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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Courtney says:

May 28, 2008, 4:20 pm

I’ve been. It has great stories. The story of Chloe stealing an earring is supposed to be true. They told the story on the tour. The mirror it my favorite. You can see the face and the hands of the ghost. Anyone who has not been, should. We went for halloween, it was amazing! Hopefully we can stay the night one day :) .

[[Hailey]]. [babii]. lolz says:

May 30, 2008, 6:07 pm

i went to the myrtles plantation may 20,2008 on my birthday.it was a class trip.it had weird smells and weird humming noises. there also was a cat brushing our legs with his tail. it was soooo spooky!!! when i got home i look at my digital camera and found a ghost standing in the back of while taking my pictures. i was still trying to find out whta tree it was that chloe was hang on.it was a cool trip but, i wouldnt advise no one to stay their becuz it’z lyke sooooo spooky!! and i also heard that chloe lyke to take people earrings especially the one thats wearing hoops!! so girls when you go their dnt wear hoop earrings!! hahaha scary isnt it!! lolz bye bye!!

Christine says:

June 8, 2008, 3:01 pm

A good Ghost story = Good cash flow.

It’s a no brainer, people ;)

Liz says:

June 17, 2008, 2:24 pm

I was at the Myrtles in October of 2005. While I didn’t see or hear anything extraordinary, I did manage to pick up a few ghostly type of images with my digital camera. Such as a tree I took a snap of in the middle of darkness a couple of times. The first one looked like any ordinary tree however, the second shot showed more orbs than I could ever explain. I also had some shots of what I call dancing or shooting lights. I also caught on video via a cell phone a strange light moving towards me from the front of the house then going back to the house. It was a trip because you couldn’t see this with your naked eye, only on the video. We’re going back next month and I’m hoping to catch a lot more creepy images!

Drake says:

June 20, 2008, 8:19 am

I went to the Myrtles a few years ago. At the end of the tour the last room is the childrens dining room. I was fine all the way until we got in that room. I felt a heaviness on me like I couldn’t breath or something. I had to get out of the room and fast. As soon as I got out on the back porch it went away. I wasn’t scared and wasn’t even thinking of anything scary. It seemed like a cool place until this happened. I told the lady there about it and she said that it has happened to other people in other rooms as well.

caitlin says:

June 26, 2008, 4:16 pm

I myself went to the myrtles on vacation going to new orleans soon after hurricane katrina and we toured the house and even took pictures in the mirror that you supposidly can see a girl in but all i saw was orbs which were probly from others takin pictures…the people who gave the tour made a joke out of it they just didnt make it seem real whatsoever so i was dissapointed

Candy says:

August 4, 2008, 11:27 am

OK, We just visited the Myrtles Plantation on Saturday evening. We did the 7:00 tour and was very disapponted. First, this story does not match what they tell you on the tour. On the tour, they say that the Judge and his son were out of town when Chloe baked the cake, it was a birthday cake for the little girl. She meant to kill them, the wife and 2 girls because she was jealous.

The mirror everyone talks about is a hoax, they say they change out the mirror every so many years and the same images always come back after a couple of months. As far as the images on peoples film when developed, I have a thought. Remember in science class they did the flash of light that leaves the shadow of a person on a wall for a couple of seconds? Well, the house is so dim, when you take the pic, you use your flash, think about it. You have all these people standing around in the room while you take the pics, it could pick up a shadow of one of these people.

I don’t know, I guess if I felt something for myself like a hand on my arm and turned around and no one was there, I might believe. But these are just ghost stories. And 10 bucks a person is a rip off, they don’t even let you go upstairs.

Anakin says:

August 17, 2008, 2:36 am

I just visited the myrtles’ plantation yesterday and this place is MOST DEFINITELY haunted! There were eerie vibes everywhere and me and my friend snuck upstairs (because it’s blocked off) and we tried to go in one of the rooms but it was locked. so we turned to go back downstairs, but then we heard a ***** noise inside the door. so we tried to open it again and it was unlocked! So we went in and standing on the other side of the room stood a dark shadowy figure of a black woman holding a cake in her hand. In an instant she had somehow drifted over to use and was shoving handfuls of the cake down our throats. We turned and darted out of there as soon as possible. We left the land and ever since ive had stomach pains and extremely explosive diahrrea ever since. roger the plumber couldn’t even fix my toilet.

Deliverance Minister Helena Garilano says:

September 13, 2008, 8:07 am

The Hotel is haunted because the owner has not dealt with the spirits. The spirits have a “legal ground” to stay and that would be a tragic event such as a fire or someone dying on the property. There is a curse because of a death on the property. The legal grounds must be removed. If the owner does not deal with this. Visitors must do this if you are a Christian. Whenever you pay for a room at a hotel before walking in you say I cover myself and family with the blood of Jesus Christ, I break any curses brought in by a death in the area where I occupy in the Name of Jesus Christ. I bind all demons and command you to leave this room in the Name of Jesus Christ , I command you to leave in the Name of Jesus Christ (repeat many times) Read the bible out loud in the room . They might follow you home. Say Any demon that transfered to me followed me or was sent to me I bind you and cast you out in the Name of Jesus Christ. Demons can change their appearance to look like a person. They don’t want you to know who they are. There are more details on my website http://www.HauntedHouseBuster.Com

Katie says:

September 15, 2008, 4:02 pm

I went to this house two time and one of the times I even spent the night and I was so scared!!!!!!!!

Jason says:

October 4, 2008, 5:13 pm

http://www.paranormalknowledge.com

We cover what Realhaunts.com does not.

Sherry says:

October 10, 2008, 2:21 am

DEE! I went to the Myrtle last weekend and I not only have photos with tons of orbs and several “images” just like many others you have ever seen posted, I also have an incredible photo of what looks like two small children walking. One appears to be a little blond headed boy! My photo was taken at night but you can still clearly see what it is. I took it in the front yard and while one image may or may not be a little girl or it could be the cherub in the front yard, right behind it IS a little blond headed boy. I have been combing the internet for anyone else who has a photo or knowledge of a little blond boy at the Myrtle and ran across your blog on my search.

Jana says:

October 15, 2008, 1:09 am

I’m sorry to burst people’s bubbles but I am from Louisiana and have been to the Myrtles several times. I also sat with an elderly lady who is 93 yrs. old named Miss Delma who grew up across the street from the Myrtles. She told me that all of these “ghost” stories are FALSE!! The events which lead up to the so called ghosts NEVER HAPPENED!! It was made up to attract tourists. It is a lovely plantation and a nice place to visit or spend the night but it is not haunted!! Sorry…..

Taylor says:

October 17, 2008, 4:36 pm

I have been to this house before. How? Do you ask well thats my grandmothers house all of my family members in the past have lived there for at least one month my mom has passed away allready so when my grandmother dies it will be my ouse if you have any questions dont hestitate to e-mail me at taylor_your_my_girl_90@yahoo.com

dylan f. says:

October 21, 2008, 1:39 pm

this is a very creepy story and i really don’t believe in ghost storys but i am convinced!

Jazzy says:

October 21, 2008, 6:42 pm

I read the book whn i was like 10 and that book is CREEPY it’not even funny and i LOVE creepy and scary stuff dude was counldn’t sleep for three day in a row! O_o

Salinaz says:

November 5, 2008, 1:27 pm

I went to the Myrtles with my sister a couple of years ago. Have since done some research and found out the true history of the place. No murders took place there. That, however, does not explain how my son took a picture of my sister and I with a little boy right behind us in the infamous mirror. (Has a hat on, can’t tell the color of his hair,Sherry) You can see the staircase right through him. Explain that one, please, anyone…anyone? (One day I will copyright the picture for my son and publish it on their official site!)

Kim says:

November 6, 2008, 6:03 pm

My husband and I stayed in the Caretakers Cottage. We did the evening tour of the house and we were in the parlor and I jump, my husband ask if I was ok. I told him it felt like a cat just rubbed up against my leg. That night about 2am, both my husband woke up because we heard something out side. I ask him what he heard, he said it sounded like someone sweeping.Told him that’s the same thing I heard. We also have pictures .

Michael says:

November 18, 2008, 8:12 pm

We had a great time! The folks there were super, both the living ones and the spirited! We met some great guests as well. The paranormal action was more than I expected for our rather short visit. The Myrtles plantation is a great “Period” or “Historical” get-away on its’own however there may not be any avoiding the paranormal.

carol says:

December 8, 2008, 12:07 pm

i find this really interesing but would give me a heart attack lol it’s really cool!!!

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