The Breathtaking Haunted Plantations of Louisiana

Blending Legend and History

Louisiana is filled with history. Sometimes, you don’t have to leave New Orleans to find a chilling story from a scandalous past, but today we’re going to venture out. Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, LA, and The Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, LA, are two of Louisiana’s most haunted plantation homes. Today, these buildings not only house some of the most bone-chilling and history filled tours, but they will also take your breath away with their timeless beauty.

A Haunted History Tour of Oak Alley Plantation

A National Historic Landmark on the west bank of the Mississippi River in Vacherie, Louisiana, Oak Alley Plantation has stood the test of time. The ancient live oaks along the property frame a path to the main house and form a window into the past.

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Haunted Ghost Legends at Oak Alley Plantation:

Upon closing the house one evening following a private function, the Assistant House Manger, her daughter and tour guides were surprised to notice that the lamp in what is referred to as the lavender room was still on. The four ladies each remembered clearly that all but security system illumination had been turned off prior to their leaving the house and heading toward the parking lot. As they stood looking up in bewilderment at the light shining from the lavender room windows, they saw the shadowy figure of a lady closely resembling photos they had often seen of Mrs. Stewart, last resident owner of Oak Alley, gazing down at them from her pleasant bedroom lookout. The upstairs gallery lamps blinked once and all four took off toward their cars, losing no time in exiting the plantation grounds. It wasn’t until they were passing by the alley on River Road did they look at the house and see that all windows were dark and everything was as it should be.

Many claim to often feel and hear “things.” Not the least of which are the sights of billowing dust, empty chairs rocking in unison, things moving from table and desk tops, the sounds of crying from somewhere in the mansion, candlesticks flying across the room during a tour conducted by a guide, and the clear sounds of a horse drawn carriage driving up one of the plantation gravel roads, with nothing ever materializing.

A Visual Tour of the Grounds at Oak Alley

Haunted History Tour of The Myrtles Plantation

St. Francisville, Louisiana: a place of tranquil nights and cool breezes through strong oaks. When you walk around this town, there is a sense of history in the air. But the past and present truly come to life at The Myrtles Plantation.

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Haunted Ghost Legends at The Myrtles Plantation:

It is often reported that 10 murders occurred in the house, but historical records only indicate the murder of William Winter, who was shot by a stranger and after being shot, he staggered inside the house and died trying to climb the stairs, only making it to the 17th step. People still recount stories of hearing his dying footsteps to this day.

Some believe a woman wearing a green turban, named Chloe, haunts the plantation. She was reportedly a slave owned by Mark and Sara Woodruff. According the stories, Chloe was either forced into becoming the mistress of Mark Woodruff or was caught eavesdropping in on one of his private business conversations. After being caught, Chloe was punished by the removal of one of her ears, and she wore a green turban to hide it. Chloe baked a birthday cake containing extract of boiled and reduced oleander leaves, which are extremely poisonous, seeking revenge. To her demise, only Sara and her two daughters ate the cake, and all died from the poison. Chloe was then hung by the other slaves, and thrown into the Mississippi River.

As it was custom during the time, mirrors throughout the home were to be covered after a death. After the murder of the Woodruffs, one particular mirror was overlooked. The uncovered mirror reportedly trapped the spirits of Sara and her children after their untimely death, and these spirits are occasionally seen or leave handprints in the mirror.

Another haunting legend comes from an event during the Civil War. The house was ransacked by Union soldiers, and legend claims that three were killed in the house. Supposedly, there is a blood stain in a doorway, roughly the size of a human body, that will not (or would not) come clean.

Disclaimer: There is no record of the Woodruffs owning a slave named Chloe, Cleo, or any slaves. Sara, James, and Cornelia Woodruff were not killed by poisoning, but instead succumbed to yellow fever (between 1823-1824). Her daughter Octavia lived on.

A Visual Tour of the Grounds at Myrtles Plantation

Haunted New Orleans Tours that Will Take Your Breath Away

Livery Tours provides New Orleans Haunted Tours that are based on the histories of our city. We dig deep into the secrets and the rumors and give you all the facts, fictions and pure fantasies. Every building and monument in the Big Easy has at least two stories to tell. And we want to share them all with you.

From our walking tours to our swamp tours to our haunted tours of New Orleans, our goal is to share the stories that make this place one of the most memorable cities in the US.

Be A Local with us and experience the haunted histories of New Orleans that take our breath away on a daily basis. Book Now!

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