Summary
The Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana, is one of America's best-known alleged haunted houses. Built in the late 18th century as Laurel Grove, the property gradually developed a reputation for paranormal activity during the 20th century. Owners, employees, overnight guests and visitors have since reported apparitions, unexplained voices and footsteps, unusual sounds and figures appearing in or around the house. Among the spirits traditionally associated with the property are former residents, children and a mysterious woman commonly identified as “Chloe.” Reports have accumulated over several decades, making an exact number of witnesses impossible to establish; the witness count given here therefore represents a conservative estimate. The plantation's reputation eventually attracted paranormal investigators, television productions and visitors from around the world and remains an important part of its identity today.
Additional Notes
The most famous legend concerns “Chloe,” described in later versions of the story as an enslaved woman belonging to Clark Woodruff. According to the legend, Chloe was caught listening to private conversations and punished by having part of an ear cut off, after which she wore a green turban. She supposedly attempted to regain favor with the family by placing poisonous oleander leaves in a cake, intending to make them ill so she could nurse them back to health. Instead, the story claims that Woodruff's wife and two children died. Chloe was then allegedly hanged by other enslaved people on the property. Historical research, however, has not established that a woman named Chloe lived at the plantation, while Sarah Woodruff and two of her children are recorded as having died during a yellow-fever epidemic rather than from poisoning. The Chloe narrative should therefore be regarded as part of the plantation's later folklore rather than established history. One death associated with the property is historically documented. William Drew Winter, who lived at The Myrtles during the 19th century, was shot in 1871. Later legend claims that the wounded Winter staggered inside the house and climbed the staircase before dying on the seventeenth step. His footsteps are consequently said to be heard climbing the stairs before abruptly stopping. The murder itself is historical, although details of the supernatural tradition surrounding his final moments developed later. The plantation's most famous alleged piece of paranormal evidence appeared in 1992, when then-owner Teeta Moss photographed the property. A shadowy human-shaped figure appeared in the resulting image between two buildings and was subsequently interpreted as the possible apparition of “Chloe.” The photograph became closely associated with the plantation's haunting tradition and remains one of its best-known images. As with many alleged ghost photographs, what the figure actually represents remains disputed. Today, The Myrtles continues to operate as a historic inn, offering overnight accommodation as well as historical and mystery tours. Guests can therefore stay on the property where the reported phenomena and legends originated.
The Location Today
The Myrtles in St. Francisville operates as historic accommodation and a visitor attraction. The grounds are open to visitors, while the main house offers bookable guided and self-guided tours, including evening mystery tours.
- Environment
- Building / Residence
- Time of Day
- Various – day and night
- Evidence Level
- Investigated Case
- Visiting the Location
- Ticketed, Guided, Limited
- Ownership of the Location
- Private