrete with solid walls a foot thick. No prisoner ever escaped from Beauregard Parish Jail , but two were hanged at the top of the its unique central spiral staircase in 1928, after being found guilty of murdering a taxi driver. The jail had only nine cells, each with its own bathroom, shower, and widow, but they were packed with up to 50 prisoners.

Inmates were still locked inside when the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It finally closed in 1984.

The local tourism commission opened the long-abandoned jail for tours in 2016, and its creepy, photo-friendly architecture has made it a popular overnight spot for ghost hunters.

Hanging Jail of Beauregard Parish

Address:: W. 1st St., DeRidder, LA
Directions:: Downtown. On the south side of US Hwy 190/W. 1st St. just east of its intersection with Hwy 27/S. Pine St. It's an ominous, Gothic-looking building just to the right of the lighter courthouse.
Hours:: Tours M-F 10-3 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:: 800-738-5534
Admission:: Adults $5.

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