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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Rick Garner says:

October 18, 2009, 8:42 pm

Before the Unexplained paranormal investigative team was officially formed, we visited the Most Haunted Place in America: http://www.unexplainedfiles.com/2009/10/field-reports-from-myrtles-plantation.html

AMagicalFamily says:

November 22, 2009, 11:22 pm

My daughter has been writing to Chloe the ghost for over 3 years. We finally decided to visit her pen pal. We had a very warm welcome from the staff there. Many knew our story from the beginning. We spent 2 nights there. The first night she heard whispers in her ear, I felt someone rubbing my foot. The second night she and my 24 year old nephew were paralyzed to
their beds and it was very scary. There is no doubt it is haunted. We even caught a face in one
of our photos, during the day, in the top floor of the house.

Tammy says:

November 24, 2009, 9:32 am

I just came back from the Myrtles Plantation. I have wanted to go there for years, and finally had the opportunity. I love the house, and felt like I did not want to leave. We visited twice, but did not get to stay overnight this time. I will be back as soon as I can. I feel a very strong connection to this house, without really knowing why. It feels a little like coming home to me, and that in itself makes me want to keep going back.

TYLER BOONE says:

December 22, 2009, 5:02 pm

I HAVE NEVER BEEN THAR BUT THE STORY SOND’S SCARY AND IT SOND’S LIKE THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED THAR SUFFERD AND NOW THAER ANGER AND WANT PAY BACK AND THEAR NOT STOPING UNTIL THEY GIT IT!

jazmine says:

January 19, 2010, 12:48 pm

yall is wrong for sayin dat and i just wanted to say that the project dat
im din it on is the best

Bambi from Louisiana says:

January 31, 2010, 4:34 pm

I was born, bred, & raised in Louisiana. Never lived anywhere else in my life. I went to the Myrtles with my sister when we were teenagers. I’d heard about that place my entire life, my mama used to tell me the stories all the time. Not to mention reading about it through various books about haunted places. I adored the old house! It was such a modest, small place to be a “plantation” home. I never felt uncomfortable there in the least little bit, althought the hair on the back of my neck stood up when I stood in front of the mirror that had the child’s handprint on it that never goes away. I got a creepy feeling staring at it, but that’s about it. Nothing major happened to me there. I loved it though, I remember thinking that I’d love to stay the night there or live there. I believe in the supernatural, don’t get me wrong, but I never felt anything spooky was going on there. It’s got a great story to it & it’s a beautiful place to visit & be, so for that alone I suggest that anyone who’s curious should definitely go see it…..XoXo

Rick says:

February 7, 2010, 2:28 pm

I`ve been there for a week-in, definitely NOT haunted, only claims that to draw tourists an make money, there are many houses in La. of this nature, some much prettier.

Leigh says:

March 10, 2010, 7:46 pm

We visited The Myrtles about a year and a half ago. We really enjoyed the grounds and the restaurant was great. We stayed in the house, I think the name of the room was the Fannie Williams room (I could be off). We definately felt we were not alone. We hung out with some nice people who were also from Texas. They actually had their bed shake violently! I would not leave the room (to go to the bathroom) without my husband! Will definately return.

Leigh says:

March 10, 2010, 8:07 pm

I forgot to add that our camera’s battery (that we just replaced) kept going out on us on the tour. Very annoying. I made many recordings and videos on my phone on this trip and, alas, it disappeared.

trish says:

March 11, 2010, 1:39 pm

im scare

Tgime72 says:

May 7, 2010, 3:52 pm

I’ve been there a few times and it’s a creepy place. The last time I went I was on the group tor and clearly smelled roses. I was standing by the desk n the ladies lounge. We had been speaking about the gloves and then you could smell roses. Don’t know if anyone else have heard of this but the tour guide was new and it freaked her out too.

Bethany says:

May 26, 2010, 12:36 am

I went to Myrtles Plantation in 8th grade on a field trip. The only thing I saw was the hand prints on the mirror. I had a stomach ache the whole time so I was kind of miserable. I bet I would enjoy it a bit more now.

Debbie says:

June 7, 2010, 5:35 pm

I know several people who when and stayed the night. They all experienced something. Nothing was the same except for the shadow of cloe in the mirror or a light in a picture. My cousin stated that she would recommend everyone to go and stay one night, but she said that she would never stay again. She says that someone/something was massaging her feet and it wasn’t her husband

Stephanie says:

July 3, 2010, 5:30 pm

I hvae been to the Myrtles over 100 times in the past 8 yrs. I can say that it is VERY haunted. I have caught EVP’s, experienced sevaral spirits there and even haunted animals there. I have gotten over 500 photos, of spirits , angels, and spritual beings. So if you are looking to visit a truly haunted home, you must see and experience the MYRTLES!!!!!!

Stephanie says:

July 3, 2010, 5:41 pm

I would like to add, that You do get the feeling that you are going home. I get that feeling, everytime I go. I just don;t want to leave. I live 45 miles from the Myrtles, and have had encounters with Ghost, and Spirits since I was alittle girl. I even have spirits in my home that I caught on camera, and wrote a book about Ghost’s. Its named Angels and Beyond lisited on Rosedog Publishing, If anyone would like to know more about the Myrtles, please feel free to send me and e mail with you interest to stephieghosts@yahoo.com

hetty says:

August 22, 2010, 9:48 pm

DANSI, YOU are a LIAR! YOUR NOT related to the “myrtles!” the name myrtles plantation didnt come from a last name!!! it came from the MYRTLE trees on the land. WHY DO PEOPLE HAVE TO LIE!!! GROW UP

rickpaul says:

August 22, 2010, 10:34 pm

:D , there no such things as ghosts, only demons, an yes, they are VERY real………rick

LINDA says:

October 14, 2010, 4:50 pm

I have visited the Myrtle Plantation.When we tour the house we were told not to take pictures. Immediately the hair stood up on the back of my neck I was drawn to a mirror in the dining room and something told me to take a picture so I did. When I got back home I had the pictures developed. The mirror had an image in it a lady sitting in a chair with a little boy standing by her. I mailed a copy to the Myrtle plantation. I never heard a word. No reply. Oh well I still have the negative and the original picture in my photo album makes for a good conversational piece.

DisneyFamily says:

October 14, 2010, 10:39 pm

Hi Linda,

I bet if you sent them an email you would hear back about your picture. They have quite a collection of fun pictures arriving almost daily. We also had a photo of a face in the hallway upstairs with my daughter and Moses and when I asked about it they were sent me a nice email saying that spirits often show up in photos with kids in them. Yours sounds amazing. Our trip to the plantation was a year ago but it feels like yesterday. It was both fun and terrifying all at the same time. Nice that you have a fun photo to remember your time there as well. :)

Alicia (a local) says:

May 23, 2011, 3:45 pm

I live in St. Francisville and have for my entire life and so has my family going back at least 3 generations. The Mrytles is really haunted. I have personally experienced many things there since a child. I came remember one time in particular going there and seeing the ghost of a little girl near the foot bridge going to the guizbo and not knowing she wasnt real till I asked my mother who she was and then she was gone. The mirror has been replaced several times in the house and keeps getting the same markings on them. Strange things happen there and if you are up for the challenge I recommend staying there it will be an experience you never forget

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