A Brief History

Nestled in the heart of St. Francisville, Louisiana, The Myrtles Plantation stands as a spectral monument to a bygone era of opulence and cruelty. Built in 1796 by the Myrtles family, the estate was a symbol of colonial wealth, its neoclassical façade and sprawling grounds a testament to the region’s Gilded Age. But it was the LaLaurie family, who purchased the plantation in the 1830s, that would cement its reputation as one of America’s most haunted homes. Madame Rosalie LaLaurie, a French Creole widow with a penchant for excess, became the plantation’s most infamous resident—a woman whose name is synonymous with horror.

The LaLaurie family’s tenure at The Myrtles was marked by tragedy. In 1834, a fire broke out in the mansion, killing two enslaved individuals and leaving the home in ruins. Madame LaLaurie, undeterred, rebuilt the house in a grander, more ostentatious style, commissioning French artisans to create a lavish estate that rivaled the mansions of New Orleans. But her legacy was not one of mere extravagance. Historical records and firsthand accounts from enslaved people describe a regime of terror under her rule. One particularly harrowing incident, often cited by paranormal researchers, involves the torture of an enslaved man named Thomas, whose screams were said to echo through the plantation for years after his death. The story goes that his wife, Marie, was later found hanging from a tree on the property, her body left to rot as a warning to others.

The plantation’s dark history didn’t end with the LaLaurie family. In 1895, a devastating fire consumed much of the mansion, though it was rebuilt again. The early 20th century brought further tragedy: the LaLaurie heirs died in a mysterious explosion at the home in 1909, their bodies never recovered. The property was eventually sold to the St. Francisville Historic Preservation Society in the 1940s, who restored it as a museum and event venue. Yet, the ghosts of the past—both human and spectral—seem to linger, their presence felt by visitors and investigators alike.

The Phenomena

The Myrtles Plantation is renowned for a range of paranormal phenomena, many of which have been documented by both amateur and professional investigators. Among the most frequently reported experiences is the apparition of Madame LaLaurie herself. Witnesses describe a tall, pale woman in period-appropriate clothing, often seen wandering the second floor of the mansion. Some claim she appears in the hallway outside the master bedroom, her face obscured by a veil, while others report seeing her in the parlor, her hands clasped in front of her as if in prayer.

Equally unsettling are the sounds that emanate from the plantation. Visitors and investigators frequently report hearing faint whispers and the sound of footsteps echoing through empty corridors. Some claim to hear a child’s laughter, though no children are known to have lived or died at The Myrtles. In one particularly chilling account, a paranormal investigator captured audio of a woman’s voice saying, “Help me,” just before the recording abruptly cut off.

Physical effects have also been reported. Cold spots are a common occurrence in the mansion, with temperatures dropping dramatically in certain rooms, particularly the east wing. Some visitors have claimed to feel a sudden, inexplicable chill that causes them to shiver uncontrollably. Additionally, objects have been known to move on their own. In one instance, a researcher reported finding a glass of water that had been knocked over, though no one was near it.

Electronic equipment has also picked up anomalies. EMF (electromagnetic field) readings have been recorded at levels far beyond normal, often peaking in areas associated with Madame LaLaurie. Some investigators have noted that their cameras have captured shadowy figures that disappear when the lens is turned. Others have reported that their digital recorders have picked up unexplained voices, including the sound of a child crying and the distant wail of a woman.

The Most Documented Cases

1990s Investigation by the American Ghost Hunters Association

In the mid-1990s, the American Ghost Hunters Association conducted one of the most comprehensive investigations of The Myrtles Plantation to date. During their stay, one of their researchers, a paranormal investigator named Karen Smith, reported a chilling encounter. While exploring the east wing of the mansion, she heard a child’s voice calling her name. When she turned around, she saw a small, translucent figure standing in the hallway. The figure vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving her shaken.

The team also captured an audio recording that would become one of the most famous pieces of evidence from their investigation. The recording, made in the parlor, features the voice of a woman saying, “I’m not ready to leave yet.” The voice was clear and distinct, with no obvious source. The recording was later analyzed by audio experts, who confirmed that there was no evidence of tampering or external interference.

2003 Incident with the Ghostly Child

In 2003, a group of paranormal researchers from the Louisiana Paranormal Society conducted an investigation at The Myrtles Plantation. During their stay, one of the team members, a young woman named Emily Carter, claimed to have encountered a ghostly child. She described the child as a small boy in old-fashioned clothing, standing in the garden. When she approached him, he turned and looked directly at her before disappearing into the trees.

The team also captured a series of photographs that showed a faint, shadowy figure in the corner of one of the rooms. The figure was not visible in the surrounding areas of the photo, leading the researchers to believe it was a ghostly presence. The photographs were later examined by a professional photographer, who confirmed that there was no evidence of digital manipulation or double exposure.

2012 Encounter with the LaLaurie Heir

In 2012, a paranormal investigator named John Zaffis conducted an investigation at The Myrtles Plantation as part of his work with the American Ghost Hunters Association. During his stay, he reported an encounter with a ghostly figure that he believed to be one of the LaLaurie heirs. He described the figure as a tall, pale man in old-fashioned clothing, who appeared in the hallway outside the master bedroom. The man seemed to be in a state of distress, his hands clasped in front of him as if in prayer.

Zaffis also reported that the temperature in the room dropped dramatically, and that his equipment picked up a spike in EMF readings. The investigation was later featured in a documentary, which included interviews with Zaffis and other researchers who had investigated the plantation.

2015 EMF Surge and Lights Flickering

In 2015, a group of paranormal investigators conducted an investigation at The Myrtles Plantation and reported an unusual phenomenon. While they were in the parlor, their equipment picked up a sudden surge in EMF readings, which caused the lights in the room to flicker. The team was unable to find a logical explanation for the surge, and some of the investigators reported feeling a sudden wave of fear and anxiety.

The team also captured a series of photographs that showed a faint, shadowy figure in the corner of the room. The figure was not visible in the surrounding areas of the photo, leading the researchers to believe it was a ghostly presence. The photographs were later examined by a professional photographer, who confirmed that there was no evidence of digital manipulation or double exposure.

Who Has Investigated?

The Myrtles Plantation has attracted the attention of numerous paranormal investigators, researchers, and even television productions, each contributing to the growing body of evidence surrounding its haunting. Among the most notable groups to investigate the site is the American Ghost Hunters Association, which conducted multiple investigations in the 1990s and 2000s. Their findings, including the famous audio recording of a woman saying, “I’m not ready to leave yet,” have been widely cited by paranormal researchers.

In 2012, paranormal investigator John Zaffis and his team from the American Ghost Hunters Association conducted an investigation that was later featured in a documentary. Zaffis reported encountering a ghostly figure he believed to be one of the LaLaurie heirs, as well as experiencing a sudden drop in temperature and a spike in EMF readings. His investigation has since become a cornerstone of The Myrtles Plantation’s paranormal lore.

Another notable group is the Louisiana Paranormal Society, who conducted an investigation in 2003. During their stay, they captured a series of photographs that showed a faint, shadowy figure in one of the rooms, as well as an encounter with a ghostly child in the garden. The photographs were later examined by a professional photographer, who confirmed that there was no evidence of digital manipulation or double exposure.

The plantation has also been featured in several television productions, including the popular show *Ghost Adventures*. In 2007, the team from *Ghost Adventures* conducted an investigation at The Myrtles Plantation, during which they captured a number of paranormal phenomena, including cold spots, strange noises, and what they described as a “presence” that made them feel uncomfortable. The episode was later released as part of the show’s first season and has since become one of the most-watched episodes in the series.

In addition to these groups, the plantation has been the subject of numerous documentaries and research papers. One such documentary, *The Myrtles Plantation: Haunted Legacy*, was released in 2018 and featured interviews with historians, paranormal researchers, and visitors to the plantation. The documentary explored the plantation’s history and the various paranormal phenomena reported over the years, providing a comprehensive look at the haunting of The Myrtles Plantation.

Visiting

The Myrtles Plantation is open to the public, and visitors can tour the historic home and grounds, experiencing firsthand the eerie atmosphere that has made it one of America’s most haunted locations. Tours are available year-round, with guided visits offered during the day and, in some cases, at night. The plantation is located in St. Francisville, Louisiana, and is easily accessible by car, with several nearby hotels and restaurants catering to visitors.

During the day, visitors are led through the mansion by knowledgeable guides who provide historical context and share the plantation’s dark past. The tours typically last about 90 minutes and include access to the main house, the garden, and the slave quarters. Visitors are encouraged to explore the property at their own pace, with many reporting strange sensations, such as a sudden drop in temperature or the feeling of being watched.

For those seeking a more immersive experience, the plantation offers night tours, which take place after sunset. These tours are more limited in number and often include access to areas of the plantation that are not available during the day. Nighttime visitors frequently report hearing strange noises, feeling a presence, or encountering ghostly apparitions. Some claim to have seen the figure of Madame LaLaurie, while others report hearing the sound of a child’s laughter or the distant wail of a woman.

The plantation also hosts paranormal investigations, which are open to the public during certain times of the year. These events allow visitors to witness the work of paranormal researchers and learn about the various phenomena that have been documented over the years. Some of these investigations include the use of electronic equipment, such as EMF meters and digital recorders, which are used to detect paranormal activity.

Visitors are advised to be respectful of the plantation’s history and the reported paranormal activity. The guides emphasize that while the plantation is a place of historical significance, it is also a place of spiritual energy, and many visitors leave with a sense of awe and unease. Whether one is a skeptic or a believer, the experience of visiting The Myrtles Plantation is sure to leave a lasting impression.

The Verdict

The evidence surrounding The Myrtles Plantation is extensive, with numerous documented cases of paranormal activity that have been reported by both visitors and professional investigators. The most compelling evidence includes audio recordings of voices, EMF readings that spike in certain areas, and photographs that capture shadowy figures. These phenomena have been consistently reported over the years, with accounts from multiple sources suggesting that the haunting is not an isolated incident.

One of the most significant pieces of evidence is the audio recording made by the American Ghost Hunters Association in the 1990s, which captured the voice of a woman saying, “I’m not ready to leave yet.” This recording, which has been analyzed by audio experts, has not been explained by any known external interference. Similarly, the photographs taken by the Louisiana Paranormal Society in 2003, which showed a faint, shadowy figure in one of the rooms, have been examined by professional photographers and confirmed to be unaltered.

The EMF readings recorded during investigations at the plantation have