Ghosts that Bring the Ancient City to Life
During the day, St. Augustine is sun-kissed beaches and cobblestone streets with history in every step, but as the sun sets on the Ancient City, the spirits of long lost sailors whistle down the shore and spooks of all sorts emerge from the shadows. In fact, paranormal activity is so prevalent that St. Augustine is considered one of the ten most haunted cities in the country—behind only New Orleans, Louisiana, Savannah, Georgia and Salem, Massachusetts.
The Ghostly Guests of the Casa Monica Hotel
Elegance, luxury, and ghosts? Built in 1888, during the first Florida tourism boom, the Casa Monica Hotel has been a staple of downtown St. Augustine for over a century. Many guests have passed through their doors, and some have even decided to extend their stay.
While the hotel has never confirmed the presence of ghosts in their hallways, there are many tales from staff and visitors about otherworldly encounters. Depending on how brave you’re feeling, you might request a room on the 4th floor of the hotel—commonly recognized as a hotspot for paranormal activity. Stories abound of children running up and down the hallways, even when the floor is completely vacated. A mysterious child’s handprint is known to appear and disappear on the bathroom mirror in the Flagler Suite, as well.
Perhaps the most well-known apparition is that of a man dressed in 1920’s attire, forever roaming the halls. His name is unknown but different versions of the tale claim he is an artist looking for his big break or a heartbroken soul searching for his lost lover.
The Lighthouse by the Dark of the Moon
Our iconic black and white striped lighthouse isn’t just a picturesque spot for sunset selfies! No, the real thrills here happen after dark and the beacon shines through the night. From the phantom scent of a cigar—a lighthouse keeper’s favorite, perhaps?—to shadowy figures peeking out of the tower, there’s enough paranormal activity to make any ghost hunter giddy with excitement.
Perhaps the most interesting spirit to call the lighthouse home is Maria Mestre de los Dolores, the woman on the catwalk. Maria became the second woman to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard and the first Hispanic-American woman to command a lighthouse following her husband’s, Joseph Andreu, death in 1859. 150 years later, Maria’s mark is still felt in St. Augustine. Visitors claim to have seen Maria leaning over the railing of the lighthouse, keeping a watchful eye on the waters below.
But don’t just take our word for it—the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum offers their favorite “Dark of the Moon” ghost tour year round. Bring your night vision camera and EMF detector, they even offer an “Investigation Only” version for serious ghost hunters.
The Old Jail’s Chilling Inmates
While most residents of St. Augustine—past and present—are friendly and welcoming, the Old Jail has a few who...well, let’s say they’re a bit more “chained to their past”. Once a real functioning jail, it’s now a popular tourist attraction. Visitors often hear ghostly whispers and even see apparitions of former inmates and jailers.
The Old Jail is a beloved stop on ghosttours around the Oldest City. Built in 1891 and operational until 1953, there was plenty of time for the Old Jail to host some truly nefarious criminals. There are too many accounts to list them all, but the most popular stories are cold spots in jail cells—as if a cold hand is touching your shoulder—, orbs of light that lead visitors down empty hallways and the sound of barking hounds. Interestingly, there are exceptionally few sightings of corporeal ghosts here.
Ghosts Come Out for a Swinging Wake
We’ve explored hotels, lighthouses and jails, but we can’t forget the cemeteries! It likely comes as no surprise that a city founded in 1565 has more than a few cryptic crypts. The two most notable graveyards are both downtown, just outside of the historic city borders.
The Huguenot Cemetery is only open to the public once a month. On the third Saturday of every month, the town of St. Augustine provides complimentary tours at the historic site. You won’t be able to hunt any ghosts, since the tours take place during the day, but if you walk by the cemetery at night you may find the spirit of Judge John B. Stickney, who passed away from yellow fever in the 1880s, pacing within the grounds.
This leads us to the Tolomato Cemetery, one of the most haunted places in St. Augustine, if not the world. Tolomato Cemetery is the oldest planned cemetery in the country, with its roots in the second Spanish period. There are over 1,000 St. Augustinians buried here—not including the Guale, a Native American tribe that lived in Northeast Florida before the arrival of the Spanish. From bishops to little boys, all manner of ghosts call the Tolomato Cemetery home. We just have one word of warning for anyone walking past the cemetery after dark: don’t travel alone.
Why Live in Haunted St. Augustine
Now, you might be thinking, “Why would I want to live near all these ghosts!?” That’s a fair question, but the stories and spirits are what make St. Augustine unique. This is a city rich with history, tales of love, battles, and life from centuries ago. Every corner tells a tale, and living here means you’re part of that grand narrative. Besides, why else would all these spirits hang around for eternity if St. Augustine wasn’t so great?
