Pensacola's Very Scary Past: The Haunted Legacy Lives On

Pensacola, Florida, a city rich in history and maritime lore, holds a chilling secret—its past is filled with hauntings, restless spirits, and paranormal encounters. Though some historic buildings have vanished over time, their ghostly legends endure, and no tour company brings these tales to life better than Pensacola History and Hauntings, the premier paranormal and history tour experience in the city. Let’s take a spine-tingling journey through some of Pensacola’s most haunted sites.

Pensacola Lighthouse (2081 Radford Blvd.)

Perched on Pensacola Naval Air Station, the Pensacola Lighthouse is widely regarded as the city’s most haunted location. Featured on The Travel Channel’s "Most Haunted Lighthouses" and Ghost Hunters, the lighthouse is said to be home to up to eight spirits, with eerie apparitions and ghostly whispers sending shivers down visitors’ spines.

Fort Barrancas & Fort Pickens (3182 Taylor Road & 1400 Fort Pickens Road)

Confederate soldiers who perished during the Civil War are believed to haunt Fort Barrancas. Across the bay, Fort Pickens is another site of spectral activity, where many have reported shadowy figures and unexplained noises echoing through the ancient fortifications.

Saenger Theatre (22 E. Intendencia St.)

Built in 1925, Pensacola’s "Grand Dame of Palafox" is not only a stunning historic landmark but also a hub for the supernatural. Strange sounds, ghostly apparitions, and an unsettling presence in the balcony have been reported over the years.

Seville Quarter (130 E. Government St.)

This beloved entertainment venue has its own ghostly resident—Wesley, a bartender who tragically

died in a cooler. Patrons and employees frequently hear distant laughter and voices when no one is around, while ghostly apparitions occasionally appear in the dimly lit hallways.

St. Michael’s & St. John’s Cemeteries (6 N. Alcaniz St. & 610 N. Spring St.)

Pensacola’s historic cemeteries are teeming with ghostly encounters. At St. Michael’s, glowing orbs and spectral voices have been seen and heard. St. John’s is home to spirits such as the infamous outlaw "Railroad Bill" and ghostly children who wander between the gravestones.

Dasanai – Crampton Brewery (No Longer Open)

Before closing, this building was notorious for ghost sightings. The spirit of an elderly man, believed to be from another time, was often seen carrying an old lantern, appearing in a mist, and vanishing in a flash of blue light. Staff even claimed he would help clean up messes and replace fallen objects.

Dreamland Skate Center (Destroyed in 2019 Fire)

Once a popular skating rink, Dreamland was reduced to ashes in a mysterious 2019 fire. Prior to its destruction, reports of eerie music playing on its own, ghostly figures gliding across the rink, and sudden cold spots left visitors unsettled.

Old Christ Church (405 S. Adams St.)

One of Pensacola’s oldest buildings, Old Christ Church, has long been rumored to be haunted by the spirits of rectors buried beneath its floors. Visitors have reported ghostly figures and unexplained sounds in the historic church.

Pensacola Victorian Bed & Breakfast (203 W. Gregory St.)

Guests at this charming inn have reported hearing children’s laughter, smelling phantom scents of breakfast cooking, and seeing the apparition of a woman in a flowing gown wandering through the halls.

The Imogene Theatre (6866 Caroline St., Milton)

Despite being rebuilt after a devastating fire in 2009, this historic theater remains haunted by the ghost of Imogene Gooch and a mysterious man who paces the balcony late at night.

The Gray House (312 S. Alcaniz St.)

Part of the Pensacola ghost tour, this house is haunted by Spanish sea captain Thomas Moristo. Visitors have felt cold spots, witnessed poltergeist activity, and even seen the captain’s spectral figure.

Coon Hill Cemetery (Jay, FL)

So haunted that visits now require an appointment, Coon Hill Cemetery dates back to the early 1800s. Witnesses have heard eerie children’s songs, seen spectral hands reaching out, and photographed glowing orbs.

Dorr House (311 S. Adams St.)

A presence, believed to be Mrs. Dorr herself, still lingers in this home. Visitors have experienced sudden cold spots, smelled fresh-cut roses, and felt an invisible force tugging at short skirts—a reminder that Mrs. Dorr still enforces propriety.

New World Inn (600 S. Palafox St.) (No Longer Open)

The spirit of a former owner is said to wander the halls of this historic inn and bar. Staff members have reported encounters with his ghostly figure over the years.

NAS Whiting Field – Branch Medical Clinic

The ghost of a navy corpsman who was killed while stationed at Whiting Field reportedly roams the hallways, carrying mysterious objects and wearing his old tech jacket.

Original Sacred Heart Hospital

Ghostly nuns are said to haunt this historic hospital building. Visitors have reported being tapped on the shoulder by an unseen presence, much like the nuns would have done in life.

The Legacy Lives On

Though time may erase buildings, the spirits remain, their stories preserved through Pensacola History and Hauntings—the city’s premier ghost tour company. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, one thing is certain: Pensacola’s haunted past refuses to be forgotten.

Dare to explore the paranormal? Join a tour and experience the ghostly side of history firsthand!