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!
194 comments on this haunted house. Share your story »
194 Comments |
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Beth says: |
August 3, 2009, 1:38 am |
My husband and I just returned from a pleasant overnight stay where I awoke once to a snoring type noise and went back to sleep. We took a whole roll of film before leaving. When we returned home my daughter looked at the pictures and saw a white figure which appears to be a woman in a white dress on the right side of the front porch. No one was on the porch when I took the picture and no one was allowed on the porch at the time.
CC says: |
October 8, 2009, 8:27 pm |
I’VE SEEN THIS PLACE..MANY TV SHOWS,DOCUMENTARIES ETC..I USUALLY DONT BELIVE IN EVERYTHING I SEE ON TV, NO LESS HEAR ABOUT..BUT.. FEEL DIFFERENTLY ABOUT THIS PLACE.SOMEHOW,THE IMAGE OF CHLOE, AND THE FOREBODING STORY BEHIND IT ALL..IM VERY AFRAID TO VISIT THIS PLACE I FEEL ID BE SCARED FOR LIFE .. SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN SPIRITUAL FEELINGS,THERES SOMETHING ,AND I WOULD NEVER FEEL I NEEDED TO STAY THERE THERES SORROW THERE . UNSETTLED SORROW..SOMETHING NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY..AND THE GHOSTS OF THE UNDEAD SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE NOT SHOWN FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES..BUT THEN THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION.
Tammy says: |
October 12, 2009, 11:48 pm |
I am about to visit the Myrtles, and I can’t wait! I have always wanted to go and it will not be enough for me to go just once; unfortunately, I live NOWHERE near it, so it will be difficult to return, although I’m sure I will!
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
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Lynn says:
July 16, 2009, 4:05 pm
I have been to the Myrtles several times. A couple tours and actually slept there one night. We didn’t hear anything or see anything frightening when we stayed but it is definitely a creepy place. We are constant visitors to the Myrtles. It’s beautiful.