Haunted Destinations: St. Augustine, FL

August 29, 2017

Written by Capt McNeely

Georgia Division ZADF Twitter: @ZADF_ORG


We’re continuing our northward tour of haunted locations throughout America. We started in Key West, FL and now we’re visiting St. Augustine. St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States, so it’s not really surprising that by most accounts it’s also among the top 3 most haunted cities in the U.S., too. Savannah, GA and New Orleans are often mentioned as the other two-thirds of the most haunted list. I’ve had the pleasure of going on ghost tours in both of those cities as well, and we’ll cover the top haunted locations in each, but for today we’re going to focus on the Florida city founded by Don Pedro de Aviles in 1585.
Here are the top 5 haunted locations in St. Augustine, FL.
Castillo de San Marcos

This Spanish fort was built in the 17th century, and it’s packed with accounts of the paranormal. One of the fort’s watchtowers has been known to project a light from a device that has no power source attached to it. Another frequent claim is that a Spanish soldier can be seen at the edge of the fort at sunset and sunrise, staring out to sea. Cold spots are common in the fort’s dungeon, and visitor photos frequently reveal orbs and spectral images.
Huguenot Cemetery

Opened in 1821, the Huguenot Cemetery is located directly across from the Old City Gate. Many of the bodies buried in the cemetery are victims of a yellow fever epidemic. One such victim was John B. Stickney, a judge who was buried in 1882. Later, the judge’s family had his body exhumed to be relocated, and it was then that thieves broke into his coffin and stole his gold teeth. Apparently, the judge wasn’t thrilled about this, because his spirit can still be seen roaming the cemetery, along with many other apparitions.
The Old Jail

Jails and prisons are notorious locations for hauntings, so it’s no wonder that a jail in the oldest city in America is reportedly haunted. Built in 1891, The Old Jail was infamous for its abhorrent conditions and treatment of prisoners. Many men swung from the jail’s gallows, and by all indications, several decided to stick around after death.
The St. Augustine Lighthouse

Many tragic events have plagued the St. Augustine lighthouse since its construction in 1874. Several of the victims of those tragedies are thought to still roam the grounds. Among them is the ghost of a former lighthouse keeper named Andreu, who fell to his death while painting the lighthouse itself. Other apparitions include three young girls who died tragically when the handcart they were playing in broke free and plunged into the ocean. The television series Ghost Hunters investigated the St. Augustine lighthouse and turned out some of its most compelling evidence.
Spanish Military Hospital

The Spanish Military Hospital in St. Augustine had to be rebuilt in 1821 due to failing water lines. During the construction, workers uncovered thousands of human bones beneath the hospital. As it turns out, the hospital was originally built on a Timucuan burial ground. Any horror fan can tell you that building on top of an Indian burial ground is a bad idea, especially if it’s a hospital. Needless to say, the hospital grounds have generated many reports of moans, cries and sightings of long deceased patients.
 
 

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