5 Things You Didn’t Know About America’s Haunted Plantations

This is a guest contribution from Vanessa Bermudez. Learn more about her in the About the Contributor section below.

There are plenty of haunted hot spots throughout the United States, but some locations have a deeper history that expands beyond their paranormal instances. These five plantations are believed to be inhabited by lingering spirits, yet they also have some intriguing information about their occupants (both past and present) that ought to be shared.

Myrtles Plantation

Housed in the third most haunted state in the country, the Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana is said to be one of the most haunted locations in America. Originally called Laurel Grove, David Bradford built the plantation in 1796, where he hid out until he was pardoned for his part in the Whiskey Rebellion by president John Adams. Over the years, the Myrtle Plantation saw many deaths, but the most well-known legend involves Chloe, reportedly the ghost of a slave that died during the 1800s.

Bulloch Hall

Located in Roswell, Georgia, Bulloch Hall was home to the mother of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States. The house was built in 1893 by slaves of Major James Stephens Bulloch, and it’s rumored that a young slave girl died on the property and still makes her presence known by flickering lights on and off. Other apparitions of Civil War era soldiers have also been seen on the grounds, and there are even Roswell ghost tours that take people to Bulloch Hall at night, trying to get a glimpse of any paranormal phenomenon.

Mount Vernon

Settled along the banks of the Potomac River in Virginia, this plantation was once home to the first president George Washington. He inherited the estate in 1754, and used the farm at Mount Vernon as a prominent site of cotton, tobacco, and industrial hemp cultivation. Some people believe the former president’s spirit still roams the property, most notably for his lingering presence in the bedroom where he died. Washington’s own nephew, Josiah Quincy III, said he saw his uncle’s ghost during a stay at Mount Vernon in 1806.

Biltmore Estate

Known for its splendor and size, the Biltmore is the largest privately owned home in America. The impressive estate resides in Asheville, North Carolina, and was completed in 1895 after six years of construction. George Washington Vanderbilt II pioneered the development of the home, and died in 1914 as a result of appendectomy complications. There have been reports of a dark figure in the library, a place that George frequented during his time in the home. Although there may be some ghostly activity from time to time, that doesn’t stop visitors from flooding into the estate. Over a million tourists travel to the attraction each year, and the Biltmore’s winery is the most visited in America.

Hurricane Mills Plantation

Located in Tennessee, the Hurricane Mills Plantation was built in the 19th century and is believed to be the former sight of a Civil War battle. It’s assumed that there are 19 confederate soldiers buried on the plantation grounds, with a cemetery not far from the house. The ranch was home to famed country music star Loretta Lynn for over 30 years, where she and her family experienced several unexplained occurrences. Several people in the house have seen apparitions of confederate soldiers, heard sounds emanating from the “slave pit” beneath the front porch, and Lynn herself has reported seeing the ghost of a grieving woman on more than one occasion.

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About the Contributor

Vanessa Bermudez is a freelance writer based in Brooklyn, New York. She’s the co-founder/editor of Modern Girls, a collaborative digital space featured in Girl Gaze Project and Teen Vogue.