The Casket Girls: A Tale of Mystery, Romance, and New Orleans Folklore
The story of “The Casket Girls” is one of the most intriguing and mysterious tales tied to the early history of New Orleans. This captivating legend weaves together elements of romance, adventure, and the supernatural, offering a glimpse into the lives of young French women who were sent to the New World during the early 18th century.
The Casket Girls, or “Les Filles à la Cassette,” were so named because of the small, coffin-like trunks, or cassettes, they carried, which held their belongings. Though historical records provide the foundation of their story, local folklore and myths have added layers of mystery, often linking the girls to vampire legends and other supernatural phenomena that continue to fascinate people today.
Origins: The Need for Women in the New World
The legend of the Casket Girls begins in France in the early 1700s, during the colonial expansion of the French Empire. New Orleans, founded in 1718, was a growing port city with a need for population expansion. At the time, the settlement was predominantly male, consisting of soldiers, trappers, and adventurers. To balance the gender ratio and encourage settlement, the French government, along with the Catholic Church, devised a plan to send young, unmarried women to the colony to become brides for the settlers.
These young women, many from orphanages and convents, were often described as having come from “good families” that had fallen on hard times. They were carefully selected by the Ursuline nuns, who sought to ensure that only virtuous, pious girls were chosen. This selection process was rigorous, as the girls were expected to become the mothers of the future citizens of the colony.
The Arrival in New Orleans
In 1728, the first group of Casket Girls arrived in New Orleans aboard ships that sailed from France. The sight of these pale-skinned, demure young women, dressed modestly and clutching their small cassettes, sparked the imagination of the local men. The cassettes were small chests, made of wood and covered in leather, large enough to hold only the bare essentials—clothing, a few personal items, and a prayer book.
The arrival of the Casket Girls was met with great anticipation but also skepticism. The settlers were excited by the prospect of new brides, yet rumors began to circulate almost immediately. Some claimed the girls were not as virtuous as advertised, while others whispered that they carried something far more sinister in their cassettes.
The girls were housed at the Ursuline Convent until suitable matches could be found, and it was here that the seeds of the vampire legend were sown. Stories claim that the caskets were stored on the third floor of the convent, and it was said that once the caskets were opened, they were empty. This, combined with the mysterious nature of the girls and their pale appearance, fueled wild tales that they were, in fact, vampires.
The Vampire Legend
The association of the Casket Girls with vampires is one of the most enduring aspects of their legend. According to local lore, the girls were not ordinary women but creatures of the night who had been sent to New Orleans under the guise of prospective brides. The sealed caskets they carried were believed to contain not just their possessions but also vampires or other dark forces.
It was rumored that after the caskets were stored in the Ursuline Convent, mysterious occurrences began to plague the area. Locals reported strange sightings, unexplained deaths, and whispers of supernatural activity. The third floor of the convent, where the caskets were kept, was allegedly sealed shut, with nails blessed by the Pope himself, to prevent the evil within from escaping. To this day, the shutters of the third-floor windows remain permanently closed and nailed shut, adding an eerie touch to the already gothic structure.
Some versions of the story claim that the caskets themselves were vampire coffins or containers for transporting evil spirits. As the years passed, these stories became part of New Orleans’ rich tapestry of supernatural lore, blending with other local legends and fueling the city’s reputation as a place of mystery and magic.
Separating Fact from Fiction
While the legend of the Casket Girls is thrilling, historical records paint a somewhat different picture. The girls were indeed sent to New Orleans as part of a colonization effort and were taken in by the Ursuline nuns to be protected and educated until they were married. The idea of the caskets being vampire coffins is almost certainly a product of the city’s folklore, fueled by its unique blend of cultures and the mysterious aura that surrounds its history.
The cassettes were simply small trunks, typical of what would be used by travelers of the time. As for the vampire connection, it is likely a case of imaginative storytelling that has grown over the centuries. The closed shutters on the third floor of the convent, for instance, are more likely a practical measure to protect against hurricanes than to keep something sinister at bay.
The Legacy of the Casket Girls
Today, the story of the Casket Girls continues to capture the imagination of locals and visitors alike. The Ursuline Convent still stands, and tours often include tales of the mysterious young women who once lived there. The Casket Girls have become a symbol of New Orleans’ unique blend of history and legend—a city where the lines between the past and the supernatural blur.
The legacy of the Casket Girls is a testament to how folklore can shape and enrich our understanding of history. While the true story of these women is one of courage, hardship, and resilience, the myths that have sprung up around them add an irresistible layer of intrigue. Whether viewed as innocent brides or enigmatic figures shrouded in mystery, the Casket Girls remain an enduring part of New Orleans’ storied past, forever linked to its gothic allure and the whispers of the unknown that echo through its streets.