Founded in September 1565 by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles of Spain, St. Augustine, FL. is the longest continually inhabited European-founded city in the United States. Most often referred to as the oldest city in America, it is full of character, history, ghosts, and more recently, tourists.
This city has been on my paranormal ‘must see’ list for years, and I can’t help but wish I had taken action to make it happen sooner. My cousin has lived there since 1978, and listening to her and her partner wax nostalgic makes me yearn for an experience I never had.
But I was determined to enjoy this seaside city for all the richness of history and lives lived that paint their historic downtown and picturesque landmarks. One of those landmarks is the unmistakable St. Augustine Lighthouse.
Since 1589, there has always been someone keeping watch from Anastasia Island, sometimes protecting those at sea, and sometimes those on land. Through multiple wars, nations of ownership, and 3 iterations…a tower beacon has stood, providing guidance and a sense of safety and security. The current…iconic…black, white and red tower has been operational since 1874 and is now the site of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum.
It is also a beacon for paranormal buffs, amateur and professional alike. It has long been known to be one of the most haunted lighthouses in America. And if its longstanding reputation was not already enough, the footage caught by the cast and crew of Ghost Hunters in Season 2 Episode 19 created a frenzy of interest and a new stream of income for the non-profit that continues to run the site to this day.
They offer a daytime Ghost Tales tour, a Dark of the Moon night time haunted tour, as well as a full blown Ghost Hunt investigation option. I was lucky enough to do a Dark of the Moon tour, as well as a general admission day the following day.
The stories shared are a balanced mix of factual history, testimonials, and lore. You find yourself feeling connected to the past inhabitants, admiring their dedication, mourning their losses, and even laughing at some of the stories of childlike wonder (look up the story of the Lighthouse Cat in a parachute).
And while I only had one moment where I was on my own away from the tour group, and felt like I was not actually alone…I did learn a powerful lesson about my interest in the paranormal and what I hope to see, do, and experience in the future.
With the popularity of all things ghostly, it is becoming more and more difficult to have a true paranormal experience or even just a moment to sit in solitude and be in these hallowed spaces. I am glad for the acceptance and interest in the paranormal as a whole, but as the size of haunted tours grow larger, opportunity for experiences shrinks.
Moving forward, I just need to know that I need to take part in a greater variety of events to experience the broad spectrum of haunted activities. I love the lightheartedness of haunted walking tours, but to deepen my knowledge, and experience in the field, I am going to have to open the pocketbook and take part in more private and curated events. St Augustine Lighthouse does have an option to do this, I just did not plan far enough ahead this time around. Lesson officially learned.