The 5 Most Haunted Plantations in Louisiana

As we embark on a thrilling paranormal journey through Louisiana’s somewhat dark past, we invite you to explore the chilling stories and ghostly encounters that have captivated visitors and history enthusiasts alike.

The magnificent plantations that dot the state’s landscape are a testament to its rich cultural heritage, but also serve as a haunting reminder of the enslaved workers who once toiled on these lands.

In this article, we tread carefully through the eerie tales and supernatural experiences that surround five of Louisiana’s most haunted plantations. Join us as we uncover the hidden secrets and pay our respects to the souls who still linger within the walls of these haunted plantation homes.

Myrtles Plantation, nestled in the picturesque town of St. Francisville, is widely regarded as one of America’s most haunted sites. This striking antebellum mansion, built in 1796, carries with it a legacy of both beauty and tragedy.

As we explore its haunted history, we must be mindful of the pain and suffering experienced by the enslaved workers who once lived and labored here.

The most famous spectral resident of Myrtles Plantation is Chloe, a former slave whose tragic story has been passed down through generations. Visitors have reported glimpses of Chloe’s apparition, as well as the inexplicable laughter of children echoing through the halls.

However, her story serves as a solemn reminder of the harsh realities faced by enslaved people during that time.

Related: Louisiana’s Most Haunted Hotels

Another chilling tale from Myrtles Plantation revolves around the ghost of William Winter, an attorney who met a violent end on the front porch in 1871. His spirit is said to retrace his final moments, climbing the stairs only to collapse and perish on the 17th step.

Guests have also reported unexplained footsteps, cold spots, and mysterious orbs appearing in photographs.

Today, the plantation operates as a bed and breakfast, providing an opportunity for visitors to learn about its complex history and experience its ghostly happenings firsthand. [BOOK A STAY]

Magnolia Plantation in Derry is a site steeped in history and shrouded in mystery, with numerous paranormal encounters and ghostly sightings reported by those who have visited.

It is said that the plantation has been subjected to voodoo curses placed upon its owners over the years, contributing to its reputation as one of the most haunted locations in Louisiana.

One of the most unsettling tales involves a room in the main house known as “the Dying Room,” where several residents are believed to have chosen to spend their final moments. This room is also connected to the story of a Union Major who, according to legend, was poisoned and driven insane by Confederate soldiers.

Some visitors claim to have seen the Major’s face in the window of the Dying Room, while others have witnessed the kitchen door opening on its own.

On full moon nights, eerie mist-shrouded entities have been spotted crawling around the kitchen on all fours.

The pervasive stories surrounding the Dying Room have attracted paranormal investigators, including the Ghost Adventures team from the Travel Channel, who have reported experiencing voices, knocking sounds, and a woman-shaped figure made of smoke during their investigations.

During the war, captured Confederate soldiers were held in the former slave cabins on the plantation. Many of these soldiers perished and were buried in shallow graves on the property.

Visitors have reported hearing ghostly whispers of living people’s names and sightings of wandering spirits around the plantation.

While some accounts suggest that slaves at Magnolia Plantation were treated well, there are also stories and evidence to the contrary. Instances of torture and abuse are said to have occurred, with leg stocks used as a form of punishment and slaves left to starve and endure humiliation.

The spirits of those who did not survive are believed to remain on the property, possibly seeking retribution.

Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie is famous for its breathtaking canopy of live oaks leading to the front entrance, but it is also known as one of the most haunted plantations in Louisiana.

Construction began in 1837 under the ownership of Jacques Telesphore Roman and took two years to complete. Over the past 150 years, the plantation has had numerous owners and countless paranormal experiences.

Among the many ghostly sightings are two distinct women believed to be the spirits of Jacques Roman’s wife, Celine, and their daughter, Louise. One notable apparition appeared in a photograph of an empty room, where Celine seems to be sitting in a chair.

Celine’s ghost has also been spotted inside the house and on the grounds, with some people claiming she is the “Lady in Black” seen riding a horse under the oak canopy or on the second-floor balcony. Encounters with the Lady in Black are quite common and frequent at Oak Alley.

Staff members have reported that the ghost of Oak Alley’s last caretaker, Mrs. Stewart, still lingers on the property, often seen observing people from an upstairs room.

Mysterious misty apparitions appear and vanish suddenly, while other paranormal phenomena include chairs rocking on their own, objects moving or flying across rooms, and unexplained sounds of crying.

Established in 1787, Destrehan Plantation is the oldest documented plantation home in the lower Mississippi Valley and has a long history of ghostly encounters.

Employees, their families, and visitors alike have reported sightings of various apparitions, with Stephen Henderson’s spirit being the most frequently seen.

Henderson was married to Elenore Destrehan, whose family owned the property until the early 1900s. He was also a friend of the infamous pirate Jean Lafitte, and although Lafitte never visited the home, a legend persists that he buried treasure on the plantation grounds, attracting treasure hunters even after the house was abandoned in 1958.

Henderson and Elenore, who were married for only a year before her death, are both buried in a nearby cemetery.

Annette Roper, the daughter of plantation employees in 1984, reported seeing a transparent form in a chair that she couldn’t touch. She later spotted the ghostly figure in a second-floor window and walking across the driveway.

Destrehan Plantation has been ranked fifth among the 10 Most Haunted Places in the New Orleans area, with several spirits reported to roam the property, including that of Jean Lafitte.

In June 2006, during the plantation’s Spring Festival, Australian mystic Victoria Maison claimed to have seen a ghost on the stairway at the back of the plantation, even capturing the specter on film.

The plantation’s haunted reputation draws many visitors, particularly during the Halloween season, as people are increasingly fascinated by the prospect of encountering the supernatural.

South Louisiana is steeped in a rich heritage and an active interest in the paranormal. Among the many stories and sightings, Houmas House Plantation and Gardens has been the site of two particularly significant and mysterious events.

Firstly, the Legend of The Gentlemen revolves around the majestic oaks on the property. In the days before the levee, these trees formed a grand alley that welcomed visitors from the River Road.

John Burnside, the owner in the late 1800s, referred to the oaks as “The Gentlemen.” After the Great Flood of 1927, the construction of new and higher levees resulted in several of these trees being cut down.

Locals believe that the spirits of the workers who perished during the levee construction now inhabit the remaining ancient oaks, which have taken on a twisted, mournful appearance.

Secondly, La Petite Fille (The Little Girl) is a frequently sighted presence at Houmas House. During the renovation of the property in 2003, workers reported seeing a young girl in a blue dress with dark eyes and brunette hair.

She would often be seen descending the staircase or in the large central hall, only to vanish when approached.

Although her true identity remains a mystery, there are two potential candidates from the plantation’s history. One is the young daughter of Col. John Preston, who fell ill and passed away in 1848, and the other is the daughter of Col. William Porcher Miles and his wife, Harriet, who lost their daughter to illness in 1900.

Today, Houmas House is a thriving tourist attraction, and visitors often report sightings of the little girl in blue.

If you happen to encounter her during your visit, you might try asking her name and solve the mystery of her identity.

As we conclude our journey through Louisiana’s most haunted plantations, let us remain mindful of the complex and often painful history that has shaped these remarkable properties.

We must approach these stories with empathy and understanding, honoring the memories of the enslaved workers who endured unimaginable hardships, as well as the spirits that continue to captivate our imaginations.

By acknowledging their resilience and preserving their stories, we ensure that the true history of these plantations is never forgotten.