The Myrtles Plantation: A Haunting Journey Through Southern History

Nestled in the heart of St. Francisville, Louisiana, the Myrtles Plantation stands as a captivating testament to the rich and often dark history of the American South. This antebellum mansion, with its majestic wrap-around veranda and 20 rooms, is more than just a beautiful piece of architecture – it’s a portal to another time, where the past and present seem to collide in the most spine-tingling ways.

Built in 1796 by General David Bradford, the Myrtles was originally known as Laurel Grove. Bradford, who had a bit of a rebellious streak, was actually on the run after participating in the Whisky Rebellion. Talk about starting off with a bang! It wasn’t until President John Adams pardoned him in 1799 that Bradford could really settle into his new digs.

Now, let’s talk about the plantation’s most famous (or should I say infamous?) resident – Chloe. Poor Chloe was a slave who found herself in a pretty sticky situation. Not only was she forced into a life of servitude, but she also became the mistress of Judge Clark Woodruff, who had married into the Bradford family. Talk about workplace complications!

Chloe’s story takes a turn for the worse when she’s caught eavesdropping on the Woodruffs. Judge Woodruff, not exactly known for his kindness, decides to punish her by cutting off one of her ears. Ouch! From then on, Chloe hides her disfigurement under a green turban – a constant reminder of her humiliation.

But Chloe wasn’t one to take things lying down. She hatched a plan for revenge that would make even the most seasoned mystery writer raise an eyebrow. On the birthday of Judge Woodruff’s daughter, Chloe baked a cake. Sounds sweet, right? Well, not so much when you learn that she laced it with oleander leaves – a plant whose pretty flowers hide a deadly secret.

Now, some say Chloe didn’t mean to kill anyone. She just wanted to make the family sick so she could nurse them back to health and get back in their good graces. But things didn’t quite go according to plan. The judge’s wife, Sara, and two of their children, Cornelia and James, ended up dying from the poison. Talk about a birthday surprise gone horribly wrong!

The aftermath of this tragedy was just as brutal as the act itself. When the other slaves found out what Chloe had done, they took matters into their own hands. They hung her from a tree and then tossed her body into the Mississippi River. It’s like something out of a horror movie, isn’t it?

But here’s where things get really interesting. This tragic event seems to have kicked off a whole series of ghostly encounters that have been haunting the Myrtles Plantation for generations. It’s like the place became a hotspot for supernatural activity overnight!

Visitors and staff at the plantation have reported all sorts of spooky occurrences. One of the most common is seeing children’s faces and fingerprints in the mirror of the front hall. Legend has it that this mirror wasn’t covered after Sara and her children died, trapping their spirits inside. Next time you’re checking your hair in an antique mirror, you might want to look a little closer!

And Chloe? Well, she’s not one to let a little thing like death keep her down. People say they’ve seen her wandering around the plantation, still wearing that green turban. She’s even been known to help herself to an earring if she finds a pair she likes. I guess old habits die hard, even in the afterlife!

But Chloe isn’t the only ghostly resident at the Myrtles. There’s also William Winter, a later owner of the plantation who met a pretty tragic end. In 1871, he was shot on the front porch and died on the 17th step of the staircase, right in his wife’s arms. Talk about a dramatic exit! Guests have reported hearing heavy footsteps on the stairs that stop abruptly, as if recreating Winter’s final moments.

The cast of spectral characters doesn’t end there. There’s a mournful elderly African-American man who keeps mentioning “the wallow,” an old pond on the property. Uniformed soldiers have been spotted hanging around the main staircase. And some guests have even reported having their blankets pulled up over them during the night. I guess Chloe decided to switch careers from vengeful cook to ghostly chambermaid!

Now, I know what you’re thinking. This all sounds a bit far-fetched, right? Well, you’re not alone. There’s been some debate about how accurate these stories really are. Historical records show that the Myrtles has indeed seen its fair share of tragedy and death, but some of the tales might have gotten a bit… embellished over time. You know how it is – one person sees a shadow, the next thing you know, it’s a full-blown ghostly apparition doing the cha-cha!

But here’s the thing – even if some of the stories have been exaggerated, there’s no denying that something weird is going on at the Myrtles. The sheer number of paranormal experiences reported by visitors and staff is pretty hard to ignore. It’s like the plantation has become a magnet for the supernatural!

This reputation has turned the Myrtles into a hotspot for ghost hunters and thrill-seekers. The plantation offers historical tours during the day for those who want to learn about its past without getting too spooked. But for the brave souls out there, there are ghost tours at night. Now that’s what I call dinner and a show!

And if you’re really feeling adventurous, you can even stay overnight in one of the six available rooms. Just don’t be surprised if you wake up to find your blankets tucked in a little tighter than when you went to sleep!

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Is it ethical to turn a place with such a dark history into a tourist attraction?” It’s a fair question, and one that the current proprietor, Morgan Moss, has grappled with. In a time when Old South nostalgia is viewed with increasing (and justified) skepticism, Moss is working to reposition the family business.

The goal is to appeal to a broader audience – locals, schoolchildren, foodies – while still honoring the ghostly legends that make the Myrtles unique. It’s a delicate balance, but one that seems to be working. After all, where else can you get a history lesson, a ghost story, and possibly a paranormal encounter all in one place?

But the Myrtles isn’t just about the ghosts. The plantation is a stunning example of antebellum architecture. From the intricate crown molding to the petticoat mirrors and mercury-encased doorknobs, every detail tells a story about life in the Old South. It’s like stepping into a time machine, minus the risk of accidentally becoming your own grandfather.

For those who visit the Myrtles, the experience is often a mix of fascination and fear. Some people are all gung-ho about ghost sightings… until they actually happen. Then it’s all “I’m not afraid of no ghost” until they’re running for the hills faster than you can say “Ghostbusters”!

Others swear up and down that they’ll never see a ghost, right up until the moment they do. And then there are those who, after a few mint juleps, start seeing ghosts everywhere. Pro tip: maybe ease up on the cocktails if you’re hoping for a genuine paranormal encounter!

Whether you’re a believer in the supernatural or just someone who loves a good story, the Myrtles Plantation is a place that will captivate and intrigue you. It’s where history and mystery blend together in a way that’s both haunting and beautiful.

So, if you’re feeling brave and curious, why not plan a visit to the Myrtles? It might just be the adventure you’re looking for – one that could leave you with memories (and maybe a few ghostly encounters) that you’ll never forget. Just remember to keep your wits about you, your eyes open, and maybe leave the oleander-laced cake at home. Happy ghost hunting!