Magnolia Plantation

Note: This entry is in the process of being amended. I recently learned some details are not accurate. I hope to have the problem fixed soon.

Jean Baptiste LeComte II received Spanish and French lad grants in the mid-1700s. Buildings began to erect in the 1800s. However it wasn’t until 1830 Magnolia Plantation saw it’s first residents. Jean’s son Ambroise and his wife Julia Buard and began turning the property in to large-scale cotton production. Using slave labor, they converted 2,000 acres wooded area in to huge cotton crops. Their profits allowed them to expand to three plantations using Magnolia as their home base. Most of Magnolia’s structures which include a blacksmith shop, a plantation store, a former slave hospital, eight brick cabins and a gin barn date between 1835 to 1850. The slave hospital housed the owners when the main house was burned by retreating Union soldiers during the Civil War in 1897. The house that stands today is a recreation of the original.

Magnolia remained a source for cotton for over a century. It was considered exceptional because of the farming technology, such as the cotton picker tractors and two cotton gins (both steam- and animal-powered) and a rare 11 by 30-foot wooden screw cotton press. Ambroise and Julia’s daughter Ursula and her husband Matthew took over the plantation shortly after their marriage in 1852.

The plantation was the center of a community of Creoles of color and blacks who lived and worked on the plantation as tenant farmers and laborers. However, treatment of the slave laborers was not always good. The basement was used for curing meat. In the 19th Century, a slave overseer brought slaves there to punish and torture them. Some rebelled, killing and curing him. No one knows if he was ever served to his compatriots. Leg stocks still stand on the property as a reminder of the humiliations, starvations and public punishments. Escaped slaves were allegedly hunted down. The eight brick cabins were a rare masonry slave village. Two slave families lived in each building, sometimes up to 10 people in each unit. During the Civil War, the slave quarters were used to house Confederate prisoners, up to twenty-five in each. Some soldiers died from suffocation.

Many ghosts are said to plague the property. Neighbors say they still hear the murdered overseer’s screams and feel his icy presence. Enslaved blacksmiths would incorporate hidden voodoo symbols on Christian crosses used as LeComte grave markers. The slaves often casted evil wishes on their oppressive masters using voodoo. In the main house, there is a room dubbed “The Dying Room”. It is said that many of Magnolia’s residents went to this room to die. This room also housed a Union Major who was slowly poisoned and driven to madness by his Confederate prisoners. Eyewitnesses have reported seeing a man’s distorted face appear in the window and during full moons, the kitchen door opens and misty things crawls around on their hands and knees.

Confederate soldiers who died in the slave cabins are said to be buried in shallow graves surrounding them though no one has ever did a thorough search. It is believed they whisper the names of the living. Sometimes even attempts to possess them in order to get the revenge they seek. Other ghostly apparitions and disembodied voices are often seen and heard on the property. Motion detectors are often triggered without a known reason.

Magnolia Lane Plantation has appeared on Scariest Places on Earth and Ghost Hunters. Tonight, it will investigated by the Ghost Adventures team. What will they find in "The Dying Room"? Will it’s voodoo enriched history and their aggressive nature bring forth something unexpected? Watch Ghost Adventures tonight on the Travel Channel to find out.

Comments

erica said…
Hi my name is erica jones I am 13 years old wen I first heard of this was on ghost adventure I watch it nd since the past 5 years iv did numerous reports on slavery and the under ground rail road I instantly got hook on it I mean the stuff that I seen on that episode was soo astounding to me but since I know a little history on this astounding place I don't think I can stop trying to find more and more facts about this place and out of ALL the reports I have done I have never heard facts and details on slavery out of all the books I have read to me I just basically fall in love with history on slavery and stuff but since I have read stuff about this place I have learned more stuff now that I can put in some of my reports but I just wonted to thank you guys soo much for some of that new knowledge you have give me!! ;)
Anonymous said…
Pardon me, My Dear but your reasearch is just slightly askew. It seems you've confused Magnolia Lane Plantation in Bridge City with Magnolia Plantation way up in Derry, Louisiana.
Another thing, It's quite upsetting to see all the silly commentary from the Fox's "SPOE" and Ghost adventurers popping up all over blogs, FB and twitter. Hell I've even seen paparazzi style photos shot from the front hedgerows of Maglane and posted on flickr like a celebrity was murdered there or something.
You guys are

NONE of that ridiculous crap spewed by that redheaded scottish idiot ever happened. On SPOE, He actually said "magnolia lane is an evil place" and something to the effect of "confederate prisoners had their arms chopped off then wandered off into the woods till they died" When I first saw the show 10 or so years ago, my jaw hit the floor.

The simple fact is fox cant get ratings with boring dull ghost stories, hence the over-embellishment by moronic redheaded scotsman. (american viewers believe anything spoken with a scottish accent)
I spent a large chunk of my life there with my grandmother who passed 20yrs ago I've done tons of research and NONE of it reveals the garbage FOX and Travel Ch so irresponsibly made up and aired.

If you're interested in Antebellum history in Jefferson Parish, there's a really good book called "Historic Jefferson Parish" written in 1974.

Signed,
killyourtv
kristi said…
TO Anonymous,

I hate to be a prude. But, i believe only a sad person would respond to a thirteen year old childs comments. You are ignoring the fact that we AMERICANS! Love for our children, to actually an imagination. It is from our childrens dreams and imaginations that our country has grown from. I do not know if you are just too old to remember, you once probally had one yourself. If you were such a charismatic person yourself, and actually lived in the place in question. You would then educate this child with alittle history yourself. What really makes me made is that someone like you watches these stories and then responds to them behind a child. Maybe you should get a life outside of your home! And stop attacking our young viewers! Let them watch whatever their parents allow and worry about your own.. If you even have any..

Sincerley,

Kristi (i did not leave out my name)

p.s Erica continue your research dear....
Blu Dawg said…
I know; hilarious how angry some people get. That's what anonymity does to the blogosphere.

The two plantations, in the same state, with basically the same name, sordid histories, and are both allegedly haunted, got confused - big surprise! They're only like 260 mi apart.

I guess helping out the tourism in Louisiana is a bad thing right Anonymous? Why would they need any state dollars flowing in ? Maybe you should move up to Washington across from the Library of Congress and you can study all the boring (non-ghost story) history you want. Oh, that's Washington, D.C. not Washington State hahahaha.

-Paul
Nova said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nova said…
I don't see the point in getting so upset, after all this is entertainment. No one ever came on and said the show was all true and factual. Anonymous, if it bothers you so much why not point Erica in the right direction? I'm sure it was a common mistake especially if they are so close as Paul says. These shows are what they are, entertainment. Much of history is comprised of stories handed down generation to generation so to prove or disprove some things is next to impossible. But, we take it all with a grain of salt. Some of these stories seem to horrific to be true, but I assure you, we as humans are certainly capable of such madness, as much as it pains me to say that. Just as I know there are some still engaging in horrific acts today. Erica, keep researching but double check your sources. Everything on the net is NOT reputable as a resource for research.
Anonymous said…
to kristi,

its not rude, fox is terrible with getting things historically correct. I;ve checked several things that they said on Scariest Placese of Earth and they embellish alot. Second of all the young lady did have several incorrect facts. So I think you need to stop being so sensitive and politically correct and be quiet

To Erica,
I think its great you took an interest in American History so early, I didn't. It makes me happy to know that there are kids who enjoy history as much as I do now.
Unknown said…
I too just watched this on Ghost Adventures and wanted to know more information on the Magnolia Lane Plantation and stumbled across this site. I read and reread the comments.
Anonymous says that there are "several incorrect facts" but has never been helpful to correct the facts that maybe incorrect. Instead this person goes on about Fox and Travel Channel and how wrong they are. Of course...it's T.V. So, anonymous, please educate all of us of the correct facts or are you just going to refer us to a book?
~Katie
cjnash said…
pardon me but my family lived in new orleans there is much more hauntings and satanic cults my family practied voodoo and there is more to it than what happened on magnolia lane plataion
Steve said…
Magnolia lane plantation is haunted i have been there and there are strange things that are unexplained that happen there iv talked to the workers and the owners of the platation and they say its one of the scariest places to be at night the spirits of the past play tricks on them all the time unexplained whispers noises and music in the main house in the main room can be herd at night. . to emily. . i dont know if ur studies have told u but there was a healer that lived ther to be 120 yrs old and her spirit is still there the ppl iv talked to said it is unwise to step on the grounds without being blessed by a voodoo priestess becuz of the evilness that has taken place there so if u ever get a chance take the trip to magnoila lane plantation its number 5 on the list of the top 15 scariest places in louisiana. . . i live in new iberia and there are a couple of hot spots here also i have been to this state is one the most haunted states in the USA

STEVE C.
Steve said…
Magnolia lane plantation is haunted i have been there and there are strange things that are unexplained that happen there iv talked to the workers and the owners of the platation and they say its one of the scariest places to be at night the spirits of the past play tricks on them all the time unexplained whispers noises and music in the main house in the main room can be herd at night. . to emily. . i dont know if ur studies have told u but there was a healer that lived ther to be 120 yrs old and her spirit is still there the ppl iv talked to said it is unwise to step on the grounds without being blessed by a voodoo priestess becuz of the evilness that has taken place there so if u ever get a chance take the trip to magnoila lane plantation its number 5 on the list of the top 15 scariest places in louisiana. . . i live in new iberia and there are a couple of hot spots here also i have been to this state is one the most haunted states in the USA

STEVE C.
Anonymous said…
Looking for a real voodoo in la I m coming there in two weeks my e mail is maretruck@aol.com
jleulate said…
I agree, Kristi!!!! All she had to say was that she had mistaken one for the other.

Erica, keep on.researching!!!! It is young people like you who.will be keeping the Louisiana History alive one day.

I personally enjoy every bit of it.

Signed,
Jennifer (I didnt leave my name out either)
jleulate said…
She took an interest in Louisiana History..... You, Anonymous, are rude and too worried about what the entertainment shows say whether its true or not. Let loose and enjoy it fir a change. If you are not careful, you will have lost too much fun in all your seriousness.......
jleulate said…
So you just came to Louisiana a few weeks ago. And did you educate yourself??
gr8fulnurse said…
Erica, continue your research, Honey. It's very interesting and do NOT let anyone talk you out of pursuing your wishes. Imagine if the Wright Brothers stopped when someone said man can't fly!

My name is Susan and I am an RN.
Anonymous said…
All of old New Orleans is haunted. I grew up there and have seen plenty of proof!
greg444 said…
Just for the record... Ghost adventures filmed at Magnolia Plantation (North Louisiana), NOT Magnolia Lane Plantation that is located on the West Bank of New Orleans (in old Algiers/westwego) it sits next to a Plant nursery... I wish "Ghost Adventures" would film there! I visited this place once, drove into the Nursery and some tall dude in overalls carrying an axe met me at my car, told me the house is for filming only and closed off to public for Good reason, people have heard screams coming from this place in the wee hours of the night! Ghost Adventure's Crew... what are you guys waiting for??? chickens! lol...

G...
Anonymous said…
Hi, it's haunted indeed. My family who were slaves there. My grandmother told me many stories of magnolia plantation. The healer that they speak of is related to me. My grandmother was born there, and my ancestors still walk the grounds there. They burried at the church yards in the area. I've been there, and the church yard where most are burried. So no matter what people say it's haunted for sure. Women from that area raised me. I've seen what they did, voodo, and on the west coast with it. Yes, may they rest in peace. Remember they would be about 100 something. They left Derry many moons ago. Blessings to all who understand. Blessings to the ones who don't. Many generations of the slave masters families are cursed, generations like now, and to come. Step on grounds of Magnolia... Anoint yourselves with blessing olive oil. Say 23rd Psalms while you walk through the plantation. Ones know from out west. Be Bless.
Anonymous said…
Well first of all why aren't you all including Kristi more concerned about the awful grammar,etc? Second of all who are people who decide to create a kiddie
parade every time something remotely is associated a with a kid? your the first to find the basis for any action, whether it be editorial, legal, argumentative etc. as relating to some "little young mind" that has been damaged. Give me a break. those parents who you so fondly refer to should be doing more than monitoring television programs btw. the fact is that the "young mind" should hit the books, and not the internet. And if he only way you have to oppose an argument is to advocate fetal fanatics..get a second day job, preferably not as a lit instructor.
Unknown said…
Wow! What is wrong with you? You have a little person who is interested in the history and instead of correcting her "mistakes" you rant and rave about TV shows! Today it is almost "mandatory" in a lot of States that the kids use computers NOT books!!! The internet!!!! Please, before you try to correct a child, get your facts straight if you want someone to listen!!
Vanessa said…
woah anonymous quite cold and serious. If you wish to correct someone and prove they are mistaken, please state the facts that you feel she has incorrect. otherwise you come off as someone who just likes to talk and critique. Also the shows on TV are made for entertainment if a person actually took an interest in this place they would do research themselves and find out the "true" "correct" facts.
like Erica here is doing.

p.s " americans viewers believe anything spoken with a scottish accent" .....really? not so grown up of you dear. please if you want to critique someone about their facts...stick to that, learn to grow up and not be so judgemental, maybe u need to stop being as you told kristi, "so sensitive..."
Anonymous said…
Wow, so weird to see someone else heard music. My son who was 10 stayed there with his friend, who's dad lives there...he stayed one night and came home..said he heard someone playing piano at night and moving in the kitchen and someone walking on the balcony.

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