For tour days, times, directions and tickets, see the more information section under the story below.
The Blue Angels roaring overhead, the fighter jets signal the end of the day in Pensacola. Here, when the night lights up, it fuels the imagination.
"They say when a spirit is hanging around, they died before they fulfilled their life," warns ghost hunter Mickey Mashburn.
Built in 1859, the Pensacola Lighthouse became home to several caretakers and their children, who may still be lurking.
"The most popular one would be Samuel in the tower," shares Mickey. "He's passed. He's burred in Georgia, but he still haunts the tower."
Mickey is a self-proclaimed "Ghost Chaser," who says he's contacted those on the other side.
A window high in the tower is where guides have seen Samuel sometimes appear. According to Mickey, he likes the ladies.
"He likes to touch the ladies," Mickey says in a low voice.
Some visitors say they felt someone taping them on, upon the buttocks while climbing the 177 steps to the top.
"Spirits are energy," Mickey concludes.
Visitors use meters that measure electric current. When a red light illuminates, and a meter bounces, there's ghostly activity.
"Is this Lizzy?" I ask while sitting on the floor of a bedroom in the keeper's house. The ghost of a small girl is known to play in the bedroom where a woman died following childbirth. The room is now known as "the bloody bedroom," following the mother's death.
Also talking to ghosts in the basement awaits Bren Neil and a friend from a century ago.
"Thomas is here in this room," says Bren Neal confidently.
The paranormal investigator says she has made friends with the ghosts here.
"Radiation detectors, I have spirit box, lipstick. I have laser grids," Bren shows our cameras as she is ready to speak with Thomas. She says he is a former slave who still stands seven feet tall.
"There is also Raymond who lives under the stairs," Bren says of the staircase behind us.
None of the ghosts are evil Bren says, rather they are searching for recognition.
"Would you like a ghost to follow you home?" I ask Erma Soto visiting from Puerto Rico.
"No way!" Erma says with a huge grin.
"Why not?" I ask.
"Because I don't need company," says walking away from the tower.
Night tours allow visitors to climb the tower and take in the view of the coast and NAS Pensacola. The lighthouse sits on the secure grounds of the Navy Air Station in Pensacola, home of the Blue Angels. Each night at sunset, a bugle still plays in the distance, indicating the end of the day, and the start of a haunting evening.
"They want to live here. We respect them," Mickey concludes.
About this destination
Where: Pensacola, Escambia County
Days & Times:
Tours tend to sell out early.
See calendar here: webreserv.com/services/bookonline.do?businessid=pensacolalighthouseassociationincfl&search=y&list=n
Phone number: 850-393-1561
Email: info@PensacolaLighthouse.org
Tickets:
Adults: $20.00
Address:
2081 Radford Blvd.
Pensacola, FL 32508
Website: http://www.pensacolalighthouse.org/index/tours/ghost-hunt
Parking: Free
Entry: The Lighthouse sits inside the secure area of the Navy Air Station in Pensacola. All cars and passengers are subject to search.
Accessibility Note: Call for details. Built prior to WWI, the Lighthouse does not have ramps. There are 177 steps to the top of the tower, and steps to the basement and second floor of the keeper’s home.
GPS Longitude & Latitude:
Latitude: 30.369765
Longitude: -87.276957
Latitude: 30° 22' 11.154"
Longitude: -87° 16' 37.0446"
Drive Times:
From Orlando: 7 Hours, 10 minutes
From Tampa: 7 Hours, 20 minutes
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Tankful on Demand
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