Florida is filled with stories of paranormal activity and ghost sightings, from lighthouses to Civil War forts – there are spooky spots all across this state!
The Blue Anchor Pub in Delray Beach is believed to be haunted by Bertha Starkey, whose life ended over 100 years ago. Reports of doors opening by themselves, women in white wandering about, and mysterious voices have all been witnessed at this establishment.
Blue Anchor Pub
Florida is not only a beloved vacation spot, it also offers numerous haunted spots. These creepy locales are known to produce unexplained phenomena such as odd noises, ghostly figures or other paranormal activities that create uneasiness.
The Blue Anchor Pub boasts an ancient facade and interior detailing brought directly from London, making it an acclaimed local drinking hole that’s said to be haunted by Bertha Starkey, who was fatally stabbed by her husband and is said to haunt the spot where she met her untimely end. Visitors have reported hearing footsteps or hearing wailing after hours; candles lighting or extinguishing themselves without prompting.
The Britton Theatre in Tampa is another of Florida’s haunted landmarks, where both employees and patrons have reported strange occurrences such as doors closing abruptly or female spirits appearing more active during October than other months.
Hollywood Beach Resort
Hollywood Beach Resort is a beloved Florida beachside escape for retirees and snowbirds, yet is also widely recognized for being haunted. Prior to opening as a hotel in 1925, it served as a brothel frequented by Al Capone and his associates; some gangsters even strangled or strangulated sex workers to death on Room 202 on its second-floor second-floor wing; visitors have reported strange lights, voices and cold spots while staying there.
There are ghost tours that explore the hotel site, including one led by a psychic. Other spooky spots in the area include St. Augustine Lighthouse, Fort East Martello Museum and Cassadaga – a spiritualist community founded in 1875. Ashley’s Tavern in Rockledge is said to be haunted by Ethel Allen who was murdered there in 1934; people have reported witnessing glasses moving on their own, hearing voices whispering after hours and experiencing other paranormal activity there.
Gilbert’s House of Refuge
Many are skeptical about ghosts and spirits until they hear about a haunted place from someone they trust, or experience something which makes them question their beliefs. At that point, many become believers.
Gilbert’s House of Refuge is located in Stuart and was constructed as one of Florida’s Atlantic coast houses of refuge to aid shipwrecked sailors. Since 1876 it has served as a museum where guests have reported hearing voices, feeling cold spots and witnessing ghostly appearances as well as sensing an aroma of beef stew stew in its environs.
The museum is said to be haunted by an individual who once resided at its House of Refuge. A physician founded a cult which many of its followers died at, prompting countless reports of moans and cries from these lost souls, along with reports of objects moving and shaking by themselves, elastic appearing in pictures, and hearing an echoing woman’s voice throughout the building.
East Martello Fort
Right next to the airport, this old fort is easy to locate and hosts both the East Martello Museum and one of Florida’s most haunted places: Robert the Doll. If you like haunted places, this one definitely deserves your visit!
Legend has it that a girl’s doll named for her brother was said to be haunted and move around on its own, causing mischief in the form of throwing objects around the room. Fearful for their safety, her owners is said to have burned it in an isolated location,; however, it eventually surfaced in Key West many decades later and was donated to East Martello Museum!
Today, this museum houses the ghosts of Civil War soldiers and sailors as well as Robert the Doll. David Sloan, author of “Ghost Tours in Key West”, leads guests through this haunted fort during his ghost tours; using top-of-the-line ghost hunting equipment his team can guarantee lots of paranormal activity!
