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Legend of the Che at St. James Hotel
During the early 19th century, trade between New Orleans and the West Indies brought thousands of immigrants from the Caribbean, among them was a merchant named Che.
In 1833, the Banks Arcade was built to furnish American merchants with a place to trade. Che leased a shop on Magazine Street in the Banks Arcade and became notorious for having insider information on the French merchants.
One night in 1851, French merchants set fire to Che's store. After the flames were out, Che was never found. The news of his death led the highest voodoo priestesses to conduct rituals that would deliver his spirit home to the Caribbean, but this procession was abruptly interrupted.
Eight years after Che's disappearance, in 1859, the Banks Arcade was renovated and the original St. James Hotel was built. It was a fine hotel but the grandeur was short-lived.
From 1861 to 1865, during the Civil War, the hotel became a Union hospital. In their last moments, soldiers described visions of island heavens so beautiful that it seemed they were drawn into death willingly. It is believed that the passage Voodoo priests opened for Che's spirit remained open and became a port through which spirits of soldiers traveled into the next life.
Today the St. James Hotel is located only blocks from its original location - which is now the Board of Trade Plaza. Its British West Indies theme honors Che, so his legend can live on in the beauty of the island heavens. Book Online Now! or call 1-888-856-4485 for
Reservations & Information!
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