Flagler College (Ponce de Leon Hotel) – Haunted College in St. Augustine, Florida

This stunning Spanish Renaissance Revival building started life as a luxury hotel in the 1880s before becoming Flagler College in 1968. Students and staff regularly report ghostly encounters in the ornate halls, making it one of Florida’s most actively haunted educational institutions.

Historical Background

Year Built: 1888

Original Purpose: The Ponce de Leon Hotel was built by oil tycoon Henry Flagler as a lavish winter resort for America’s elite. It featured Tiffany stained glass, elegant dining rooms, and cutting-edge amenities for its time.

Significant Events: Several deaths occurred during the hotel’s operational years, including staff members and guests who passed away on the premises. The building also served as a Coast Guard training facility during World War II, adding another layer to its haunted history.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Visitors and students most commonly report hearing phantom footsteps echoing through empty hallways, particularly late at night. Cold spots appear without explanation, lights flicker on their own, and doors open and close by themselves throughout the building.

The apparition of a woman in period clothing is frequently seen gliding through the rotunda and former hotel corridors. Some witnesses report feeling an unseen presence watching them, especially in the tower and basement areas.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The most famous spirit is believed to be a former hotel worker who fell to her death from one of the upper floors during construction or renovation. She’s often seen wearing Victorian-era clothing and appears most frequently near the fourth-floor tower area.

Students living in the dorms report waking up to the feeling of someone sitting on their beds or touching their feet. Others have captured strange orbs and mists in photographs taken throughout the building, particularly in the dining hall and rotunda.

Local legend tells of Henry Flagler himself still walking the halls of his prized hotel. Some believe his presence lingers because he was so proud of this architectural masterpiece that he can’t bear to leave it.

Most Haunted Spot Inside

The fourth-floor tower room is considered the most active paranormal hotspot, where the female ghost is most frequently encountered. Students assigned to rooms in this area often request transfers after experiencing unexplained phenomena like objects moving on their own and hearing disembodied voices.

Can You Visit?

Open to the Public? Yes, but access is limited since it’s an active college campus.

Entry Fee: Free for guided tours, which must be scheduled in advance through the college.

Tour Availability: Flagler College offers historical tours that include ghost stories, typically available during the academic year. Tours must be booked through their admissions office and are subject to the college’s schedule.

Photography Allowed? Yes, photography is permitted during tours.

Visiting Hours: Tours are typically offered on weekday mornings and early afternoons when classes are in session.

Best Time to Visit

October through December is considered the peak season for paranormal activity, possibly due to the cooler weather and the approaching anniversary dates of some historical events. Many students report heightened activity during exam periods when the campus is quieter at night.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

A 2019 student interview described waking at 3 AM to see a translucent woman standing at the foot of her bed, only to vanish when she turned on the light. Multiple security guards have reported hearing their names called when no one else was present in the building.

Former students have shared stories on paranormal forums about experiencing the same recurring nightmare while living in certain dorm rooms. Campus maintenance workers refuse to enter certain areas alone after dark due to their own unsettling encounters.

Local Legends & Myths

One popular campus legend claims that if you stand in the center of the rotunda at midnight, you can hear the ghostly sounds of a grand ball from the hotel’s heyday. Another story suggests that a secret tunnel system beneath the building is haunted by spirits from St. Augustine’s long history, though the college neither confirms nor denies the tunnels’ existence.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The building has been featured in several paranormal investigation shows and documentaries about America’s most haunted colleges. Ghost hunting groups have recorded unexplained EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) and captured thermal imaging anomalies in multiple locations throughout the building.

Investigators have noted that electromagnetic field readings spike dramatically in certain corridors without any apparent electrical explanation. Some paranormal researchers believe the building’s Tiffany glass and unique architecture may somehow contribute to increased spiritual activity.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

Since this is an active college campus, visitors must stay with guided tours and cannot explore dormitory areas or enter buildings without permission. Trespassing after hours is strictly prohibited and will result in prosecution, as campus security actively patrols the grounds.

Students and visitors should be respectful of the educational environment and avoid ghost hunting activities that might disrupt classes or residential areas. The college takes student safety seriously and discourages unauthorized paranormal investigations on campus property.