Case File Overview
Frequently publicized as America's Most Haunted Home, The Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana, is an 18th-century antebellum mansion situated beneath ancient live oaks draped in Spanish moss. Built in 1796 by General David Bradford, the home has a long and turbulent history marked by tragic illnesses, antebellum conflict, and a notorious murder. It is famous world-wide for stories of up to 12 distinct spirits, including the legendary enslaved woman Chloe, phantom children trapped in a antique mirror, and the spirit of William Winter.
Historical Background
The Myrtles Plantation was established in 1796 by General David Bradford, a lawyer and leader in the Pennsylvania Whiskey Rebellion who fled south to Spanish West Florida to escape federal prosecution. Bradford constructed a modest central dwelling known as 'Laurel Grove.' After receiving a pardon from President John Adams, Bradford brought his family to the property. Following his death in 1808, his daughter Sara Mathilda and her husband Clarke Woodruff managed the estate.
In 1834, Ruffin Gray Stirling purchased the property and undertook massive renovations, expanding the dwelling into a grand 20-room mansion in the French Creole and Greek Revival styles, renaming it 'The Myrtles' after the crape myrtles growing on the grounds. The plantation prospered through cotton cultivation, but tragedy struck repeatedly. During the mid-19th century, multiple family members, including Sara Mathilda and several children, succumbed to yellow fever and typhoid fever.
During the Civil War, the plantation suffered financial hardship and Union troop raids. On January 26, 1871, attorney William Drew Winter, who lived at the plantation with his wife Sarah Stirling, was shot on the front porch by an unknown assailant. According to legend, Winter mortally wounded staggered into the house and managed to climb 17 steps of the grand staircase before collapsing in his wife's arms. In the 20th century, the property transitioned into a historic bed-and-breakfast and tourist destination, attracting international attention for its supernatural folklore.
Legends & Curses
The ghost lore surrounding The Myrtles Plantation is among the most famous in American folklore. The most prominent legend involves 'Chloe,' described in local ghost stories as an enslaved woman who eavesdropped on key family conversations. According to the tale, her master caught her listening at a door and ordered her ear cut off as punishment, leading her to wear a green turban to hide the scar. In revenge or an attempt to win back favor by curing them, she purportedly baked a cake containing poisonous oleander leaves intended for the family, accidentally killing Sara Mathilda and her two young daughters. Fellow slaves, fearing retaliation, hanged Chloe and threw her body into the Mississippi River. Her turbaned spirit is said to wander the grounds and house.
Another famous focal point is the large historic mirror hanging in the central hallway. Legend holds that custom dictated covering all mirrors after a death so spirits wouldn't become trapped. According to local lore, this mirror was missed following the deaths of the Woodruff children, and visitors frequently report seeing phantom handprints, child-like faces, and strange smudges inside the glass that reappear despite repeated cleanings.
The spirit of William Winter is also reported on the central staircase. Guests and tour guides claim to hear his heavy footsteps ascending the stairs, stopping precisely at the 17th step where he historically succumbed to his gunshot wound in 1871.
Reported Phenomena
Guests, overnight visitors, paranormal investigators, and staff at The Myrtles report a wide array of eerie occurrences. The most frequent reports involve the phantom mirror in the main foyer, where handprints and smudges in the shape of small hands appear from behind the silver backing. Multiple photographs taken by tourists over the decades purport to show shadowy figures, including a young woman in a green turban standing between two buildings or peering out from behind porch pillars.
Overnight guests staying in the historic bedrooms report hearing disembodied children laughing and playing in the hallways in the dead of night, grand piano keys depressing on their own in the parlor, and heavy footsteps walking past the beds. Objects like jewelry, keys, and cameras frequently disappear only to turn up in strange locations days later. Unexplained temperature drops, glowing floating orbs, and the scent of sweet vintage perfume are also regularly noted throughout the mansion.
Architecture & Layout
The Myrtles Plantation is a classic example of Southern antebellum architecture with French Creole and Greek Revival influences. The home features a grand 125-foot long wrap-around veranda supported by 28 iron posts adorned with intricate cast-iron filigree. A wide central hallway runs the length of the main house, featuring hand-carved French crystal chandeliers and a grand mahogany staircase.
The interior boasts high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, hand-painted stained glass transom windows, and original marble mantels. The property encompasses several acres of manicured grounds, featuring historic live oak trees, crape myrtles, a lily pond, historic outbuildings, and a gazebo. The estate layout provides an immersive look into 19th-century plantation design and landscape architecture.
Visitor Information & Access Rules
The Myrtles Plantation is located off U.S. Route 61 in St. Francisville, Louisiana, approximately 30 miles north of Baton Rouge. Guided historical house tours and evening mystery tours are offered daily. The plantation also operates as a bed-and-breakfast, offering overnight stays in historic mansion rooms and surrounding garden cottages.
Reservations are strongly recommended for evening tours and overnight accommodations, as tickets sell out quickly during peak seasons. On-site dining is available at the 1796 Restaurant. The grounds, garden walks, gazebo, and gift shop are open to day visitors seeking to explore the historic property at their own pace. Visitors should plan to arrive early to explore the scenic outdoor grounds.
Why It Has Its Reputation
The Myrtles achieved legendary status as 'America's Most Haunted House' due to a combination of tragic mid-19th century deaths, a documented murder on the front porch, captivating folklore like the story of Chloe and the haunted mirror, and extensive feature coverage on national television programs like Unsolved Mysteries, Ghost Hunters, and Ghost Adventures, making it an iconic destination for dark tourism enthusiasts worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is The Myrtles Plantation called America's Most Haunted House?
Because of its documented history of tragedies, lingering legends of up to 12 ghosts, and decades of visitor reports detailing paranormal phenomena.
Who was Chloe and what is her story?
Chloe is a legendary enslaved woman in Myrtles folklore who allegedly wore a green turban and whose spirit is said to haunt the home after a tragic poisoning event.
What is the story behind the haunted mirror at The Myrtles?
Legend says spirits of family members who died of illness were trapped in the mirror because it wasn't covered after death, resulting in mysterious handprints inside the glass.
Can you stay overnight at The Myrtles Plantation?
Yes, The Myrtles operates as a historic bed-and-breakfast offering overnight stays in mansion rooms and garden cottages.
Where is The Myrtles Plantation located?
It is located in St. Francisville, Louisiana, roughly 30 miles north of Baton Rouge along U.S. Highway 61.