Ximenez-Fatio House – Haunted Historic Boarding House in St. Augustine, Florida

Built in 1798 by Spanish merchant Andres Ximenez, this magnificent three-story coquina house sits on America’s oldest street and has been witness to over 225 years of Florida history. The former boarding house is famously haunted by multiple spirits, including a playful child ghost named Miss Madison who delights in moving objects and playing with the dollhouse on the third floor.

Historical Background

Year Built: 1798

Original Purpose: The house was originally built as a family residence with a ground-floor general store and billiards hall. It was later converted into a successful boarding house that operated from the 1830s through 1875, offering refuge to travelers, invalids seeking healing, and families fleeing conflict during the Second Seminole War.

Significant Events: The Ximenez family experienced devastating losses early on, with Juana Ximenez dying in 1802 at just 26 years old, followed by two of her children in 1803 and her husband Andres in 1806. At least 13 confirmed deaths have been documented within the house over its 227-year history, including guests who came seeking healing from illnesses but never returned home alive.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Visitors and staff frequently report encountering the spirit of Little Miss Madison, a playful child ghost who runs up and down the stairs and moves items throughout the museum. The most active paranormal hotspot is the third floor, where Madison is often heard playing with an antique dollhouse.

An original mirror in the house has become notorious for capturing ghostly reflections and shadowy figures that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Guests consistently report indefinable shadows, mysterious movements, and the sensation of unseen presences throughout the historic rooms.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The primary spirit is Miss Madison, a young girl whose identity remains unknown but whose playful energy is felt throughout the building. She particularly enjoys the third floor, where she’s been heard running, giggling, and interacting with the dollhouse that sits there.

The “Frail Lady Room,” which functioned as a Victorian-era fainting room for guests feeling unwell, has recorded at least one death and is a focal point for spectral activity. Multiple visitors have reported feeling watched, experiencing sudden cold spots, and witnessing objects move on their own in this particular space.

Staff members and paranormal investigators have documented numerous encounters with Miss Madison, who seems to respond to respectful communication attempts. Some witnesses describe her as mischievous but friendly, moving items as if to get attention rather than to frighten.

Most Haunted Spot Inside

The third floor is unquestionably the most active paranormal location in the house, where Miss Madison’s spirit is most frequently encountered. The antique dollhouse on this floor seems to be her favorite attraction, with visitors reporting the sound of tiny furniture being moved and childish laughter echoing through the upper level.

Can You Visit?

Open to the Public? Yes

Entry Fee: $15 for adults; $12 for seniors, military, and teachers; $8 for children 17 and younger for daytime tours

Tour Availability: Regular museum tours available Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with docent-guided tours at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Special “Mortality and Mourning: Women in Black” candlelight tours offered Friday and Saturday evenings in October at 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM.

Photography Allowed? Yes

Visiting Hours: Museum open Monday-Saturday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM; special evening paranormal tours and investigations available by reservation

Best Time to Visit

Evening hours after dark provide the most atmospheric experience for encountering paranormal activity, particularly during the October candlelight tours. Monthly overnight paranormal investigations from 9:00 PM to 9:00 AM offer the most intensive ghost-hunting experience, with the third floor being most active during late-night hours.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

Numerous visitors and museum staff have reported direct encounters with Miss Madison, describing the sound of running footsteps on the stairs when no one is visible. Several guests have photographed the antique mirror only to discover shadowy figures and ghostly reflections appearing in the images that weren’t visible during the photo.

Paranormal investigators conducting overnight studies have captured unexplained EMF readings, mysterious audio recordings, and temperature drops concentrated around the third-floor dollhouse area. Multiple witnesses describe feeling a gentle tugging on their clothing or sensing a small hand touching theirs during tours.

Local Legends & Myths

The prevailing legend suggests that Miss Madison may have been a child who died while staying at the boarding house during one of St. Augustine’s devastating yellow fever epidemics. Some speculate she might be connected to one of the Ximenez children who died in infancy, though her true identity remains a mystery.

The historic mirror has developed its own legend, with some believing it acts as a portal between worlds, capturing glimpses of spirits who once lived in or passed through the house. Guests are encouraged to take photographs of the mirror to see if they can capture what many claim to have witnessed.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The Ximenez-Fatio House partners with professional paranormal investigation team “A Night Among Ghosts” to offer monthly investigations throughout the year. These comprehensive overnight experiences from 9:00 PM to 9:00 AM include the use of specialized ghost-hunting equipment like EMF meters, REM pods, and audio recording devices.

Investigators have documented consistent activity on the third floor, particularly around the dollhouse, with EVP recordings capturing what sounds like a young girl’s voice. The house has been featured in multiple paranormal studies and continues to attract researchers interested in its documented history of deaths and ongoing supernatural phenomena.