The history of the South will always provide us with tales of romance and mystery.
The saga of the Antebellum South and a lifestyle that will never be forgotten lives on at the grand mansion known as The Myrtles Plantation high on the hill in St. Francisville.
Whiskey Dave
The drama of The Myrtles began in 1796 when General David Bradford, also known as "Whiskey Dave"of the Whiskey Rebellion, fled the United States to avoid arrest and imprisonment. Bradford arrived at Bayou Sara, then a Spanish Colony, and obtained a land grant of 650 acres from the Baron de Corondelet to begin a new life. In 1820 The Myrtles was sold to his son-in-law, Judge Clarke Woodruff, who remodeled the mansion.
The Stirling Era
Fourteen years later the house was sold to Mr. Ruffin Stirling who completed the mansion in the grandeur that one can see today. The 125-foot long veranda is noted for its ornamental ironwork. The entrance foyer contains some of the finest examples of faux-bois and open pierced freizework in existence today. The French chandelier is Baccarat crystal and weighs more than 300 pounds. The stained glass entrance, original to the house, was hand-painted, etched and patterned after the French cross to ward off evil. The ladies and gentlemen's parlors are mirrored reflections of one another. These two rooms are identical in size and exhibit magnificent open pierced freizework molding. The Carrara marble mantles grace the north and south walls of the parlors.
The dining and gaming rooms, important to plantation life, are downstairs. The former provided a place to hold festive dinners and to discuss events of the day; the latter offered a restful and intimate atmosphere for games of chance.
You're Invited
The Myrtles Plantation invites you to step into the past for a visit of antebellum splendor. Relax in a giant rocker on the wide veranda or stroll through our historic grounds laced with Live Oak trees, Crepe Myrtle trees, azaleas and other flora and fauna typical of antebellum plantations.
We hope the history has piqued your curiosity and that you will plan a visit with us to learn more of the history and receive and introduction into the mystery and intrigue that surrounds "One of America's Most Haunted Homes!"
