Real Haunted Houses

Real Haunted House

The Myrtles Plantation

St. Francisville, Louisiana
By Shannon Reinbold-Gee

A profound sense of longing and loss clings to the moss draped trees surrounding the Myrtles Plantation, thick as the heady azalea-laced air. Legends abound here and the Myrtles Plantation is one of the most recognized haunts in the South, known as “one of America’s most haunted homes.” A beautiful antebellum mansion founded in the late 1700s, the Myrtles Plantation of St. Francisville, Louisiana, has most recently been honored as one of the 150 best properties to stay at according to National Geographic Traveler’s April 2008 issue. But although the rooms are beautifully furnished and appointed, and the estate is rich in history, neither reason is why many visitors choose to spend a night in this dramatic setting.

The architecture and gentle landscaping of the Myrtles evoke a mood of old-fashioned comfort and relaxation; but there are things at the Myrtles that remain restless. Visitors have mentioned jewelry disappearing and waking to find themselves fully tucked into their beds. Strange noises on the staircase, furniture that moves, a grand piano that plays by itself, mysterious handprints on the mirrors, odd things appearing in photographs – There is no doubt that the Myrtles is haunted, but the debate rages even now as to who or what is doing the haunting.

Most of the stories regarding the Myrtles revolve around a string of unfortunate choices that brought disturbance and death. It begins with David Bradford who helped quell the Whiskey Rebellion, and bought the land with a special grant from the Spanish, building a humble eight-room main house. Unfortunately the land had previously been the burial ground for at least one Native American tribe and when his builders happened upon bones, Bradford supposedly ordered them burned.

Bradford’s daughter married Clark Woodruff, a main figure in the most popular tales about the Myrtles. According to popular lore, Woodruff married Sarah, but was quite the philanderer! Woodruff’s most damaging affair was with a household slave, Chloe. When his attentions turned to a new slave, Chloe began eavesdropping to figure out ways to prevent being sent out to harsh labor in the fields. Catching Chloe listening to a private conversation, Woodruff drew a sword and cut off one of her ears. As a result Chloe began wearing the turban that has become her ghost’s signature in photographs. Even more desperate than before to prove her worth as a household staff member, Chloe baked a birthday cake for one of Woodruff’s children. In the batter she included some oleander, thinking the amount would make them ill enough that she could show her value by nursing them back to health. Unfortunately she overestimated the amount she needed. Quickly Woodruff’s wife and children succumbed to the poison-laced birthday cake. Afraid they’d be found guilty of murder by association, Chloe’s fellow slaves lynched her. Rumor claims Chloe’s ghost still haunts the grounds and the eerie sounds of children playing where none can be seen suggests that the Woodruff children have remained as well.

As the property was passed through other owners, tragedies mounted. Children died young (a horribly common occurrence) and diseases like yellow fever ravaged families. William Winter was murdered on the front porch of the Myrtles following the Civil War, supposedly rallying long enough to drag himself inside and partway up the main staircase where he died in his wife’s arms. In 1886, the Myrtles passed out of the original family’s grip forever.

Although historical records do not support every story that has helped make the Myrtles Plantation so attractive to would-be ghost hunters, enough paranormal researchers and curious visitors have investigated and experienced creepy and unexplained things that it seems certain the plantation is haunted. Precisely who is haunting the grounds is up to speculation, and perhaps we will never know the full truth, but murder, tragic accident and deadly disease seem to be the causes of most of the ghostly activity at the Myrtles. Financial difficulties caused the plantation to change hands several more times before the present era. Beginning in the 1950s, people began to mention odd occurrences happening in the house.

Today the Myrtles Plantation is a welcoming respite from the hustle and bustle of modern living. Rooms and cottages are available for rent and public ghost tours run several times a day. The Myrtles Plantation has a connection to true tragedy that makes it worth a stay, whether you are a spirit or not!

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Brittney says:

September 24, 2005, 9:27 pm

I have been to The Myrtles Plantation a few times. Although I never saw or heard anything strange, there is a very “eerie” vibe you get from just being there. The story behind the house is so interesting and they even offer overnight stays! I would recommend visiting this house.

Ashton says:

October 4, 2005, 9:32 pm

I have been to the myrtles. I don’t think it is that haunted though. I have heard that there is a cat that haunts the grounds(before i went) and when i went there i saw it! Strange thing is I turned to say look to my friends and it was gone! i dont know!

Tarra from Toronto says:

October 24, 2005, 3:54 pm

I just saw this entire story on a documentary. Chloe’s main job was to care for the children. The woman that owns the plantation now has a small son who came very close to falling into a swampy area. When she went to fetch him it came to her that she would never have to worry because the children would always be protected.

Brooke Nobles says:

October 28, 2005, 1:55 pm

I’ve been to the Myrtle’s and I loved it! I was tucked so tightly in my sheets that I could hardly breathe! I recommend this for anyone who loves a great fright!

Pam says:

October 29, 2005, 10:11 pm

Have any of you ever watched the show Ghost Hunters? They sat up cameras, etc. at the Myrtles and quickly came to the conclusion that it is definately haunted. Check it out on their website.

Southern_sparrow says:

October 31, 2005, 6:08 pm

I lived in LA for most of my life as did my fiance. I have never seen a ghost but have been in many haunted houses. This one had no ghosts but the stories make it eerie. Contrary to what others say, however, there ARE VERY VERYVERY haunted places throughout LA. These are not placed on the internet or given tours of. They do exist though. My fiance lived in many of these places as did his family and the stories they tell or cannot bear themselves to tell will frighten you beyond tears. These places will remain whispered about and that’s all. That’s the charming thing about southern living. We don’t spread around or private business.

tara says:

October 31, 2005, 6:31 pm

I have been to the Myrtles Plantation and it is very creepy and fun to see at the same time. Together with my boyfriend took the tour of the house and very CREEPY as well.

BOB says:

November 9, 2005, 10:59 pm

When I was about 13 or so, my uncle, dad and I,went to the myrtles on a friday night ghost tour.My uncle was a park ranger at the time in natchez,miss. so we were down there visiting from tenn.. The myrtles was only an hour or so away and my uncle insisted on us going down to check it out. Previous to going to the myrtles I had never heard of it. The thing that happened besides the erie feelings that night was in the front parlor.I personaly have a bad case of selective hearing and while in the parlor I did noy hear anyone calling me. all the sudden somthing tugged on the back of my shirt as if something was trying to tell me that everyone was allready in the other room. That is all.

Alex from Louisiana says:

November 13, 2005, 8:26 pm

My friend went to this house and he said that he took a picture of the ground where two kids had supposedly fallen off the roof and died, but in the picture you can see the kids! He also said there is a man holding a gun that guards the house that is a ghost, but he seems real and won’t let you in.

Julia says:

November 24, 2005, 6:10 pm

I don’t know anything about any oleander flowers. I heard she was making a cake and some stuff from her former ear…oozed into the cake and killed them. Eww.

April says:

December 9, 2005, 12:02 pm

The stories about this house are awesome. I have been in a haunted house before and it was pretty scary. I would really love to visit the Myrtles Plantation and see these ghosts for myself.

Avery says:

December 30, 2005, 8:54 pm

I went to the Myrtles on a class trip. Chloe stole my friend’s earring.

Kimmie says:

January 2, 2006, 3:40 pm

Avery, that little comment is completely stupid and untrue. Show a little class and respect for a woman who has passed on.

Avery says:

January 2, 2006, 11:29 pm

It’s neither stupid or untrue. They tell that story when you go on the tour. They say that Chloe only has one ear, so she steals one earring from people. I took mine off before I went in. I have respect for the dead, I’m just telling you what happened. If you don’t like the story, find their homepage and snap at them.

TIFFANY says:

January 4, 2006, 6:41 pm

avery you are right. i have been to the myrtles several times. it is true that chloe does steal jewelry as well as other items. sometimes they are found and sometimes they are not. chloe also likes to take the items and place them in rooms which are off limits to visitors.

Wynter says:

January 11, 2006, 5:31 pm

I think this house shows a common misbelief caused by old-wives-tales. Still, It would be fun for mothers and daughters.

Carrie says:

January 27, 2006, 6:36 pm

I live in Louisiana but have never visited the Myrtles, but I do believe these ghosts or what ever you wish to call them do exist. I am originally from Illinois, and as a young girl I remember stories that my mother would tell us of her Aunt who always said when she died she was coming back as a white cat. The evening her sister, my grandmother passed, a large white cat came through the open window and sat on my Although he was not seen his presence has been felt by many. He came to me the night of his death, he lived in Illinois and I in Florida at the time. I do believe that these experiences people have had at the Myrtles can very well be true.

tara says:

February 1, 2006, 10:57 pm

We have spent the night in the house and didn’t see anything, but we all had an eerie feeling being there and heard strange noises on our voice recorder. One lady took a picture of her friend and there is a man standing in the background that was not there at the time.

Cate says:

February 4, 2006, 5:59 pm

we know it’s haunted because we saw this black lady’s ghost and she was drawn to the shine on marie’s wheel chair, we thought she was sum1 dressed up who worked there, but she never spoke and walked around a corner and we followed, yet she dissapered! omg!

Greg says:

February 13, 2006, 11:06 am

I will have to take up a collection for that poor helpless girl who attracts ghosts with her wheel chair. but yeah I’v been to the plantation about 10 times and every time something weird happens like i have my name called or i feel like someone is watching me it maybe is the judges children ohhhhhhhhhhhhh scarrrrrrrrrrrrry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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