St. Francisville
The Myrtles
A plantation house begun in 1796 by David Bradford, who fled after the Whiskey Rebellion; the inn bills itself as one of America's most haunted homes.
- Built
- 1796NRHP nomination: the house was built in two halves; the first (western six bays) in 1796 (its summary gives 1797), with an 1850s renovation under the Stirlings.
- Architect
- General David Bradford (builder)
- Type
- Inn
- Rooms
- 21
- Credentials
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
The story
General David Bradford, who fled federal troops after the Whiskey Rebellion, arrived at Bayou Sara in 1796 and built the first half of the house; the NRHP nomination says he called the plantation ‘Richland’ (the inn’s history says ‘Laurel Grove’). His widow sold it in 1826 to Clark Woodruff, who sold it in 1834 to Ruffin G. Stirling; the Stirlings renamed it The Myrtles, renovated the house in the 1850s and held it until 1894. The inn’s history describes it as a former cotton and indigo plantation. Today it has 21 guest rooms in the main house, garden rooms and cottages, plus a restaurant and daily tours.
The ghost story
The Myrtles bills itself as 'One of America's Most Haunted Homes' and runs evening mystery tours. Its own timeline credits a former owner's book, The Myrtles Plantation: The True Story of America's Most Haunted House, and a widely shared photo said to show the ghost 'Chloe'. These are legends, not documented history.
Source: themyrtles.com
Good to know
- Address: 7747 U.S. Highway 61, St. Francisville, LA 70775
Sources (4)
Last verified October 2026. Details change; confirm with the inn before you book.