Huguenot Cemetery – Haunted Cemetery in St. Augustine, Florida

Tucked away in the heart of America’s oldest city, Huguenot Cemetery has been a final resting place since 1821, though its grounds hold stories far darker than peaceful slumber. Visitors and paranormal investigators alike report an overwhelming presence of restless spirits, making this small burial ground one of St. Augustine’s most actively haunted locations.

Historical Background

Year Built: 1821

Original Purpose: The cemetery was established as a burial ground for non-Catholics during a yellow fever epidemic that devastated St. Augustine. It served the community until 1884, providing final rest for Protestants, strangers, and victims of various diseases that plagued the coastal city.

Significant Events: The most tragic chapter in Huguenot Cemetery’s history unfolded during the yellow fever outbreak of 1821, which claimed hundreds of lives in a matter of weeks. The cemetery also holds the graves of those who died in subsequent epidemics and shipwrecks, their bodies often buried hastily in unmarked graves that have since been lost to time.

Paranormal Activity Summary

The most commonly reported phenomena include shadowy figures darting between tombstones, disembodied voices calling out names, and an inexplicable feeling of being watched or followed. Visitors frequently experience sudden temperature drops even on sweltering Florida days, and many report their electronic devices malfunctioning or draining completely upon entering the grounds.

Several distinct spirits have been identified by repeat visitors and paranormal teams. The most famous is Judge John B. Stickney, whose imposing monument marks his grave, and witnesses claim to see his tall, dark figure standing near his headstone at dusk.

Ghost Stories & Reports

Judge John B. Stickney is perhaps the cemetery’s most active spirit, with visitors reporting a tall man in period clothing who appears near his elaborate tomb before vanishing into thin air. The judge, who died in 1882, seems particularly active during evening hours and has been photographed as a dark shadow multiple times.

The spirit of a young girl, believed to be a yellow fever victim, has been seen playing among the graves, giggling softly before disappearing when approached. Tour guides report hearing children’s laughter echoing through the cemetery when no living children are present, and some visitors have felt small hands tugging at their clothing.

Local folklore speaks of a heartbroken woman who wanders the grounds searching for her lost love, a sailor who never returned from sea. Her mournful wails have been captured on audio recordings, and witnesses describe seeing a woman in white drifting through the cemetery gates.

Most Haunted Spot Inside

The area surrounding Judge Stickney’s monument is considered the cemetery’s most paranormally active location, where visitors report intense feelings of dread and the sensation of being pushed or touched by unseen hands. The northwest corner, where victims of the 1821 yellow fever epidemic were buried in mass graves, generates such powerful negative energy that even skeptics report feeling physically ill when standing there.

Can You Visit?

Open to the Public? Yes

Entry Fee: The cemetery itself is free to visit during daylight hours

Tour Availability: Multiple ghost tour companies in St. Augustine include Huguenot Cemetery on their routes, with evening tours running nightly at 8 PM and 9 PM. Some paranormal investigation groups offer special after-hours access for serious ghost hunters.

Photography Allowed? Yes, though many visitors report strange orbs, mists, and shadowy figures appearing in their photos that weren’t visible to the naked eye

Visiting Hours: Dawn to dusk for independent visitors; after-dark access only available through organized tours

Best Time to Visit

The most intense paranormal activity occurs during the late evening hours, particularly between 9 PM and midnight when the veil between worlds seems thinnest. October through December sees the highest concentration of reported encounters, with the anniversary of the yellow fever outbreak in late summer also bringing increased spiritual activity.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

A 2019 visitor reported on a popular paranormal forum that while photographing tombstones, she clearly heard a man’s voice say “Get out” despite being completely alone in the cemetery. When she reviewed her photos later, one image showed a dark figure standing behind her, visible in the reflection of a polished headstone.

Ghost tour guide Maria Hernandez has documented over 50 personal encounters during her five years leading tours through Huguenot Cemetery. She reports that Judge Stickney’s spirit seems particularly active on rainy nights, and multiple tour groups have witnessed his shadowy form simultaneously.

A paranormal investigation team from Jacksonville captured EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) recordings in 2021 that clearly contain a child’s voice saying “I’m cold” and “Mama, where are you?” These recordings have been analyzed by audio experts who confirm no living person was present during the recording.

Local Legends & Myths

The most chilling legend involves the “Huguenot Curse,” which claims that anyone who disrespects the graves or removes anything from the cemetery will be followed home by angry spirits. Local residents share stories of teenagers who vandalized tombstones only to experience terrifying poltergeist activity in their homes until they returned to apologize.

Another persistent tale speaks of a secret tunnel system beneath the cemetery, supposedly used during the Civil War era. Some paranormal researchers believe these tunnels, if they exist, trap spiritual energy and explain why the cemetery’s paranormal activity is so concentrated and intense.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The cemetery has been featured on numerous paranormal investigation shows, including “Ghost Adventures” and “Dead Files,” with both teams capturing compelling evidence of supernatural activity. Thermal imaging has revealed unexplained cold spots shaped like human figures, and multiple EVP sessions have produced clear, intelligent responses to investigators’ questions.

In 2018, a team using ground-penetrating radar discovered numerous unmarked graves beyond the known burial sites, suggesting the cemetery holds far more bodies than historical records indicate. Since this discovery, paranormal activity has reportedly intensified, with some researchers theorizing that disturbing the ground awakened previously dormant spirits.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

While the cemetery is open to the public during daylight hours, visiting after dark without joining an official tour is considered trespassing and is strictly enforced by local police. The grounds contain uneven surfaces, partially sunken graves, and low-hanging tree branches that pose hazards, especially in low light conditions.

Visitors are warned to remain on designated paths and never touch or lean against the historic tombstones, many of which are fragile and irreplaceable. Several tour companies have reported guests experiencing panic attacks, fainting spells, and sudden illness while on the grounds, and it’s recommended that sensitive individuals or those with heart conditions exercise caution.