Find-A-Grave: Josie Arlington

Josie Arlington

Resting Place: Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans

Plot: Section 13

Born: 1864

Died: February 14, 1914 (aged 49–50)

Josie Arlington, born Mary Deubler, was a prominent New Orleans madam who rose to fame during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She operated one of the most lavish and exclusive brothels in the city's Storyville district, a legal red-light district known for its opulent establishments and vibrant nightlife. Arlington's brothel was renowned for its luxury, featuring fine furnishings, art, and a well-dressed staff, catering to the city's elite.

Arlington was known for her business acumen and for maintaining strict standards in her establishment, which she marketed as a place of refinement and discretion. Despite her success, she faced societal judgment and the challenges of managing a controversial profession. Arlington retired from the business in 1909 and lived in relative obscurity until her death in 1914.

Her burial became the subject of local lore due to the striking tomb she commissioned in New Orleans' Metairie Cemetery, featuring a life-sized statue of a young woman knocking on a door. The tomb's dramatic design and her connection to Storyville sparked rumors and legends that continue to surround her legacy.

The crypt of Josie Arlington was once believed to be haunted; it was rumored that the statue of the woman in front of the tomb would come to life and walk the cemetery grounds at night. It was later discovered that a street light reflecting off the tomb gave it a reddish glow, lending credence to the rumors of the haunting. Josie Arlington's body was later moved to an unknown location within the same cemetery.

Josie Arlington remains a fascinating figure in the history of New Orleans, symbolizing both the glamour and complexity of life in the city’s fabled red-light district.

Watch the YouTube video from WWLTV's spotlight on Josie Arlington and the controversy surrounding her burial removal and the mystery of her remains.