Tolomato Cemetery – Haunted Cemetery in St. Augustine, Florida

Tucked away in the heart of America’s oldest city, Tolomato Cemetery has been a final resting place since 1777, though burials on this sacred ground date back even earlier to a Native American village. With centuries of Spanish colonial history, yellow fever epidemics, and unmarked graves scattered throughout, it’s no wonder locals whisper that the dead here aren’t quite ready to rest.

Historical Background

Year Built: 1777 (though the site was used for burials as early as the 1500s)

Original Purpose: Catholic burial ground serving St. Augustine’s Spanish colonial population, later used by various denominations until it closed in 1884.

Significant Events: The cemetery saw massive burials during yellow fever outbreaks in the 1820s and 1870s, with bodies buried hastily in mass graves. Many graves were left unmarked or their headstones have crumbled away, leaving restless spirits without identification or proper remembrance.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Visitors consistently report seeing misty figures weaving between the weathered tombstones, particularly near the older Spanish-era graves. Cold spots appear without warning even on sweltering Florida afternoons, and the scent of flowers—especially roses—manifests in areas where no living plants grow.

Shadow people dart behind monuments when spotted directly. Electronic devices frequently malfunction or drain completely within minutes of entering the grounds.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The most famous spirit is believed to be Judge John B. Stickney, a Union sympathizer whose grave sits prominently in the cemetery—visitors report feeling watched near his elaborate monument. A spectral woman in a white mourning dress has been seen kneeling at various graves, vanishing when approached.

Children’s laughter echoes through the cemetery at dusk, though no living children are present. The spirits of yellow fever victims are thought to wander the grounds, still confused about their sudden deaths during the epidemics.

Local legend speaks of a “Lady in Blue,” possibly connected to the nearby Tolomato Mission site where Native Americans were converted to Catholicism. Some believe she’s searching for her lost family, separated during the colonial period’s brutal disruptions.

Most Haunted Spot Inside

The northwest corner near the crumbling Spanish-era graves is considered the most active paranormal hotspot, where the oldest unmarked burials lie. Visitors here report overwhelming feelings of sadness, sudden temperature drops of 20+ degrees, and the distinct sensation of being touched by invisible hands.

Can You Visit?

Open to the Public? Yes, but with restrictions

Entry Fee: Free to view from the fence; special tour access requires permission from the Tolomato Cemetery Preservation Association

Tour Availability: The cemetery is typically locked, but the preservation association occasionally offers guided historical tours (check their schedule in advance). Ghost tours operated by local companies sometimes stop outside the gates for storytelling.

Photography Allowed? Yes, from outside the fence; inside photography requires special permission

Visiting Hours: Viewable from the street 24/7; interior access only during scheduled events

Best Time to Visit

October through early November offers the best chance for paranormal experiences, as locals report increased activity during the weeks leading up to Halloween. Early morning visits (just after sunrise) and dusk seem to produce the most encounters, particularly when fog rolls in from the nearby Matanzas River.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

The cemetery is private property and entering without permission constitutes trespassing—violators can be prosecuted. Many of the oldest headstones are extremely fragile and protected by preservation laws, so even during authorized visits, touching monuments is strictly prohibited.