Myrtles Plantation – Haunted Antebellum Home in St. Francisville, Louisiana

Myrtles Plantation is often billed as one of the most haunted homes in America. It sits on a quiet stretch of land in St. Francisville, Louisiana, wrapped in moss-draped oaks and a long, unsettling history.

The house was built in 1796 by General David Bradford, a figure who fled north after his role in the Whiskey Rebellion. What began as a grand Southern estate slowly gathered a reputation for tragedy and the supernatural.

Generations of owners, deaths, and enslaved laborers left their mark on the property. Over time, the stories layered one on top of another until the plantation became a fixture of American ghost lore.

Today the site operates as a bed and breakfast that welcomes overnight guests and offers both historical and ghost tours. Visitors come for the antebellum architecture and stay for the whispered legends.

Some of those legends are documented history. Others are famous tales that historians openly dispute. Sorting the two is part of what makes Myrtles so compelling.

This guide walks through the recorded past, the enduring ghost stories, and what a visit actually involves.

Historical Background

Myrtles Plantation was established in 1796 by General David Bradford. He built the core of the home while living apart from his family during his self-imposed exile.

The estate passed through several families over the following century. Each brought new chapters of births, marriages, deaths, and hardship to the property.

Like many plantations of its era, Myrtles was built and sustained on the labor of enslaved people. Their lives, work, and suffering are an inseparable part of the site’s true history.

That history deserves to be told honestly and with respect, rather than reduced to entertainment. The people held in bondage here were human beings, not props for a ghost story.

One later owner, William Winter, managed the plantation in the mid-19th century. His violent death in 1871 became one of the most repeated tales attached to the house.

Popular accounts claim as many as ten murders occurred on the grounds. Historians have found little documentation to support that figure, and most researchers treat it as legend rather than fact.

What is clear is that the property saw genuine loss, including deaths from yellow fever and other illnesses common to the region. The house has stood through war, hardship, and reinvention.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Myrtles Plantation is described by many visitors as a place of near-constant strange activity. Guests, tour groups, and staff have all contributed reports over the years.

Apparitions are among the most commonly mentioned experiences. People claim to see figures in period clothing, sometimes reflected in mirrors or captured in photographs.

Phantom footsteps are another recurring theme. Visitors describe hearing steps move through empty hallways or climb the main staircase when no one is there.

Cold spots, flickering lights, and sudden temperature changes are frequently noted, even on still and mild nights. Some guests report doors that seem to open or close on their own.

The most famous alleged spirits include Chloe, an enslaved woman tied to the plantation’s best known legend, and William Winter, the owner shot on the porch. Ghostly children are also said to appear throughout the home and grounds.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The best known story of Myrtles Plantation is the legend of Chloe. She is described as an enslaved woman who is said to have been punished by having an ear cut off, and who is often pictured wearing a green turban to hide the wound.

According to the legend, Chloe baked a cake laced with poison that killed the wife and children of the Woodruff family. The tale claims she was later hanged by other enslaved people fearful of retribution.

It is important to be clear that historians dispute this story. Records do not confirm that a woman named Chloe lived here, and the details have shifted over time, marking it as folklore rather than documented fact.

Even so, the Chloe legend remains the emotional center of the plantation’s reputation. Guests still report seeing a figure near windows or standing quietly along the edges of rooms.

Another enduring tale surrounds a large mirror inside the house. Legend says the mirror trapped the spirits of the poisoned family, and visitors claim to see handprints and shadowy shapes appear in the glass.

The death of William Winter forms a third major story. He was shot on the front porch in 1871, and the legend holds that he staggered up the staircase and died on the 17th step.

Guests often say they hear footsteps climbing the stairs, only to stop at that exact spot. The story of the 17th step is one of the most repeated at the site.

Reports of ghostly children round out the collection. Visitors describe giggles, the patter of running feet, and small figures glimpsed in hallways, along with the occasional feeling of a tug at their clothing.

Most Haunted Spot

The main staircase is widely considered the most haunted spot in the house. It is tied directly to the death of William Winter and the legend of his final steps.

The 17th step is singled out as the focal point. This is the stair where, according to the story, Winter collapsed and died after being shot.

Many visitors describe an unexplained wave of dread or heaviness when they reach that part of the staircase. Some report cold air or the sensation of being watched.

Whether one believes the legend or not, the staircase carries a somber weight. It anchors much of the storytelling that surrounds the plantation.

Can You Visit?

Yes, Myrtles Plantation is open to the public and operates as a working bed and breakfast. This makes it one of the more accessible haunted sites in the country.

The property offers daytime historical tours that focus on the architecture and the documented past. Evening mystery and ghost tours lean into the legends and reported hauntings.

Overnight stays are available for guests who want to spend the night in a historic room. Tour prices vary depending on the type and length of the experience.

Photography is generally allowed, though some interior areas may carry restrictions. It is always best to follow the guidance of staff and posted signs.

If you enjoy this kind of destination, you can explore the most haunted plantations in America through our roundup at most haunted plantations in America. You can also browse other haunted places in Louisiana with our state guide at other haunted places in Louisiana.

Best Time to Visit

Ghost sightings are reported year round, but many guests say activity feels strongest in the fall and winter months. The period around Halloween is especially popular with visitors.

Cooler weather also makes daytime touring of the grounds more comfortable. The oaks and gardens are part of the appeal, and mild seasons let you linger outdoors.

Evening and night tours tend to feel more atmospheric after dark. The dim light and quiet grounds set the tone for the storytelling.

Booking ahead is wise during peak seasons, since overnight rooms and special tours can fill quickly. Weekends near Halloween are the busiest of all.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

Guests staying overnight often share the most detailed accounts. Some describe waking to footsteps in the hall or the faint sound of a piano playing when no one is at the keys.

Tour visitors regularly report catching unusual shapes in their photographs. A figure that was not noticed in person sometimes appears in the developed image, according to their claims.

Staff members have their own stories collected over years of working the property. Several describe doors that will not stay shut and objects that seem to shift position between rooms.

One of the most repeated guest experiences involves the staircase. People say they hear steps ascending behind them, then feel a chill when the sound halts partway up.

Children are a common thread in eyewitness reports. Visitors describe hearing laughter or small running feet in empty rooms, especially in the quieter hours.

These accounts are personal and unverified, but their consistency is part of what keeps the plantation’s reputation alive. The stories tend to echo one another across decades.

Local Legends & Myths

The Chloe legend is the most powerful myth attached to Myrtles Plantation. It endures despite the lack of historical evidence, passed from tour to tour and book to book.

The haunted mirror is another local favorite. The belief that spirits can be trapped in glass, and that handprints appear within it, has become a signature detail of the site.

The claim of ten murders on the property is best understood as legend. It adds to the atmosphere but is not supported by clear records.

Tales of a phantom piano and disembodied voices are woven through local lore as well. These stories blend genuine history with imagination and repetition over generations.

Part of the plantation’s draw is the way fact and folklore sit side by side. Separating the documented past from the embellished legend is a rewarding exercise for curious visitors.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

Myrtles Plantation has been featured on numerous paranormal television programs over the years. Shows focused on hauntings have used the site for its dramatic history and reputation.

Investigators visiting the property have reported capturing unexplained voices on audio recordings. Others describe photographs showing shadowy figures they say were not visible at the time.

Some psychics and sensitives claim the land itself holds residual energy from its difficult past. These interpretations are subjective and are not accepted as scientific proof.

Serious investigators tend to rely on tools such as audio recorders, cameras, and environmental sensors. If you are curious about the gear used on these visits, our guide to ghost hunting equipment explains the basics.

It is worth remembering that no findings at Myrtles have been definitively verified. The reports are compelling to many, but they remain firmly in the realm of the unexplained.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

Myrtles Plantation is private property that operates as a business, so all visits should go through official tours or bookings. Trespassing is not permitted and is not respectful of the site.

Certain areas of the house and grounds are off-limits to protect the historic structure. Preservation is a genuine concern for a building this old.

Guests are asked not to provoke or taunt any spirits during tours. Beyond the folklore, this rule is really about treating the property and its history with respect.

Overnight visitors should follow standard safety practices in an old building, including care on the stairs and in dim lighting. Staff instructions and posted signs are there for good reason.

Above all, the plantation’s connection to slavery calls for a respectful visit. Myrtles Plantation stands as a place where documented history and enduring legend meet, and it is best experienced with both curiosity and care.

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