The Myrtles Plantation: America's Most Haunted Home

A Plantation Steeped in Tragedy

Built in 1796 by General David Bradford, The Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana, has earned its reputation as one of the most haunted homes in America. This antebellum mansion, with its 125-foot veranda and ornate cast-iron railings, stands as a monument to both Southern grandeur and the dark history that permeates its halls.

The Legend of Chloe

The plantation's most famous ghost is that of Chloe, an enslaved woman whose story has become central to the Myrtles' haunted legacy. According to historical accounts, Chloe was caught eavesdropping on a private conversation and had her ear cut off as punishment. She began wearing a green turban to hide her disfigurement.

In an attempt to regain favor with the family, Chloe baked a birthday cake laced with oleander leaves—intending only to make the family mildly ill so she could nurse them back to health. The plan went tragically wrong. Sara Woodruff, the lady of the house, and two of her daughters died from the poisoning. The other enslaved people, fearing retribution, hanged Chloe and threw her body into the Mississippi River.

Witnesses report seeing a woman in a green turban on the plantation grounds, particularly near the main house. Photographs taken at the plantation have captured unexplained figures that match Chloe's description.

The Poisoned Mirror

One of the plantation's most notorious artifacts is a large French mirror in the main hallway. According to tradition, mirrors in a house should be covered when someone dies, to prevent their spirit from being trapped. When Sara Woodruff and her daughters died, this mirror was not covered.

Visitors and staff report seeing handprints—including small children's handprints—appearing on the mirror's surface, even after it has been cleaned. Some claim to see the faces of Sara and her daughters reflected in the glass, and others report that the mirror feels unnaturally cold to the touch.

The Haunted Rooms

The William Winter Room

William Winter, an attorney who owned the plantation in the 1860s, was shot on the front porch by an unknown assailant. He staggered into the house and made it to the 17th step of the main staircase before dying in his wife's arms. Guests staying in the William Winter Room report hearing footsteps climbing the stairs and stopping at the 17th step. The sound of labored breathing and a body collapsing has been documented by multiple witnesses.

The Children's Rooms

The rooms where Sara Woodruff's daughters died remain active with paranormal phenomena. Guests report hearing children's laughter, the sound of a music box playing, and small footsteps running through the hallways. Toys have been found moved from their original positions, and some visitors report feeling small hands tugging at their clothing.

Documented Paranormal Activity

The Myrtles Plantation has been investigated by numerous paranormal research teams and featured on television programs including Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, and Unsolved Mysteries. Common phenomena include:

• Apparitions of Chloe in a green turban on the grounds
• Handprints appearing on the French mirror
• Phantom footsteps on the main staircase
• The scent of perfume in empty rooms
• Piano music from the parlor when no one is present
• Doors opening and closing on their own
• Electronic voice phenomena (EVP) throughout the house
• Unexplained cold spots and electromagnetic field fluctuations
• The chandelier swaying with no air movement

The Myrtles Today

The Myrtles Plantation operates as a bed and breakfast and offers daily historical tours and nightly mystery tours. Guests can book overnight stays in the main house, though many report sleepless nights due to unexplained sounds and encounters. The plantation is also a popular venue for weddings and special events—though some couples report uninvited spectral guests in their wedding photos.

Location: 7747 US-61, St. Francisville, LA 70775

The plantation sits on 10 acres of meticulously maintained grounds, featuring ancient live oaks draped in Spanish moss—a setting that is both beautiful and unsettling after dark.

Have you experienced the paranormal at The Myrtles Plantation? Share your encounter with the Night Watch Archives community.

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