The Happy Haunts of Amelia Island
Get Spooky with Some Favorite Amelia Island Ghost Stories
Florida’s history is as long as it is complicated. Between European and Native American settlements spanning thousands of years there are more tales to be told than there is time. On top of the true history of this corner of the world, there are plenty of legends and ghost stories waiting to be shared.
St. Augustine is often the first place that comes to mind when thinking about Florida ghost stories, but Amelia Island is full of its own spooky secrets and ghoulish gems just waiting to be uncovered. If you dare to venture up to Amelia Island, you will find more than its fair share of pirates, Civil War history, and ghostly encounters waiting to be explored in the town of Fernandina Beach, Florida.
Just in time for a crisp autumn adventure, read on for a breakdown of the most spine-tingling ghost stories Amelia Island has to offer.
The Pirate’s Gold in Egans Creek
At the very heart of the island lies Egans Creek Greenway, a marsh landscape of over 300 acres of protected land. It includes biking and walking trails, with all manner of wildlife viewing opportunities.
Image courtesy of Nils Leonhardt via Unsplash.
As this scary story goes, in the early 1900’s, a pirate seeking to bury his treasure wandered upon this land with his accomplices and dug three holes, one for the treasure…and two for his accomplices! After burying the treasure he murdered his compatriots and put their bodies in the other two holes. The pirate then marked the oak tree where the three holes lay with a golden chain—to locate the treasure upon his return.
Unfortunately for this dastardly pirate, he would never get the chance. After covering his tracks, the pirate was bitten by a rattlesnake and fell into a swampy pit. Perhaps the snake was his crewmates getting revenge from beyond…
Local legend says if you see a golden chain hanging in an oak tree it is a warning to “Leave the money tree alone!”
Image courtesy of Zoltan Tasi via Unsplash.
[H3] A Ghost Who Never Gets Old in Old Town
A unique location for tourists looking to get off the beaten path is Old Town. Home to a bygone Spanish fort, it is said that a witch named Felipa once lived in this neighborhood. Felipa was a sorceress who would mix love potions upon request in an elegant former Captain’s home.
Fun Fact: the house served as the backdrop of the film The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking!
Now, back to our tale…
There was a girl who was madly in love with a boy who spurned her every advance. She begged and pleaded with Felipa to brew her the strongest potion to make the boy love her back. The night of her 16th birthday, the girl was ready to slip the love potion into her beau’s drink but on her way to the party she fell into the river and drowned. Now, the girl reappears to teenagers who dare to visit the old Plaza San Carlos on their 16th birthday.
Spooky Times at the Palace Saloon
St. Augustine may be the oldest city in America, but Amelia Island is home to the oldest bar in Florida! According to local barflys and skittish bartenders, this bar is known for more than serving up a fine tankard of ale…
Many unexplained sounds have been known to emanate from the bar even when it is closed. Music, clinking glasses, full conversations, and an electric piano, that even when unplugged, is known to strike up a tune at the oddest hours.
Image courtesy of Amelia Island Tourist Development Counsel.
The bar also hosted a legendary bartender by the name of Charlie Beresford from 1906 to 1960. He was particularly known for a game where he would dare customers to try to flip a quarter and see if it would land and stay on one of the carved wooden ladies behind the bar. A difficult challenge to be sure, at the end of the night, he would collect the quarters. It is said by bartenders now that if they attempt to ask customers this dare, they feel the tight grasp of a cold, unseen hand on their wrist…they claim it is Charlie coming to collect.
Venture to this bar and raise a glass…if you are brave enough.
Even More Twisted Tales
If you’re the brave (or stubborn) soul who has made it this far into our catalog of wicked tales, perhaps you would like to learn about even more bone-chilling stories from Amelia Island. You can sign up for an Amelia Island Ghost Tour to learn many more secrets about the place we call home!
Even Ghosts Have to Eat
The last thing you want is to be scared on an empty stomach! Stop by Timoti’s Seafood Shak for the best wild-caught seafood to fuel your ghost hunting.