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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joe silvestro says: |
September 27, 2006, 9:55 am |
hay kensi go away
JULES says: |
September 28, 2006, 5:11 pm |
I visit the Myrtles Plantation on a regular basis. It’s located in St. Francisville, La. It’s a very mesmerizing place. I love to visit there. It’s not spooky at all although, in my opinion very haunted. A couple years ago on my birthday we tried to stay the night there. We had the care-takers cottage and while lying in bed I felt a hand rub my stomach twice, needless to say, we left. I love to visit the place but will never stay again. The stories that are told on the ghost tour are just that, “Stories.” They are not true. There are no records of Chloe ever existing. The children did exist and you can visit their grave sights 1 mile from the Plantation. If you knew the real story, it’s just as interesting as the “Ghost Tour Story.” I think that Taps did a wonderful job at the Myrtles.
Gordon says: |
October 4, 2006, 10:23 pm |
My wife and I visited the Myrtles, and I brought my 35mm SLR camera (nothing electronic except the flash). I took several pictures of the grounds both before the tour and after. I also took several pictures while inside. When I had the film developed, the pictures of the grounds were clear and crisp, but NO pictures came up in between. The photo lab could not explain why the first 10 pictures were there, as were the last 9, but the 6 frames in between were blank. Haunted?? You tell me…
David says: |
October 5, 2006, 10:08 pm |
I heard Of the ghost….There are Pics of the the kids
and Chloe; Chloe is off center but visable yet see through. The kids are also see through.
Nhi says: |
October 6, 2006, 3:42 pm |
I live in Louisana about all my life…but I used to live in Iowa when I was a child. But I am now a bit older cuz I move to LA in like 4 years after I was born.Today I live in a normal house or atleast I think..but I used to live in a house in Lousiana what you could feel such an eerie feeling…you sometimes see writing which you didn’t write on pieces of paper…and I also heard my mom voice singing at home…when I check her room…she wasn’t there…I thought she was…but I remeber she went shopping hours ago..freaky eh?
Liz says: |
October 9, 2006, 11:05 am |
Me and some of my friends just got back from the Myrtles and we plan to go again. It was fantastic and although we didn’t see anything with our “naked eyes” our cameras did pick up some interesting things such as tons of orbs and weird things going on with the lights on the grounds in the pics. If you go, you really need to stay the night like we did to get the full benefit of the place. It’s absolutely beautiful there!
Jessica says: |
October 17, 2006, 1:16 pm |
I want to the Myrtles Plantation over a year ago but when i went something realy creapy happened! We were in the room right next to the foyer,on the couch when me best friends mom took a couple pictures!Well we got them developed,and in one of the pictures,the cushon that niether of us were sittin on was indented like there was someone sitting on it!
Erica says: |
October 18, 2006, 4:21 pm |
A bunch of my friends and I got together and rented the whole house out and had the time of our lives. We only knew about the stories on tv and from the tour. While we were there we heard nothing and only saw a cat walking around. We heard stuff beyond our bedroom door inside the house, our room had 3 doors in it, so it could have been anything. When I arrived it felt very scary, you could just feel it when we pulled into the driveway. We had so much fun, we investigated the grounds and the house, once everyone had left. It was till about a week after I bought a book about haunted places that I found out about the ghost cat, and the downstairs room that my friend and I stayed in. The room we stayed in was known to be a very emotional room. It just so happens that my friend was crying hysterically for no reason. Weird, but pretty cool. Now in 2 weeks I am headed to Estes Park, CO to stay at the Stanley Hotel, can’t wait!
nikki says: |
October 23, 2006, 2:28 pm |
I live in Arkansas and I’ve heard of this ghost thing. I really want 2 go and see it!!! It’s just that ya’ll really don’t make it sound that scary… is it???
MJ says: |
October 26, 2006, 5:15 pm |
I live in Baton Rouge, La. My sister took a tour of the Myrtles last year with a group of people. She said she saw the children along with several other people who saw them too. A boy and a girl. They were in front of a window that was boarded up. And then they were gone. Haunted?????
Lauren says: |
October 27, 2006, 9:32 pm |
I worked at the myrtles during the 2004 Halloween Season. I gave tours to many many people. However, I only had one real experience. I’m convinced it’s haunted but unfortunately I also think it has been played up a bit and the history has been tweaked a bit. Make up your own mind and remember that the house is more active when its not as full and there aren’t as many people in the house. Basically, don’t go during the month of October if you actually want to see something
Melanie says: |
November 1, 2006, 4:43 pm |
My mother stayed the night at the Myrtles and she will not go back. She could not sleep all night. Her bed shook, her earings were by her bed and then they were in her suitcase, and she felt hands on her back!!
joseph says: |
November 1, 2006, 7:03 pm |
hey i read all the comments and i saw a documentary of it on the discovery channel and it sounds really cool i belive in ghost and all that supernatural stuff im turning 14 in december and im gonna stay the night on my birth day i cant wait i really love a good scare
PEACE!
Kristin says: |
November 2, 2006, 4:11 pm |
I love the Myrtles, it is sooo pretty. I have just got done reading a book by Francies Keermen and she owned the Myrtles for almost 10 years and its called The Myrtles Plantation the true story about americas most Haunted House. Its the best haunting book i’ve read so far. I have gotten some very freaky pictures from my hometown ( Asheville NC) and believe very strongly. I watch Ghost Hunters every Wensday night starting at 7pm est and most haunted every friday night starting at 9pm and A Haunting on Discorvery Channel and wish I could get more. I wish on day to go to the house and tour it, but I dont think I can stand staying the night.
Kristin says: |
November 2, 2006, 4:18 pm |
If anyone would like to see my Misty Ghost Picture I got from a Church in Asheville NC I would love to send it to you. Email me a hhmm702@yahoo.com and i strongly recommend reading the book by Francies Keermen.
Brittany says: |
November 16, 2006, 2:13 pm |
I am currently working on a research paper about the Myrtles Plantation. It’s just about one of the most interesting places I’ve ever studied! Reading all these comments that people posted makes me feel more familiar to the place. Thanks to everyone that has left a comment!
Bill says: |
December 2, 2006, 12:09 pm |
I have a picture with a ghostly figure in it from the
Myrtles’ Plantation. I have a small one that I had blown up bigger and it is really creepy to look at it.
Kelsi says: |
December 4, 2006, 2:40 pm |
I think that all these stories are effin awesome!! I just recently bought a book about Americas most haunted places and it was in there and I thought it was awesome!!!!!!!!!I LOVE GHOSTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jerry Asbury says: |
December 7, 2006, 4:12 pm |
Has anyone seen the St. Francisville Exsperiment it’s movie about four college students. They go into the house over night I’m not sure but think it’s mansion would anyone happen to know the name of the place I would like to know. E-mail me @ jerry182020022002@yahoo.com
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joe silvestro says:
September 27, 2006, 9:51 am
golden girl u suck