Haunted Guide to the Old Jail
This facility would not only house inmates, but also the sheriff and his family. According to accounts, the original jail was not only an eyesore, it was within view from one of Flagler’s luxurious St. Augustine hotels. Flagler, being the businessman that he was, knew that guests would not want to see a jail while vacationing in the beautiful city of St. Augustine and that such an event would diminish their experience at his hotel. He was compelled to relocate the jail by constructing a new building that would better resemble the many other magnificent structures in the area. And so, the Old Jail was built as it stands today.
Built in the Romanesque Revival style, St. Augustine’s new jail looked like any other house during that time period, and aside from the fact that it had bars on the windows, no one would ever guess it was a jail.
Today, the Old Jail is a fun and interesting local attraction where visitors to St. Augustine can learn about its fascinating history. But there’s a dark side to this seemingly harmless building – and this is the side that lures in paranormal experts and ghost enthusiasts from all over the country. For it’s what transpired within the walls of this lovely Victorian building that caused the Old Jail to earn its alternate reputation as one of the most haunted spots in the ancient city.
The walls of the Old Jail were 20 feet tall and so thick that no sounds could transcend the cells and be heard by outside ears. The windows didn’t have glass and the concrete and metal made for a very cold, sterile environment. And while the sheriff’s quarters were comfortable and well appointed with all the necessities for he and his family, the male and female cells were far from that. In fact, by today’s standards, they would be considered unlivable for humans. No blankets or pillows were provided and the mattresses, stuffed with Spanish Moss, were often infested with red bugs.
And shocking as it may seem, the Old Jail had no bathing facilities or sanitation for human waste, which meant the inmates were not able to bathe and there was a stench that could not be eliminated.
As one may imagine, there was much sickness and death in the Old Jail – even beyond the executions that took place during that time period. The maximum security cells, located in the back of the building, were equipped with stockades, a torture cage and a clear view of the execution area. The solitary confinement cell had no bed at all.