Guide to the Most Haunted Places in St. Augustine

St Augustine is well known as America’s oldest city. But did you know that it’s also considered to be one of the most haunted towns in Florida?

With a long history dating back to the 1500s, it makes sense. These so-called ghost stories also reveal fun pieces of St Augustine’s history. Paranormal activity is said to occur all over St Augustine, including the St. Augustine Lighthouse and the Castillo de San Marcos.

Today we’ll cover the most haunted places in St Augustine. From the well-known places to the lesser-known haunts, we’ll cover a little bit of everything. If you enjoy hearing about paranormal experiences, you’re in the right spot.

St. Augustine Lighthouse

The St. Augustine lighthouse has been on the island since the 1874 but appears on maps dating back to 1589 as mention of a wooden watchtower. The original lighthouse fell into disrepair and ultimately collapsed to the sea. It was rebuilt and the new lighthouse is the oldest brick structure in the city.

Ghost sightings at the lighthouse are believed to be various lighthouse keepers, the spirits of two young girls, and a former owner.

The first ghost is believed to be a man named Peter Rasmussen, who worked at the lighthouse. He was known for being meticulous and taking his job seriously. Peter was also known for loving his cigars. Visitors of the St. Augustine lighthouse often report the smell of a cigar and its believed to be Peter.

While many believe Peter to be the cause of cigar smoke, others believe it could be from another lighthouse keeper, Joseph Andreu. He was a keeper who fell to his death while painting the outside of the tower. People reportedly seen him looking out from the top of the lighthouse. Footsteps can often be heard on the stairs, which are believed to come from Peter.

Perhaps the lighthouse’s most notable ghosts are two young sisters. Their father had been hired to renovate the tower in the late 1800s. The girls were playing in a cart that was used to transport materials in the renovation. In a tragic event, the cart broke loose and fell off the cliff. Both girls were killed when the cart crashed into the water. It is believed they drowned.

The spirits of the girls like to play pranks. They are believed to play with the light up sticks that visitors get on ghost tours. They’re also accused of pulling people’s hair and playing with music boxes. People have also reported seeing Mary, the oldest of the two, wearing a blue velvet dress and matching ribbon. Employees have found bolted doors wide open and report hearing children’s laughter.

Dr. Allan Ballard was the original owner of the St. Augustine lighthouse. He didn’t believe it would be swallowed by the sea and declined offers to sell. Meanwhile, they started constructing the new lighthouse anyway and each offer he was presented was less than the one before. The government even threatened to take it from him without giving him anything. He was rightfully angered by this and vowed to never leave. It is believed that he is still there today, haunting the property. Many report seeing him standing by the location of the old lighthouse.

The Old Jail

The old jail is one of the most haunted places in St. Augustine. It had a long history in St. Augustine, from 1891 until it was closed in 1953. Prisoners of the jail were subjected to inhumane conditions and most inmates did not survive their stay. Prisoners were typically used as free laborers on farms and plantations. Prisoners were beat, tortured, and starved.

Living conditions were poor. Mattresses were stuffed with Spanish moss and were often bug infested; prisoners were not provided blankets or pillows. Solitary confinement prisoners didn’t have a mattress at all. Toilets consisted of a shared bucket that was passed from room to room and they weren’t able to bathe properly.

Sickness was rampant and there were torture cages in the maximum security cells. It’s believed that the prisoners’ spirits haunt the old jail to this day.

There are many different paranormal encounters reported at the Old Jail in St Augustine. One is the sound of footsteps, but not just any footsteps. The footsteps that are heard are loud and clunky, like someone who is chained. Apparitions are seen crossing the main door then vanishing into thin air and orbs of light are also seen quickly floating by. Unpleasant smells are also reported, such as sewage. People also report the sound of dogs barking and while there are no dogs living there now, the sheriff did have dogs as pets when the jail was in use. People report the sound of voices in the hallways as well as wailing, moaning, whistling, and even a wicked laugh. Finally, many visitors describe feeling as though a cold hand is touching their shoulder or the sensation that someone is tugging their hair. Others feel something grabbing their ankles or scratching their back.

The solitary cell is said to be especially haunted. There is a challenge to stay in the cell and sit alone in the far left corner. Many who have taken this challenge have seen a shadow-type figure come towards them. While no one knows what this might be for sure, some believe it to be Sim Jackson, who was hung after murdering his wife with a straight razor. Others believe it to be Charlie Powell, who beheaded a man for spreading rumors about his wife. Others believe it might be a leftover energy from all of the cruelty that lived there. Whatever it may be, many feel it’s power.

Casa Monica Resort and Spa

Often referred to as the most haunted hotel in Florida, the Casa Monica Resort and Spa was once used as a hospital, barracks, a casino, and a courthouse. The hotel was actually the city’s courthouse until the 1990’s when it was converted back into a hotel. Rooms 411 and 511 of the Casa Monica Resort are the two most haunted.

The hotel was ruined by a fire in 1895, taking the life of a woman. She is said to still haunt the hotel, particularly in the hotel lobby and on the stairs.

In another fire, a woman named Virginia died. Her apparition has been reported to wander the halls.

A Confederate soldier has been said to be haunting the hotel, particularly in Room 318.

In the ballroom, it is said that the ghost of a Spanish soldier visits. It is said that he died in a duel. Hotel guests have reported seeing his apparition and hearing his footsteps.

It is also said that at night, waltz music begins out of nowhere and a room full of ghosts dressed in formal jazz attire waltz in the lobby.

The Casa Monica is one of the most popular hotels in St Augustine. While the above stories have been shared, most people who stay at the Casa Monica actually don’t report any paranormal activity. So is it real? Who knows. You could stay at the Casa Monica yourself and let us know.

Spanish Military Hospital

When the hospital was up and running, it served severely injured soldiers from various wars. Amputations were common at this hospital and they were also affected by the yellow fever epidemic.

When the hospital was being rebuilt in 1821, workers found thousands of human bones that had been buried under the building. They later learned that this had been a Timucuan burial ground. People who visit here report feeling a heavy or sad presence. Many also report feeling a sudden onset of fear once stepping onto the property.

Moans, screams, cries, and similar sounds have been heard. Others have seen apparitions who appear to be in hospital gowns. Hospital beds mysteriously slide across the floor, objects will move or shake on their own, and others report smelling sulfur.  

Castillo San Marcos

The Castillo San Marcos is one of the most popular things to do in St. Augustine. If you’re unfamiliar, it is an old fort that is more than 300 years old. It is the oldest structure of its kind in the continental United States and given its age and history, it’s not hard to believe that it’s known to be the home of many spirits. There are many stories but we’ll talk about the most well-known spirits you might encounter at Castillo de San Marcos.

Osceola was a Native American chief who was captured. He had been sick, so he was assigned a doctor and the two were close, even after Osceola was transferred to another fort. When Osceola died, the doctor with whom he’d had a good relationship cut off his head and displayed it in a large jar at his pharmacy. Many believe that Osceola is still wandering the grounds due to the trauma of his corpse. Some visitors claim to have seen a headless apparition.

Another story involves a cheating spouse. Dolores Marti was having an affair, which her Colonel husband discovered after smelling her perfume on her new man, a Captain who was also the Colonel’s assistant. He told people that the Captain was reassigned and that his wife was sick and would be going to live with her family out of the country. While people thought it was strange, he wasn’t questioned further until many years later when a hidden space in the fort was discovered with their skeletal remains. People visiting Castillo de San Marcos have reported smelling what is believed to be her perfume.

One of the watchtowers has reports of light shining from it even though there is no electricity. A Spanish soldier has been seen looking out to sea, usually around sunrise or sunset. Visitors have reported feeling hands touching them or feeling nauseous in the dungeon. In pictures, orbs and and odd shapes have been captured as well. 

Flagler College

There are a number of ghosts said to be haunting Flagler College. First is none other than Henry Flagler himself. If you’re not familiar with Henry Flagler, he was responsible for the Overseas Highway, which first connected the mainland to the Florida Keys. He was also responsible for building several luxury hotels, one of which was the Ponce de Leon, now the main building of Flagler College. Henry Flagler is believed to be haunting the college as many have seen what is believed to be his apparition.

His second wife, Ida, is also believed to still be around as well as the Woman in Black, Henry Flagler’s mistress.

Students of the college report seeing shadows, hearing strange noises, and a strange presence.

Don Pedro Horruytiner House

Ghosts have been reported here as early as 1821. The owner reported two apparitions which she recognized to be the previous owners from some paintings that had been in the house. Those two women, plus other former residents of the house, have been spotted in the garden to this day.

The Segui-Kirby Smith House

The Segui-Kirby Smith house is Confederate General Kirby Smith’s childhood home and currently serves as a research library. Lights are seen randomly turning on and off at night, even when no one is there. Orbs are often seen here as well. Even though these are creepy happenings, no one really knows who is haunting the building.

Tolomato Cemetery

The Tolomato Cemetery is the oldest planned cemetery in the country. It was a Catholic cemetery, which might explain why the spirits here appear to be priests. The priests are believed to be Bishop Verot and Father Varela.

During the funeral of Bishop Verot, his body basically exploded due to the mixture of the Florida heat and the gases from his corpse. Everyone attending the funeral had bits and pieces of Bishop Verot on them. Bishop Verot was buried next to Father Varela (though their bodies have since been moved) and many believe they have seen both of them walking around the cemetery.

The priests are not the only ones believed to be haunting the Tolomato Cemetery, though. A little boy named James is believed to be there as well. If you get the chance to visit, you might see a live oak tree just outside of the cemetery. Sadly, it is here that James died. He was climbing the tree when he lost his trip and fell. He broke his neck and died instantly. The family buried James where he died, but were so devastated that they left town and didn’t come back. It’s believed that James is still there, maybe waiting for his family to come back. People claim to have seen him running around, climbing the tree, and sitting in the tree.

If you plan to visit, the Tolomato Cemetery is currently open once per month on the third Saturday of each month.

Huguenot Cemetery

The Huguenot Cemetery was started for people of non-Catholic faiths, since the Tolomato cemetery was for Catholics only. While a number of different ghosts have been reported, the most famous is Judge John B. Stickney. He died of yellow fever and his body was relocated to be closer to family. It is said that his valuables (including his gold teeth) that he’d been buried with were stolen. It is believed he is upset by this, which is why his spirit is still there. He has been seen sitting in a tree and also roaming the grounds.

It’s also believed that the spirit of a young girl wanders around the cemetery. She is believed to be around 14 years old and died of yellow fever. Sadly, we don’t know who she is because no one claimed her upon her death but she’s said to wave at visitors, especially between midnight and 2 am.

Scarlett O’Hara’s

The spirit at Scarlett O’Hara’s is such a part of the bar that the upstairs pub is known as the Ghost Bar and they even put a stocking out for him at Christmas. So who is the spirit? That would be George Colee.

George built Scarlett O’Hara’s for his fiance as her wedding gift. Sadly, she left him for another man. George met another woman soon after. The two married quickly and he moved her into the home. Shortly after, he was found dead from drowning in the bathtub. Foul play is suspected but has never been proven.

George is known to be a prankster and friendly. Guests of Scarlett O’Hara’s have reported sounds of water splashing and low groans. He is also known to move chairs around, pull the burglar alarm, light candles, and mess with the thermostat. Some visitors even claim that they can feel him tapping their shoulders.

There is also another spirit who appears to live here. He is seen at the bar area, usually pulling out a bar seat and sitting down, then vanishing or walking around the first floor.

St. Francis Inn

The ghost of the St. Francis Inn is known as Lily, with most of the strange things happening in a room located on the third floor, now known as Lily’s Room.

It’s said that the nephew of the inn’s owner fell in love with one of the servants, Lily. As an interracial couple in the 19th Century, they had to keep their relationship a secret. Unfortunately, they were caught by the young man’s uncle. He forbade them from seeing each other and his nephew killed himself. Some say he hung himself in the attic but others say he jumped out of the third story window. It is unclear what happened to Lily, but given the hauntings of the St. Francis Inn, many believe she also did not survive and is still there today.

If you visit the St. Francis Inn today, you might see Lily. It is believed that she is still there looking for her lover. Visitors and employees have reported seeing her in the hallway wearing all white.

Guests have reported sudden and loud noises, the moving of their items, the TV turning off and/or on, and tugging at their bedsheets. Others describe hearing whispers or feeling cold. Overall the ghost is believed to be friendly, though some have described feeling like they were being possessed.

The Old City Gates

Marking the start of the historic district, you’ll find the Old City Gates. The spirit of a young woman named Elizabeth is rumored to be seen there.

When she was around the age of 13, her entire family died of yellow fever (except for her father who had died at sea as a sailor). She was left alone and when she eventually contracted yellow fever, there was no one to care for her. It is said that she wandered around the streets confused due to the fever and in her nightgown; it is also said that she got to the city gates and died there. Today she is reported to be seen waving to people as they pass by.

Since St. Augustine is the. nation’s oldest city, you probably already knew that it has a rich history. But now you know why St Augustine is one of the most haunted cities in America! From strange occurrences to haunted hotels, the spooky side of St Augustine has it all. Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, these stories are fun ways to connect with the history of America’s oldest city.

If you have visited and experienced St. Augustine’s haunted reputation, I’d love to hear all about it!