No matter their motivations for being here, spirits appear drawn to Florida for various reasons. Lighthouses, hotels and even bars in Florida have long been haunted by ghostly activity that has been recorded here.
The Island Hotel in charming Cedar Key is said to be haunted by multiple spirits. Guests have reported hearing children running, witnessing ghostly figures in mirror reflections, and having their pictures photobombed by an anonymous former manager.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Fernandina Beach
Florida is one of the most captivating regions in America due to its long, complicated and eventful history. A peninsula filled with passion-driven artists, movements, musicians, writers, politicians cognitive scientists and other notable people, Florida boasts many ghostly tales and fascinating accounts from its long and varied past.
St. Augustine is known for its bloody history and numerous haunted spots, such as Castillo de San Marcos on Garden Key or Fort Jefferson at Garden Key, are said to be haunted. Even Volusia County sugar mill ruins can reportedly feature shadow people!
Beautiful old buildings seem to attract tales of supernatural terror, such as the Tampa Theatre with its ghost of former projectionist Foster “Fink” Finley. Don CeSar Hotel also boasts an interesting past, and some claim it contains an amber-hued ghost who seems like a friendly smiley figure that lurks within. Other haunted spots in Tampa Bay area include Florida Brewery Company, Plant Hall at University of South Florida and Fort De Soto Campground.
The Palace Saloon in Fernandina Beach
The Palace Saloon in Florida is one of the more well-known haunted spots, as it claims to be its oldest continuously operated drinking establishment from Prohibition Era. Sponsored by Adolphus Busch (co-founder of Anheuser-Busch), and hosting many supernatural happenings including objects moving by themselves, lights going on and off randomly, dishes breaking mysteriously without explanation, burglar alarms setting off unexpectedly and ghostly apparitions.
Louis G. Hirth transformed it from its original 1878 construction as a haberdashery into a saloon in 1903, complete with classic bar design elements like tin ceilings and murals commissioned for it by local patrons. Although Prohibition closed it down temporarily in 1919, local regulars still enjoy coming here until 1999 fire damage forced renovations to close it for good; even today regulars cheer when another patron enters and politics, religion or other topics of conversation arise in its cozy corners of the room!
Ashley’s Restaurant in Jacksonville
Florida may be known for its tropical paradise, but there are also some creepy places within its borders. Centuries of war, pirates, and shipwrecks have left Florida with its share of haunted spaces – leaving ghostly presences lingering behind.
Ashley’s Restaurant on the Space Coast formerly known as Jack’s Tavern has an eerie history. When it first opened its doors in 1934, Ethel Allen was brutally murdered and dumped into Indian River nearby. Ever since that night of tragedy there have been reports of mysterious glasses breaking on their own, lights flickering randomly, burglar alarms going off unexpectedly, as well as diners being shoved by some unknown force.
Beautiful old buildings often inspire ghostly tales, such as Tampa’s historic Florida Theatre. Built in 1926, legend has it that an inebriated projectionist haunts the building today; employees have reported hearing unexplained humming sounds, seeing shadowy figures in the balcony seating areas and experiencing strange noises within its projection room.
The Florida Theatre in Jacksonville
St. Augustine is Florida’s oldest city, founded by Pedro de Aviles of Spain in 1565 and known as one of the most haunted places in America, drawing ghost tours to visit some of its haunted spots such as Castillo de San Marcos, Old Jail and St Augustine Lighthouse Park.
One of Florida’s most haunted locations, East Martello Fort is said to be haunted by an unseen spirit known as Robert, which has been blamed for causing various odd incidents such as ransacking rooms and speaking in an unearthly voice.
The Florida Theatre has also been reported as haunted in Florida. Reportedly haunted by two former employees – a ticket taker who was murdered, and a projectionist who died of heart attacks during movie showings – two former staff have reported hearing unexplained humming noises, experiencing flickering lights, or seeing unseen or unexplained figures in the theatre. The staff have experienced unexplained lights flickering on and off while film showings are taking place.
