myrtle plantation tour

Myrtles Plantation

Originally called “Laurel Grove,” Myrtles Plantation was an antebellum plantation built in 1796 by General David Bradford, who resided there until he was needed for the Whiskey Rebellion in 1799. Over time, the plantation was sold and passed from family to family.

Steeped with history and folklore and built above Tunica Indian Burial grounds, Myrtles Plantation continues to be a popular tourist attraction due to its association with paranormal activity, which has been featured in popular medias.

Now, Myrtles Plantation is a bed and breakfast with a full service restaurant, offering tours for visitors to experience one of America’s most haunted homes.

Read more about the history here .

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Myrtles Plantation: The South’s Spookiest House

Tucked away among the giant oak trees dripping with Spanish moss in Louisiana’s Plantation Country is “one of America’s most haunted homes.”   The 10-acre, 18th-century Myrtles Plantation , featured in Traveler’s 2008 Stay List Traveler’s 2008 Stay List , charms visitors with rocking chairs on the cast iron porch and cozy French furnishings in its B & B.   But all the Southern charm can’t detract from the eerie feeling people get as they wander around the mansion and grounds. Rumor has it, ghosts abound.

The most popular ghost to haunt the Myrtles is Chloe. According to the legend, in the 1800s Judge Clark Woodruff, the plantation’s owner, had an affair with Chloe, the household servant. When Judge Woodruff began having an affair with another girl, Chloe feared that she would be banned from the house and forced to work in the fields with the other slaves.  

To prove herself worthy of remaining in the house, Chloe devised a plan. One night, she baked a cake and in the mix included some poisonous crushed oleander leaves, hoping to make his daughters sick so that she would have to nurse them back to health and secure herself a spot in the house. Her plan backfired, however, when the amount of poison caused the children to die. Fearing that they would be accused of murder by association, Chloe’s fellow slaves dragged her from bed that night, hanged her, then threw her body in the river. Some say that Chloe has appeared in their photos from the plantation and others hear the young girls laughing and playing at the Myrtles today.

You can hear these legends and others on a tour of the Myrtles. A walk through the house and stories about the history are offered on a daily basis. The Mystery Tours are held every Friday and Saturday evening, and guests sit around with a guide who tells about their personal experiences at the haunted mansion.  

And today at 6 p.m., tickets will go on sale for the Halloween Mystery Tours, to be held both tonight and Saturday night.   Tickets are $10 and will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis at the plantation.

The Myrtles Plantation is located at 7747 U.S. Hwy 61, St. Francisville, LA, 70775.

Photo: Courtesy of Becky Pitzer , via flickr

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• Crescent City Tours > Blog > Crescent City Tours > Myrtles Plantation: The Ultimate Fact Sheet

Myrtles Plantation: The Ultimate Fact Sheet

For those of you who didn’t grow up in the south, you might have heard of plantations but have not really known how they came about. Originally plantations were farms specializing in cash crops growing things like cotton, cannabis, coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar cane, opium, sisal, oil seeds, oil palms, fruits, and rubber trees.

The Myrtles Plantation is just one of many scattered across the US and has held many interesting facts over the years since 1796 when the plantation first began.

Here Are Some Interesting Facts About the Myrtles Plantation

What did the myrtles plantation grow.

The plantation grew an unsurprising amount of cotton but also indigo. The indigo plant could be used as a natural resource for blue dye that was seen in art or textiles; this dye has been known to be used as early as 1600 BC by India and Egypt. Today it is very rare to find any real indigo-stained clothing.

What kind of forestry surrounds the property?

True to the southern nature, The Myrtles Plantation has gorgeous Oak trees and Spanish moss along with 10- acres of stunning grounds including gardens and ponds.

What kind of historical artifacts can be found here?

The Myrtles Plantation brings you back in time with a collection of historical artifacts, including antique furniture, artwork, and family heirlooms, giving visitors a glimpse into the past and the lives of the people who lived there.

Is this place haunted?

According to many visitors, and those that work there, yes. In fact, the Myrtles plantation is rated one of the most haunted places in America. One example of this is The Mirror Legend: A well-recognized feature at the Myrtles is a large mirror in the house, known as the “haunted mirror.” According to legend, if you stare into the mirror, you might see the spirits of those who once lived in the house, or handprints mysteriously appearing on the glass.

Current Owners and Preservation

Over the years, the Myrtles Plantation has undergone many renovations and preservation efforts to maintain its historical integrity. These efforts have helped to maintain the iconic landmark for future generations to come. Today the property is owned by the Moss family who are a big part of keeping the plantation updated.

Who originally owned the plantation?

The Myrtles Plantation has changed hands multiple times throughout its history. It was initially built by General David Bradford and was later purchased by the Woodruff family, then passed off to Ruffin Gray Stirling then Oran D. Brooks, and then Harrison Milton Williams, and after that several more owners held onto the property until the 1970s when James and Frances Kermeen Myers purchased it. Needless to say, running a plantation ain’t cheap.

Has the plantation ever been on TV?

The Myrtles Plantation has been featured in numerous publications, TV shows, and documentaries. It has gained widespread recognition not only for its haunting stories but also for its historical value. Some films and TV shows that showcase the plantation are The Long Hot Summer and A Taste of Louisiana with Chef John Folse & Co. It’s practically famous.

What can you expect inside?

The house is so big, it has 22 rooms across two stories. Complete with elegance, the entry hall extends the house’s length with faux-bois, open pierced frieze work molding, and a 300-pound French Baccarat crystal chandelier. Among many other amazing touches, the house still holds original flooring and windows are predominant throughout. On the second floor, you can find five bedrooms, one of which, and unsurprisingly the biggest was The Judge Clark Woodruff Suite.

Architecture of The House

The Myrtles sits atop a hill and provides a clapboard exterior. Built in the Creole cottage style, reminiscent of 19th-century Louisiana plantation houses. The original construction in 1796 featured six bays and three dormers on the roof up until the mid-1850s when the house was extended south, nearly doubling in size, and increased to nine bays with a new double door entrance.

What if you get hungry?

Restaurant 1796 is on the plantation grounds and it’s delicious. They serve dinner seven days a week and brunch on Saturday and Sunday. The menu has items like hearth grilled cornbread and steak tartare. Don’t forget to try one of their mouth-watering desserts.

Some Tea on General David Bradford

The Myrtles Plantation was built by General David Bradford in 1796.  He was a well- known lawyer, deputy attorney general and businessman of Washington County, Pennsylvania; but in 1794 Bradford was forced to leave his home. Why? Some might say due to “whiskey business” as some others called him “Whiskey Dave,” General Bradford was wanted for treason for his role in the Whiskey Rebellion.

How many people visit every year?

The Myrtles Plantation is home to over 60,000 visitors from near and far every year.

Voila! all the facts you could ever want of our beloved Myrtles plantation. Make sure to check out the place of mystery, history and charm.

Crescent City Tours offers custom private tours to The Myrtles.

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Myrtles Plantation Tour

• Guided or self-guided tour
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off (if option selected)
• Food and drinks
• 7747 US-61, St Francisville, LA 70775, USA Departure Point: The Myrtles Plantation Address: 7747 US Highway 61 PO Box 1100 St. Francisville, LA 70775 Dates: See Availability
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

• ldp132024 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Not Actual History How interesting that the only enslaved ghost was supposedly murdered by black people after she murdered white children... This is a kitchy plantation chique tourist trap. If your goal is fun Gone with the Wind spooky vibes.. fine. But there is no knowledge or history to be gained, just people trying to make money off gullibility. Read more Written March 23, 2024
• kecsparker 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Mystery tour Beautiful location. Would like the tour to had gone on to the grounds instead of just in the house. Spent a long time in each room and it was hot in the house. Read more Written March 20, 2024
• amistretta09 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Little getaway Beautiful place. Great tour. Enjoyed our meal at Restaurant 1796. The steak was amazing. Would love to visit again. Read more Written March 19, 2024
• donqueline 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great customer service and very informative Sharon is a fantastic guide! She was very informative. The plantation is kept in pristine condition. Read more Written March 19, 2024
• Hrager87 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles So excited to finally go! I've been wanting to visit this place since I can remember. My five year old and I were traveling back from Florida to Texas, and we stopped by on the last leg of our trip. We stayed for both the historical and mystery tour, and thoroughly enjoyed exploring the grounds and eating at the restaurant. I cannot wait to come back for a second visit, only this time, we want to spend the night! Such a beautiful property with an amazingly interesting history, And our guide for the tours was great. Super knowledgeable, friendly and shared ghost photos with us. Her name is Sharon! :) Read more Written March 19, 2024
• drbobxyz999 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Dinner was great at 1796, evening tour very entertaining My son and I were in St Francisville over the weekend, we had a great dinner at 1796 at the Myrtles. The evening tour of the house was informative and fun, Read more Written March 19, 2024
• hannahlohse83 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Beautiful and Entertaining We only went for the evening tour but it was full of interesting stories of all the ghosts that still reside there. Our tour guide Makalya was incredible! Read more Written March 13, 2024
• whitehouse37194 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fun time!! Enjoyed our overnight stay! Breakfast was good and included in the stay. Bed was creaky and only drawback The staff (including Chloe) were friendly and gracious. Will definitely go back!! Read more Written March 12, 2024
• drumline992608 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Awesome experience Me and my girlfriend went to the plantation for a regular tour and then the after dark tour. Staff and tour guide was awesome and learned pretty cool information. In the after dark tour was a pretty cool paranormal experience. Me and my girlfriend both got our shirts tugged while walking. 10/10 would recommend anyone who is into paranormal stuff to visit. Read more Written February 28, 2024
• mfaile2293 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing tour!!!! So ms. Rainy gave us a tour of the property. It was the best experience I have had during a tour. She was kind, very smart about the history of the property, and just overall a blast! My boyfriend and I had an amazing time getting to know stories of the past. Read more Written February 24, 2024
• vl56pa 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Tour not to miss Exceeded expectations. We enjoyed a wonderful docent, lots of history and a beautiful plantation. Enjoyed dinner at 1796, on the grounds, as well. Read more Written February 23, 2024
• Laura K 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Cool and spooky This is the third time I’ve stayed and never disappoints. Rooms nice and check in smooth, only negative was the 5 course meal at the restaurant this time.. def not good. Definitely a psychic experience in the doll room where I slept ALONE! Didn’t see anything but horrific dreams and we heard footsteps on the stairs! Read more Written February 19, 2024
• j0shua0411 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Had a great time This is my third time visiting the plantation. And just like the other two times. It was an amazing experience! Will definitely be coming back again! Read more Written February 19, 2024
• Freedom35348031039 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Beautiful Place to Relax Beautifly appointed room next to a lovely duck pond. The Ghost tour was fun and we really enjoyed our visit. Read more Written February 13, 2024
• ebr0ussard 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Myrtle History Tour Our School had a fantastic History Tour at The Myrtle Plantation. Our tour guide was knowledgeable, courteous and professional. She took us back in time to the 1800's. Please visit this amazing Plantation full of history and wonder. Read more Written January 25, 2024

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Myrtles Plantation Tour provided by The Myrtles Plantation

Evening Tours

Our Evening Mystery tours are conducted Sundays - Thursdays at 7pm, and Friday & Saturday evenings at 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00pm. These guided tours take place through the downstairs six rooms of the main home and focus on the history, mystery and folklore of the property and are an hour long. Evening tours often sell out and we recommend buying tickets ahead of time.

Restaurant 1796 would like to inform you that from January 4th, 2022 on we will officially launch Resy, our new reservation system. Please click the link to secure a booking or use the reservations tab on the website. Thanks!

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Waccamaw Lady Plantation River Tours

1950 Wachesaw Road, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576    843-446-5826

Description About Waccamaw Lady Plantation River Tours

Plantation River Tours departs from Wacca Wache Marina in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, and takes its guests on scenic boat tours along historic plantations of South Carolina’s beautiful Lowcountry rivers. On your tour, you will see rice plantations, trunk gates, slave cabins, moss-laden oak trees, alligators, eagles, and osprey, and you will see transit yachts on the Intracoastal Waterway!

The tour will be narrated by a local historian who will educate you on the Rice Plantations’ history, mystery, and legends. The Plantation River Tour is on a 60-foot Pontoon Boat named the Waccamaw Lady, which features shaded seating and clean restrooms on board. The Waccamaw Lady is also handicapped accessible.  The Plantation River Tour costs $35 for adults, $25 for kids ages 6 to 12, and the tour is free for children 5 and under!

Plantation River Tours also offers an Airboat Tour! Waccamaw Cooter Airboat Tours takes you along the Waccamaw, Black, and Pee Dee Rivers for an unforgettable experience. You’ll find yourself up close to beautiful creatures like alligators and osprey and in canals where no other boat could take you.

Private Charters are also available upon request.

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