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 »
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Dean says: |
July 26, 2007, 12:04 pm |
I think Haunted Amerrica Tours has the best ghost photos of the Myrtles
Myrtles Plantation Ghost Photos HAUNTED AMERICA TOURSTHE LEGENDARY MYRTLES PLANTATION IN ST. FRANCISVILLE, LOUISIANA plantation bedbreakfast hour outsidef New Orleans home several ghosts,The Myrtles Plantation …
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Myrtles Plantation http://www.hauntedamericatours.comThe saga of the Antebellum South and a lifestyle that will be forgotten lives on at The Myrtles Plantation, a 205-year-old home that is listed on the …
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Myrtles Plantation Ghost Haunted America Tours.comMYERLES PLANTATION Haunted TRUE FACTS, GHOST, STORIES,PHOTOS,IMFORMATION, TRUTH.
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View topic – GHOST PHOTOS SUBMITED BY: Molly Burns :: Haunted …Ghost Photo taken at The Myrtles Plantation in Louisiana February 19, 2006 … Post Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 5:19 pm Post subject: Myrtles ghost Photo …
http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=114&sid=ecba4778d70b393479d51fe4729bf77e – Supplemental Result – Similar pages
View topic – GHOST PHOTO SUBMITED BY: Casey :: Haunted America …I just got back from the Myrtles. I saw small shadows all over the room as well as a presence of a woman. I took these two pictures within a few second of …
http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=117 – Supplemental Result – Similar pages
View topic – SUBMITED BY: Art MacKinnon. :: Haunted America Tours …I stayed at the Myrtles on 06/10/06 in the Fannie Williams room, … i WENT TO THE MYRTLES AND iT iS REALLY SPOOKY. i WATCHED THE PROGRAM ON THE SCiFIi …
http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1091&sid=7887760a783cea59c5c171f86872e7b4 – Supplemental Result – Similar pages
Haunted Archives HauntedAmericaTours.comThe Myrtles Plantation, Louisiana’s Most Haunted House. The Myrtles is considered one of the most real life haunted house in America. Find out why here! …
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Ghost Photos From a Family Album HauntedAmericaTours.comI went recently to the Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana, … During my visit to the Myrtles, while we waited to take the daily tour, …
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REAL Haunted House | Haunted Mansion | Haunted Plantation Haunted …The Myrtles Plantation:. Louisiana’s Most Haunted House. The Myrtles is considered one of …. Myrtles Plantation Ghost Photos sent to us by you! …
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View topic – Myrtle’s Plantation :: Haunted America Tours Guest …Fabled throughout the South as the region’s most haunted house, Myrtle’s Plantation was built in 1796 by Whiskey Rebellion leader, Gen. David Bradford. …
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Joie says: |
July 29, 2007, 10:26 pm |
I too have been to the Myrtle’s and I lagged behind in the Gentleman’s parlor when the tour guide insisted that nobody do so. I didn’t believe in ghosts at all and wanted to see if I would be proved wrong. I stayed behind as the tour went on into the children’s dining room and as I was looking at a book on the fireplace mantel, something rubbed up my back and lifted my hair up. It actually was a very warm and comforting feeling. Not scary at all. It didn’t make me believe in mean ghosts but it did make me believe in kind spirits or guardian angels, or something. Even if it’s not haunted, the place is worth visiting for the amazing history it has!
pamela says: |
July 31, 2007, 3:28 am |
I too have visited the Myrtle Plantation. i did not see any ghosts, but you can feel the history of the place very much. I would’nt want to stay there overnight…(ALONE)!!!
Jacquelyn Brown says: |
August 6, 2007, 12:48 am |
They had this on the History channel, BUT! they said she was doing voodoo. I mean, I dont know. I want to visit scary places like Louisiana(I live in NC), expecially to see Marie Lav-whatever.
akeem says: |
August 23, 2007, 2:42 pm |
omg its really true i saw a pic of the haunted mirror on this pagehttp://www.hauntedamericatours.com/ghostphotos/myrtlesghostphotos/ and its really true the photos were spoilt by some kind of fog
Sandy says: |
September 15, 2007, 10:56 am |
I ve Heard of this story b4 very kool!
Ben says: |
October 6, 2007, 12:32 pm |
I stayed at the myrtles for three nights last summer. I stayed in one of the garden rooms. The myrtles is a great place to visit whether you are there hunting ghosts or just to relax and enjoy scenery along with history. The room i stayed in would not stay locked. Every time i came into the room i locked the door behind me and it would unlock itself. We went on a walk of the grounds every night and we would see shadows darting back and forth between the trees. It was almost like a game of hide and go seek. The second night I was laying in bed almost asleep when i felt my bed get pushed down on the side i wasn’t sleeping on. I got up and grabbed my camera as fast as i could. Took a picture and there is a perfect indention all the way down the bed where a body would be laying. I’ve got the picture if anybody wants to see it you can email me at Vegaskid1982@yahoo.com I would like believers and skeptics alike to email me and give me an opinion as to how to explain this picture. My friends and i are starting a group to go to all these places and would like others opinions on our findings.
Jean the munchkin says: |
October 6, 2007, 9:38 pm |
Hey, i had just got done with my soccor game and we had one 4 to 1. We had decided to go and have some scary fun! They was so fun! Those pics were sooooo creapy but so fun! I saw a few of gost. lol this place is cool! This place has got me to go 2 the 13 gate. We will see how it goes.
MUCH LOVE
Munchkin
XOXOXOXOXO
Hugs And Kisses
twyla rider says: |
October 7, 2007, 7:12 pm |
as a believer in the paranormal, my fiance and i have agreed to make wedding reservations at myrtles plantation enough said
Kristi says: |
October 16, 2007, 12:58 am |
I have gone on a couple of class trips to the Myrtles. The first time some classmates took a pic with the cat and in the actual pic you could only see a blur where the cat had been. And someone also took a pic of the mirror in the foyer and a girls face showed up in the corner. The second time one of chaperones lost an earring in the dining room. The lights started to blink and the chandelier started to shake.
~Elmos Wif3y~ says: |
November 19, 2007, 12:08 pm |
Um…Sorry to break the news to those who ever wants to go there but you cant…My daddy had a bad experience there and a co-worker was injured from the “spirit” so they are tearing it down and my dad is making a marketing landline there. =)
Lilly says: |
November 22, 2007, 2:07 am |
Who ever had the idea of putting the sound effect in that says “hello” in a womans voice while you read this story or comments is really mean!!! It scared the life out of me. It’s a rotten trick
tiff says: |
November 22, 2007, 5:23 pm |
I would love to see the ghost picture. I just love of hearing about ghost, but I’ve also heard to be careful around stuff like demons and ghosts, because you don’t know what your getting yourself into. I mean no offense of course, because the only time I saw a ghost was when I was in Virginia Beach, one summer with older half sister Brandy and her friend.
And what do they mean about Chloe not being real. I believe she is real, of course that’s my belief. And I heard that 10 deaths happened at the Myrtles and I am not sure what happened to Octavia, the baby daughter of Sarah and Judge Woodruff. All I know is that the Judge’s wife, Sarah and her two oldest daughters died. And that a gang of whites and blacks hanged Chloe. Oh one more thing, may I suggest you come to Patrick Henry Hotel in Roanoke, VA. I heard it is haunted. It would be really cool if I could see a ghost again.
julia says: |
November 24, 2007, 4:25 pm |
heyy has anyone been there at 12-1 a.m? cause thats the paranormal hour.
carly says: |
January 31, 2008, 5:41 pm |
julia..its is called the dead hour and it is at 3:00 a.m. surely there have been plenty there at that time b/c they rent the rooms upstairs out for the night. it is not actually a hotel but they do rent a few rooms out upstairs only…and you have to get reservations way ahead of time b/c they are so back up of peaple wanting to stay thier….
katlyn says: |
February 6, 2008, 11:06 am |
ya I dont think I belive in ghosts so…….. YA sry
Christi says: |
February 16, 2008, 6:03 pm |
I’ve lived in louisiana all my life and you wouldn’t beleive all the stories there are. You grow up on these stories. I have never been to the myrtles plantation, but I’ve seen lots os pitures from family and friends of weird things and heard tons of stories.
I can name at least 3 or 4 places near my home that are rumored haunted. I beleive there is a movie that talks about the white oleander flower (the kind she used) It might be somthing to look into. Has anyone here heard the storys of camp livingston in pineville La. I’m intreseted in hearin more about the Ice house!
Lacey Cates says: |
February 18, 2008, 11:40 pm |
My husband and I are hopefully planning a trip to The Myrtles in search of the paranormal. We’d like to stay in a different room each night we reside. I sure hope we can make it!
Melissa van Niekerk says: |
March 29, 2008, 2:46 pm |
Ha ha ha I would also be pissed… You go girl
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Karla says:
July 26, 2007, 10:59 am
My daughter and I visited the Myrtles, carrying with us camera and digital recorder. This was in the spring of 2002. There weren’t many folks around, but we missed a tour and had to wait for the next one by walking around the grounds. We kept the recorder going, snapped a few pictures, and hoped we would spot a spirit or two. After the day’s excursion, we checked our photos and listened to the tape. We got zilch on the photos, but while we were walking outside with the recorder, we caught the sound of a horse galloping up and whinnying! It was unbeleiveable! I have never heard or seen anything about that in any of the writings or comments and was curious to see if anyone has heard of this happening. Thanks.