Sunday, April 28, 2024

Myrtles Plantation: The Souths Spookiest House

myrtle plantation house

It's part of an estate on the Cane River in Northwest Louisiana, a place separated from the rest of the state by many miles and unique circumstances. Settled by the Cane River Creoles, free people of color who became wealthy slaveowners and plantation owners, it also stands as a bit of an architectural mystery. These occurrences include handprints in the mirrors, footsteps on the stairs, eerie smells, disappearing objects, poisoning deaths, hangings, murder, and gunfire. The murky history that has been offered to “explain” why the house is so haunted in the first place might be more dubious than the award itself. One film, which was decidedly not paranormal, was a television mini-series remake of The Long Hot Summer, starring Don Johnson, Cybill Shepherd, Ava Gardner, and Jason Robards.

The Trail Of Death At The Myrtles Plantation Continues

One night, when the family was about to sit down to dinner and Woodruff was away, Chloe allegedly slipped a bit of poison into their food. And is there any truth to the claims of ghost sightings at Myrtles? The current plantation landscape is centered on a large pond that features a small island centered with a gazebo accessed by a bridge. To the rear of the main house is the oldest structure on the grounds. Now known as the General's Store, this was where General Bradford lived while the main house was being built. Currently it is used as the gift shop, laundry facilities, plantation offices and guest breakfast spot.[4] To the south is another structure that houses a restaurant.

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There are several contenders for the restless ghosts of the plantation’s legends if ghosts remain in this realm due to unresolved business. The only incident that came near this and may have given rise to this section of the story was when Eddie Haralson, Fannie Williams’ brother, was residing in a bit of home on the property. The tale claims he was slain while robbed, but this did not occur in the main house. The plot altered once more as time passed, and other publications and television programs contacted the Myrtles Plantation, adding even more killings. It was claimed that up to six additional persons had been murdered in the home besides Sarah Mathilda, her daughters, and Chloe.

Historic Preservation

William had been born to Captain Samuel Winter and Sarah Bowman on October 28, 1820 in Bath, Maine. Little is known about his early life or how he managed to meet Sarah Mulford Stirling. However, they were married on June 3, 1852 at The Myrtles and together, they had six children, Mary, Sarah, Kate, Ruffin, William and Francis.

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There were times during the building process when I wanted to change or add things. Tom made it work without hesitation, and now we're in our dream home we always wanted. To check-in for a tour or inquire further on the property, please visit us in our gift shop. 4.8 (14) Eben Byers had the potential to lead a life characterized by privilege and admiration. A gateman was recruited to welcome visitors at the entrance each day.

Andrew Nicolle/FlickrSome say the Myrtles house was built on top of an ancient Tunica Indian burial ground. National Register of Historic Places/Wikimedia CommonsThe Myrtles Plantation house in St. Francisville, Louisiana today. The largest bedroom, known as the Judge Clarke Woodruff Suite, is the only room that is accessed by the main staircase in the entry hall.

Louisiana's Myrtles Plantation Shares Chilling Photo - 97.3 The Dawg

Louisiana's Myrtles Plantation Shares Chilling Photo.

Posted: Fri, 10 Feb 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The question around the structure's origins points to the cultural melting pot it arose from, a region with a blend of African, French and Spanish influences. Over the next few years, Claude Metoyer would purchase Coincoin's freedom, along with the freedom of the ten children they would have together. The couple split in 1786—some speculate Metoyer wanted to produce an heir legal in the eyes of the French crown.

General David Bradford's Suite

Lewis, the eldest son, passed away the same year as his father, and during the Civil War, Sarah Mulford’s husband was really killed there on the porch. The Myrtles Plantation has supposedly been the location of at least ten murders since David Bradford built it in 1794. In reality, just one murder occurred here, but as has already been mentioned, some owners have never allowed the truth to get in the way of a good tale. The world-famous Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana, is one of “America’s most haunted houses” and has been for a long time. And while many ghost hunters can vouch for the fact that the house is haunted, these investigators would be surprised to learn that just a small number of the tales passed off as “fact” actually occurred. By the 1950s, the property surrounding the house had been divided among the Williams heirs and the house itself was sold to Marjorie Munson, an Oklahoma widow who had been made wealthy by chicken farms.

myrtle plantation house

The house became well known in the region for its size and remarkable craftsmanship, with a mahogany staircase and woodwork imported from England. Many of the items had to be transported from the East Coast and over the Pennsylvania mountains at great expense. Bradford would use the parlor of the house as an office, where he would meet with his clients. Discover why the Myrtles Plantation has been named 'One of Americas Most Haunted Homes.' Experience the Myrtles 7 days a week with our guided Daily Mystery Tours.

The Myrtles Plantation has long been regarded as one of America’s most haunted homes, drawing a constant stream of tourists each year, many of whom are looking for ghosts. The infamous staircase where witnesses report the sound of phantom footsteps, which stop on the seventeenth step -- where William Winter died in the arms of his true love. Unfortunately, that event never happened -- Winter died on the front porch. According to the story, the troubles that led to the haunting at the Myrtles began in 1817 when Sarah Mathilda married Clark Woodruff.

Together, he and Sarah Mathilda had three children, Cornelia Gale, James, and Mary Octavia. He began his studies with Judge David Bradford and soon earned his degree. He also succumbed to the charms of the Bradford daughter, the lovely Sarah Mathilda. Their romance blossomed under the shade of the crape myrtle trees that reportedly gave the home its lasting name. The young couple was married on November 19, 1817 and for their honeymoon, Woodrooff took his new bride to The Hermitage, the Tennessee home of his friend, Andrew Jackson. David Bradford was one of five children born in America to Irish immigrants.

I can only respond by saying that no severe ghost hunter should be afraid to look for the truth. The Myrtles Plantation in the West Feliciana town of St. Francisville, Louisiana, holds the somewhat dubious record of hosting more ghostly occurrences than just about any other house in the nation. The grand piano on the first floor plays by itself, usually repeating the same chord over and over again. When someone comes into the room to investigate the sound, the music stops and will only start again when they leave. Meanwhile, others have reported seeing William Winter, the only man we know for certain was killed at Myrtles Plantation.

Throughout the difficult post-war years in the South, he and his family—which eventually grew to include his wife and seven children—kept the Myrtles Plantation afloat. Winter stepped outside onto the side gallery of the home and was shot after the stranger called out to him and said he had some business with him. Stunned by the sound of gunfire and the departing horse, those inside the house hastened outside to find the dead man. James, his only son, passed away from yellow fever on July 15, 1824, and Cornelia Gale succumbed to the awful illness two months later, in September. Notwithstanding his grief, Woodrooff managed the plantation and cared for his kids with Elizabeth’s assistance. After earning the pardon, Bradford traveled to Pennsylvania to bring his wife and five children back to Louisiana.

To maintain ongoing and updated information of said cultural and natural history pertaining to all aspects of the Museum and House. To assist financially through fundraising activities in accomplishing the above objectives and purposes. Abin Tom Sebastian, also known as Mr. Morbid in the community, is an avid fan of the paranormal and the dark history of the world. He believes that sharing these stories and histories are essential for the future generations.For god forbid, we have seen that those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. The property has hosted diverse visitors, including historians, skeptics, and ghost hunters.

The walls of the original house were removed and repositioned to create four large rooms that were used as separate ladies’ and gentlemen's parlors, a formal dining room and a game room. Trips to Europe to purchase fine furnishings resulted in the importation of skilled craftsmen, as well. Elaborate plaster cornices were created for many of the rooms, made from a mixture of clay, Spanish moss and cattle hair.

Then, in 1992, the owner of Myrtles Plantation supposedly caught her on film. Then, in 1871, an unnamed man shot Winter in the chest as he was exiting the house. He allegedly ran back into the house and stumbled up the stairs before dying in the arms of his wife Sarah. In 1834, Woodruff sold the Myrtles Plantation to one Ruffin Gray Stirling.

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