Some places carry history so heavy that the past never quite seems to leave. Myrtles Plantation in Louisiana is often called one of the most haunted houses in America, a reputation rooted in a brutal history and a long list of alleged hauntings that continue to this day.
The Story Behind The Hauntings
According to the legend most closely tied to the property, one of the spirits said to linger here is Chloe, an enslaved girl who was forced into a relationship with the plantation’s owner, Clark Woodruff. Fearful of losing her position in the house, Chloe reportedly resorted to desperate measures involving a poisonous plant, an act that tragically led to the deaths of Woodruff’s children. She was later killed by other enslaved people on the plantation in the aftermath.
Historians have since disputed many of the specific details in this widely circulated version of the story, and much of it is considered more legend than documented fact. Still, the tale has become deeply woven into the plantation’s identity, and visitors continue reporting strange, unexplained experiences on the property to this day.
A Photo That Sparked Even More Questions
Adding to the mystery, a photograph taken of the plantation in the 1990s appeared to show the ghostly figure of an enslaved woman standing beside the house, an image that has only added to the location’s eerie reputation over the years.
Visitors Keep Coming Back
Despite, or perhaps because of, its unsettling history, Myrtles Plantation remains a popular stop for those drawn to ghost stories and Southern history alike. Many visitors describe the experience as genuinely eerie, from unexplained sounds to an undeniable feeling that they aren’t quite alone while walking through the halls.
Whether every detail of the legend is fact or folklore, Myrtles Plantation continues to hold its place as one of the most talked about haunted homes in the country.