Haunted Plantation Ruins of the Caribbean, Nevis
Keen on experiencing paranormal thrills while visiting the Caribbean? Then check out the region’s collection of haunted plantation ruins. Our islands are home to thousands of these historic sites. Each bears its own legends, tragedies, and odd occurrences. If you’re lucky enough to come across one on a gloomy, overcast day like the one pictured here, well, the spooky script just writes itself.
New River-Coconut Walk Estates, Nevis
These haunted plantation ruins are found at the New River Estate in Nevis. New River, together with the adjacent Coconut Walk Estate, forms one of the 25 historic landmarks on the Nevis Heritage Trail. The plantation dates back to the 17th century. The majority of surviving structures, though, were built between 1810 and 1834.
New River-Coconut Walk is noted for having the largest sugar mill on Nevis.
Also notable, at least on the day we visited, were its spooky surrounds…
There’s no visitor center here. No tour guides, pamphlets, or obvious signs of welcome whatsoever. The ruins just lay rotting quietly and alone. The overcast/foggy conditions that greeted us here cast an eerie pall on our visit. It was impossible to keep our imaginations from running wild as we explored the ruins.
Our visit to New River-Coconut Walk, however, was cut short due to rain. If we had stayed a little longer and explored a little further, though, we probably would’ve run into another set of ruins. Ruins with a real haunted plantation history.
Haunted Plantation Nevis: Eden Brown Estate
I’m talking about the Eden Brown Estate. It’s located just a short distance north of New River-Coconut Walk. The legend of Eden Brown is a classic tale of love, betrayal, and murder. The kind of tale that has attracted the curious and repelled most everyone else from this spot for nearly 200 years!
The year was 1822. Julia Huggins had plans to get married. Julia’s wealthy father built Eden Brown intending for the young couple to settle there.
Accounts vary as to when the tragic events that caused the estate to become haunted actually occurred. Some say wedding day. Others say the night before.
There’s no disputing, though, that a duel took place between the bridegroom and the best man.
Why? Well, it’s complicated…
Some say the best man was having an affair with Ms. Huggins. Others say the groom was cheating with the best man’s girl. Still others even say that the best man was Julia’s brother, which would really up the tragedy factor on scenario #1!
The outcome of the duel is also clouded in mystery. Most accounts have both men dying. There are those, however, who say the groom survived. He was barred, though, from marrying Ms. Huggins following the scandal.
Either way, there was no happily ever after for Ms. Huggins. She became a recluse, living the rest of her days in solitude.
Ghosts of Eden Brown Estate
Today, people say you can visit Ms. Huggins (or the dead groom, if you buy that side of the story) at Eden Brown. Many people who explored the Eden Brown ruins have felt their spirits.
We’ll definitely have to check this out next time we’re in Nevis. Especially if we’re lucky enough to get another dark and gloomy day in paradise.
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