Florida has a rich paranormal history that spreads throughout the entire state from colonial times and unique locations that have become major parts of local lore. St. Augustine has become a hotspot for creepy legends, due to its status as one of the oldest cities in North America. Even the island of Key West is long associated with death, tragedy, and pirates. Other ghostly havens include anything from modern highways to former schools, haunted hotels, ancient fortresses, and even some retail businesses.
Old Davie Schoolhouse opened over a century ago as the first of its kind in the entire region. Painted in a bright yellow hue, this building is allegedly haunted because of its longevity and past occurrences. Visitors and paranormal investigators have reported hearing disembodied voices, footsteps, and experiencing unexplained temperature changes. The campus also includes a school building with classrooms, offices, and an auditorium; and the Viele and Walsh houses behind the main structure. Many EVPs have been recorded, such as a voice that replies with the world “math” when asked about a teacher’s subject that was taught there.
Vinoy Renaissance Hotel has affectionally come to be called “The Pink Lady” by locals. This St. Petersburg golf resort hotel is renowned for its history and reported paranormal activity. Guests and staff have reported encounters with ghostly figures, mysterious noises, and other unexplained phenomena.
Tampa Theatre is famous for its elaborate design and architectural grandeur and a real paranormal history. Reports of ghostly encounters and unexplained phenomena have circulated for years, making it one of the area’s most haunted buildings. Resident ghosts can be found virtually everywhere, from the dressing rooms to the halls to the projection room. While some strange phenomena are carried out by invisible and unknown apparitions, others are so recognizable that they’ve actually been identified, primarily the spirit of Fink Finley.
Castillo De San Marcos, located just across the street from Flagler College, has a rich history full of paranormal activity. Visitors, locals, and staff have all reported mysterious activity, such as phantom watchmen, ghostly apparitions, and even strange sounds and smells. These experiences could stem from the fort’s long history of violent actions, including its use as a military prison and the site of many battles.
May-Stringer House is a massive mansion that’s come to be widely considered as one of the state’s most haunted locations. Its story includes a rich history of all sorts of paranormal activity. Visitors and paranormal investigators have reported various ghostly encounters, including disembodied voices, cold spots, and the feeling of being touched by unseen forces.
Key West Cemetery is undoubtedly a location that’s no stranger to the paranormal. Burial sites are often major sources of strange phenomena, and the island itself has a colorful past that contributes greatly as well. This graveyard frequently reports sightings of apparitions, ghostly children, and strange figures, particularly near one specific tombstone engraved with an ominous epitaph. Established in 1847, it’s also well-known for its unique tombstones and tragic tales.
Apollo 1 Launch Complex 34 is another spot with significant historical background. This particular area of Kennedy Space Center was the actual site of the Apollo 1 space tragedy, strongly contributing to Cape Canaveral’s rich paranormal history. All too common are reports of disembodied screams, an unusual sensation of heat, and the haunting deja vu of reliving the astronauts’ tragic final moments that permeates there. These occurrences, coupled with the site’s seeminly-abandoned condition, have led to its reputation as a haunted location.
Cassadaga is an entire rural town well-known for its deeply rooted spiritualist history and paranormal reputation. This village has also gained fame as the “Psychic Capital of the World”. Founded in 1894 by George Colby, a medium who was guided by the spirit of Seneca, the aim of this settlement was to establish a community to be utilized fully for mediums to practice spiritualism.
Biltmore Hotel is an enormous pink structure in Coral Gables that has had multiple uses, including a period as a military hospital during World War II, and is rumored to be haunted. Paranormal activity includes the ghost of a well-known gangster, who was shot on the 13th floor, as well as a woman in white, who may have been a nurse or jilted bride. Stories of ghostly encounters, strange noises, and unexplained events persist, even after the hotel discontinued its weekly ghost story tradition.
Ashley’s Restaurant is well-known by paranormal experts. Formerly known as “Jack’s Tavern”, this eatery and watering hole is rumored to be haunted by a history that included an unsolved murder in the 1930s, in which the victim was last seen on the premises, before her body was later found in the Indian River. Other ghostly legends exist, including a little girl and a maintenance man.
Fort East Martello Museum also encompasses Fort Zachary Taylor, near the local airport. This edifice’s paranormal history could stem from its primary “resident”, Robert the Doll. This museum is actually a Civil War-era fort and is believed to be haunted by numerous spirits, including soldiers and those who died from yellow fever.
Saint Augustine Lighthouse is known as a true paranormal hotbed of activity, not just because of the city that it patrols. Numerous reports of ghostly apparitions and unexplained phenomena are frequent occurrences. Visitors and staff have reported seeing the spirits of former lighthouse keepers, including one who fell to his death while painting the tower, and the mischievous spirits of 2 young girls who actually drowned nearby. This beacon is considered a focal point for the already-notorious paranormal activity in St. Augustine. Documented are stories of giggling, footsteps, and even the scent of cherry tobacco associated with its resident ghosts.
Riddle House currently sits in Yesteryear Village near West Palm Beach. Paranormal investigators flock to this bright yellow abandoned residence, and it’s even been documented on various series by experts. Due to previously housing a funeral parlor and connections to Woodlawn Cemetery, this dwelling has become one of most haunted homes in America, with its attic even being boarded up because of the scary nature of its activity.
I-4 Dead Zone is a small section of a major highway in Central Florida that has been virtually synonymous with strange phenomena. Crashes are all too common in this area, and the reason behind them is still a mystery. Similar to a miniature Bermuda Triangle, unusual events seem to happen there, even with the stretch of road both before and after seemingly perfectly normal.
Don CeSar Hotel is an extravagant pink resort on the Gulf Coast. It’s widely believed to be haunted by the heartbroken spirit of its original owner, but it also spent time as a military hospital for soldiers during World War II. Frequently the site of weddings, various ghostly newlyweds have been reported there.
