Louisiana has countless plantations peppered throughout the state, each with their own unique stories. This particular one has a fascinating, yet chilling history full of smugglers, buried treasure, murder, and one strong-willed woman who some believe remains at the plantation to this day in ghost-form. Whether or not you believe in hauntings, the tale of the Chretien Point Plantation is filled with intrigue.
The Chretien Point Plantation is located in the town of Sunset, Louisiana, just outside of Lafayette.
This antebellum home is nestled on 20 acres up against Bayou Bourbeaux and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The estate was built by Hippolyte Chretien in 1831 and was a thriving 3,000-acre cotton plantation.
Construction took four years and was completed in 1835. Chretien and his wife, Felicite, moved in shortly afterwards.
Felicite was fiercely independent, famously beautiful, and far ahead of her time.
Unlike most women during this era, she had worked alongside her father on his own plantation, often traveled alone, and enjoyed more male-dominated activities - including poker games and smoking cigars with friends. Felicite attracted many marriage proposals, but her engagement to Hippolyte was unique.
Traditionally, it was the bride’s family that offered a dowry to the groom’s family, but Hippolyte actually paid Felicite quite a bit of money for her hand in marriage. Sadly, Hippolyte did not appreciate her independence as her father had. He refused to allow her an equal say in business matters; however he did let her continue with her social gatherings.
Another point of contention: Hippolyte was reportedly burying his fortune around the plantation and staunchly refused to stop at her request.
Hippolyte allowed smugglers to use his land to distribute contraband in order to avoid taxes. These shady folks were welcomed into the home and Felicite befriended them, most famously Jean Lafitte.
Unfortunately, Hippolyte Chretien died from yellow fever in 1839.
In the 19th century, most widows moved back in with their parents following the death of their husbands, but not Felicite. She continued to run the plantation on her own while also raising her four children and, of course, hosting her nighty poker games.
She also discovered where her late husband had buried his fortune.
Between the successful business and the dug-up money, Felicite became an extremely wealthy woman. Such wealth was a target for marauders.
Late one night, Felicite awoke to strange noises. She peeked from her bedroom window and spotted several men sneaking in the shadows of her yard. When she ran to call for help, she discovered that one of the men was already inside the house. It is said that she reached out to him with a pouch of jewels, drawing him nearer, then reached for a gun and shot the intruder at close range, killing him.
Though her maids scrubbed the stairway, they couldn’t remove the blood stains, which can still be seen to this day.
In 1845, Felicite moved from Chretien Point to New Orleans and passed away shortly after the Civil War. Many believe that her spirit, as well as that of the man she killed, remain at the plantation. Disembodied footsteps, flickering lights, and floating orbs are common experiences here, and some even claim to have felt a ghostly touch or hear a woman’s husky whisper.
Pretty amazing, right? Felicite Chretien lived a truly unusual life for a woman in this era, and the twists and turns of her tale make this a fun one to tell! The plantation is currently a private residence, but it did, at one point, operate as a bed and breakfast, and those lucky enough to have visited in the past swear her unrested spirit has never left, continuing to wander the hallways for well over a century.
Did you know the story behind Chretien Point Plantation? Do you know of other similar spots with fascinating tales to tell? Let us know in the comments below!
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