Myrtles Plantation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Myrtles Plantation
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 Location in Louisiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 7747 U.S. 61, St. Francisville, Louisiana |
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| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1796 |
| Architectural style | Creole cottage |
| NRHP reference No. | 78001439 |
| Added to NRHP | September 6, 1978 |
The Myrtles Plantation is a historic home in St. Francisville, Louisiana. It was built long ago, in 1796, by a man named General David Bradford. In its early days, it was an antebellum plantation, where enslaved people were forced to work.
Today, the Myrtles is famous for being one of the most haunted places in America. It has been featured on many TV shows. The plantation is also on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it is an important part of American history.
Contents
History of the Plantation
The First Owners
The Myrtles Plantation was first built by General David Bradford in 1796. He originally called it "Laurel Grove." He lived there alone for a few years. After being pardoned by President John Adams for his part in an event called the Whiskey Rebellion, his family joined him.
After Bradford passed away in 1808, his wife Elizabeth ran the plantation. Later, her daughter Sara and son-in-law Clarke Woodruff took over. The Woodruffs had three children. Sadly, Sara and two of the children died from yellow fever, a dangerous illness.
The Stirling and Winter Families
In 1834, the plantation was sold to Ruffin Gray Stirling and his wife, Mary. They made the house much bigger and filled it with fancy furniture from Europe. They renamed the home "The Myrtles" because of the beautiful crape myrtle trees growing nearby.
The Myrtles survived the American Civil War. After the war, Mary's daughter Sarah and her husband, William Winter, lived at the plantation. In 1871, William Winter was tragically killed on the house's porch. The family faced hard times and eventually had to sell the plantation.
The 20th and 21st Centuries
The plantation had several different owners over the years. In the 1970s, new owners turned it into a bed and breakfast, where guests could stay overnight.
Today, the Myrtles is still open for tours and overnight stays. In 2014, a fire damaged a historic building on the property called the General's Store. Luckily, the main house was not harmed. The plantation remains a very popular tourist spot.
The House and Grounds
Architecture and Design
The Myrtles is a beautiful example of a Creole cottage, a style of house common in Louisiana. It has a very long porch, or veranda, that stretches 125 feet. The porch has a fancy cast-iron railing with a grape design.
The front doors are surrounded by special hand-painted stained glass. The glass has a French cross pattern, which some people believed would protect the house from evil. The roof has several dormers, which are windows that stick out from the roof.
Inside the House
The house has 22 rooms. The main entry hall is very grand. It has a huge crystal chandelier made by Baccarat that weighs over 300 pounds. The floors and most of the windows are the original ones from when the house was built.
The first floor has large parlors, which are like living rooms, a formal dining room, and a game room. These rooms have fancy marble fireplaces and detailed plaster designs on the ceilings.
The second floor has five bedrooms. The largest bedroom is called the Judge Clarke Woodruff Suite. The other four bedrooms are reached by a separate staircase.
The Plantation Grounds
The grounds of the Myrtles are centered around a large pond with a small island and a gazebo. The oldest building on the property is not the main house, but a smaller building now called the General's Store. This is where General Bradford lived while the main house was being built. Today, it serves as the gift shop and office.
There is also a restaurant in another building on the grounds. A large brick courtyard connects these buildings to the main house.
A Famous Haunted Place
The Myrtles is well-known for its ghost stories. For many years, it has been called one of America's most haunted homes. This reputation makes it a popular place for people interested in the paranormal.
The plantation offers special "Mystery Tours" at night. These tours explore the many ghost tales connected to the plantation's long history.
Featured on Television
Because of its spooky reputation, the Myrtles has been on many TV shows. In 2002, the show Unsolved Mysteries filmed an episode there about the hauntings.
Other shows like Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures have also investigated the plantation. It was also featured on the show Files of the Unexplained in 2024.
See also
In Spanish: Plantación Myrtles para niños
