Myrtle’s Plantation – Story by Robert Miller

Myrtle’s Plantation

I visited Myrtles Plantation a few years ago while I was in Louisiana for work. I had heard about it forever, so when I realized I was close enough to go, I figured, why not? I am not really a ghost tour person, but I do like historic places, and that house definitely has a lot of history.

During the tour, we were walking down one of the hallways where that famous mirror is. The guide was telling the usual story about how people claim handprints show up on it sometimes. I remember thinking it was interesting, but also the kind of story every old place seems to have.

I almost took a photo. I actually had my phone out. But I was so distracted by what I was seeing, not being a big believer in the lore around the place, I didn’t snap a picture, something I’ve regretted. A few people in my group had taken photos, and I had given my info and asked them to send me them if they caught anything.

That never happened.

While we were standing there, I glanced at the mirror again, mostly just out of curiosity, and I noticed what looked like smudges toward the upper part of the glass. Nothing dramatic. Just lighter marks that did not quite match the rest of the aging on the mirror.

Then it clicked that they looked like handprints.

Not fresh fingerprints, as someone had just touched it. More like impressions. Faint, cloudy. And honestly, higher than where most people would naturally put their hands.

While I was trying to figure that out, something else caught my attention in the reflection. It looked like someone was standing slightly behind me, off to my right. Not close enough to touch me, but close enough that I feel like I should have noticed them.

So I turned around.

Nobody there.

And I mean nobody. The rest of the tour group had already moved a few steps down the hall. If someone had been that close, I would have had to pass them, and I definitely did not.

When I looked back at the mirror, the marks did not seem as obvious anymore. Still kind of there, but softer. It could have been the lighting. Could have been the angle. I really do not know.

I did not say anything to the guide. I was not scared exactly. Just confused, and I did not want to make a scene or sound like I was trying to turn it into a ghost story.

I also never went back for the photo. Funny enough, I kind of regret that, but at the same time, I am not sure a picture would have shown anything anyway.

I am not claiming it was paranormal. Old mirrors do strange things with reflections. Lighting shifts. Your brain fills in gaps sometimes. There are plenty of normal explanations.

But I will say this. I have toured a lot of historic homes, hotels, and museums. Never had a moment quite like that one.

And every time someone brings up Myrtles Plantation, that is the first thing I think about.