Florida is known for its sunny beaches, theme parks, and natural beauty, but it also has a dark side. The Sunshine State is home to many haunted places that will send shivers down your spine. Whether you are looking for a thrill, a challenge, or a paranormal experience, here are some of the most creepy places in Florida that will scare you at night.
St. Augustine Lighthouse
The oldest city in America has a lot of history, and some of it is not very pleasant. The St. Augustine Lighthouse is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city, but also one of the most haunted. The lighthouse was built in 1874, and since then, it has witnessed many tragedies and deaths. One of the most tragic stories is that of the lighthouse keeper’s two daughters and a friend, who drowned in the water near the tower.
Their bodies were never recovered, and some say that their spirits still haunt the place. Visitors and staff have reported hearing laughter, footsteps, and voices of children, as well as seeing apparitions and orbs of light. The lighthouse has been featured on many paranormal shows, such as Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures, and it offers ghost tours for those who dare to explore its dark secrets.
Biltmore Hotel
The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables is a luxurious and elegant hotel that has hosted many famous guests, such as Al Capone and Franklin D. Roosevelt. However, the hotel also has a sinister past, as it was used as a military hospital during World War II and a VA hospital until 1987. Many soldiers and patients died in the hotel, and some of them never checked out.
One of the most notorious ghosts is Thomas Walsh, a gangster who was murdered on the 13th floor. Guests and staff have reported seeing his ghost roaming the hallways, as well as experiencing lights flickering, elevators malfunctioning, and messages appearing on mirrors. The hotel also has a haunted pool, where some people have claimed to see the ghost of a woman in a red dress, who drowned herself after being rejected by a lover.
The Florida Theatre
The Florida Theatre in Jacksonville is a beautiful and historic theater that opened in 1927. It has hosted many famous performers, such as Elvis Presley, B.B. King, and Ray Charles. However, the theater also has a darker side, as it is said to be haunted by the ghost of an organist who worked there in the 1920s and later committed suicide.
His name was Jesse, and he loved playing the organ and entertaining the audience. However, he was also depressed and lonely, and one night, he hanged himself in the theater. His ghost is still attached to the organ, and some people have heard him playing it when no one else is around. Others have seen his shadowy figure sitting on the organ bench, or felt his cold touch on their shoulders. The theater also has other ghosts, such as a woman in white, a man in a tuxedo, and a little girl.
Conclusion
These are just some of the most creepy places in Florida that will scare you at night, but there are many more. Florida is a state full of mystery, history, and horror, and if you are brave enough, you can discover it for yourself. Just be careful, because you never know what might be lurking in the shadows.