The St. Augustine Lighthouse is one of the most iconic landmarks in Florida, but it also carries a legendary reputation as one of the most haunted locations in the United States. Built in 1874 to replace an eroding older watchtower, the site has been the backdrop for multiple tragic accidents over the past century and a half. Learning about the lighthouse’s paranormal history through Ghosts & Gravestones introduces you to the restless spirits that reportedly still linger on the coastal grounds.
The light keeper’s house was added to the site in 1876 and was where the light keepers and their assistants lived and worked. Today, visitors from all over come to view this beautiful beacon, learn its fascinating history and climb the 219 steps to the top.
But others come for different reasons. They come to satisfy their curiosity about the paranormal, to discover if the stories they’ve heard are true and if it is possible that ghosts really do exist.
With its long and intriguing past, it’s not surprising that the St. Augustine Lighthouse has gained a haunted reputation. Many who’ve visited it, worked here, and others who live close by, have reported experiencing something inexplicable, mysterious and just plain eerie. There have been so many reports that several paranormal experts have come to investigate, including the popular TV show, Ghost Hunters.
One of the lighthouse’s first keepers was a man named Peter Rasmussen. He was known for his meticulous eye and watchful manner of maintaining the lighthouse. He was also known for his love of cigars and is one of the first ghosts that people report coming in contact with. Over the years, the smell of Peter’s cigar has been detected by many, including staff members and guests.
Others have seen and heard another keeper, Joseph Andreu, at the top of the tower; only he’s been dead for more than a century. His presence at the lighthouse could be explained by the fact that he fell to his death while painting the outside of the tower. His spirit never left and is often seen looking out from the top.
But perhaps the most well known ghosts of the St. Augustine Lighthouse are that of the two young sisters who also died on the property. Hezekiah Pity was hired to renovate the tower in the late 1800s. His daughters, Eliza and Mary, were playing inside a cart that was being used to carry materials back and forth to the lighthouse. When the cart broke loose, they weren’t able to jump out in time and the cart slid rapidly into the bay, plummeting both girls to a watery death.
Today and most days since then, the girls can be heard laughing at the top of the tower late at night. Others have spotted Eliza floating about the grounds wearing the same blue dress she died in.
Inside the lighthouse and around the property, many are often spooked by strange and eerie events that they just cannot explain. Staff members say that they lock the door at the top of the tower each night before leaving – yet the door is often open in the morning when they arrive for work. The lighthouse staff also reports that chairs have been moved or overturned and that various items in the gift shop were moved or missing, only to reappear later.
Music boxes have been known to turn on by themselves.
Some say while touring the light keeper’s quarters they feel cold and that the figure of a tall man has appeared before them, and then disappeared.
If you’ve never visited the St. Augustine Lighthouse, be sure to stop by for a tour when you’re in town. They offer daily tours and some evening and moonlight tours. Make the climb to the top to witness the magnificent view and keep your eyes wide open; you never know who or what you’ll encounter.
Important: The Ghosts & Gravestones tour does not stop at this site. The stories on this page are provided for your interest.
Who are the most famous lighthouse ghosts?
Visitors frequently report sightings of Joseph Andreu, a keeper who tragically fell to his death while painting, and the restless spirits of two young sisters who met an untimely end on the property. Joseph Andreu was an immigrant from Spain who spent most of his adult life working as a keeper at the lighthouse. On August 20, 1880, while painting the tower, he accidentally fell to his death. His ghost is said to still roam the grounds of the lighthouse, and many visitors have reported seeing him walking along the top of the tower or inside the keepers’ quarters.
What are the most famous ghost stories associated with the lighthouse?
Many visitors have reported experiencing strange occurrences while touring the lighthouse, such as sudden drops in temperature, unexplainable noises, and even apparitions. Legend has it that the two young sisters who died on the property still roam around playing with toys and giggling. Some visitors have claimed to see their spirits running up and down the stairs or playing hide-and-seek in the keeper’s quarters. Joseph Andreu, a former lighthouse keeper, met a tragic end when he fell from the tower while painting it. His spirit is said to linger in the upper levels of the lighthouse, occasionally making his presence known by opening doors or moving objects.
Does the Haunted Tour include climbing the tower?
The Haunted Tour does not include climbing the St. Augustine Lighthouse tower. While the tour provides an immersive experience into the rich history and chilling ghost stories of the region, it remains grounded at accessible locations that are part of the conventional tour route. For safety reasons and to ensure an enjoyable experience for all participants, the climb up the lighthouse is not part of the haunted tour itinerary.