Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site
Daniel and Martha Turnbull built Rosedown's main house in 1834-35, surrounding it with formal gardens Martha modeled on the great gardens of France and Italy. Now a state historic site preserving the house, 13 outbuildings, and the gardens, Rosedown is said to be haunted by members of the original Turnbull family. Staff and visitors describe playful phenomena: lights switching on and off, furniture moved, and footsteps. The activity is often attributed to young William Turnbull, who drowned when a steamboat capsized his skiff during a trip on the Mississippi River, and to even younger James Daniel, who also died suddenly. According to site lore relayed by a curator, William turns the lights on simply to announce his presence. Visitors have also reported the image of an elderly woman appearing in a guest-bedroom mirror and in the reflection of a library cabinet, wearing a high-collared period dress.
📍 12501 LA Highway 10, St. Francisville, LA 70775, St. Francisville, LA · Get directions