Haunted Lighthouse

The keepers cottage was rebuilt in 1859 and it is seems Michaela Ingraham has haunted it ever since. Visitors report objects being hurled at them and seeing the front door and gate door open and close on their own accord.  To this day there are blood stains on the floor of the keeper’s cottage that no amount of scrubbing can fade away.

It is also thought at least three other ghosts haunt the tower and cottage but it is unknown who these restless spirits may be.

Possible orb on the ceiling in hall leading to tower stairs taken Oct 2008. Photo by PR Mace

Chilling tales are part of the allure of the haunted lighthouse. One father and his two children ages 8 and 11 reported they heard someone calling the boys name and the children claim they saw a strange unearthly figure on the steps leading up to the tower.

Along the wall of the first floor are typed oral histories from people who have experienced strange happenings while on a visit or while working at the lighthouse.

One young man who lived at the keeper’s cottage as a child had this to say, “When I would go up to pull the chains to keep the lens turning, I could hear human breathing.”  He has memories of his mother constantly trying to remove the blood stains from an upper level bedroom and becoming upset because they always returned. At night he and his family would hear footsteps on the upper floor landing or coming up the stairs and when they looked no one was there.

Reports of a black slave hiding in the basement, a women in a white dress or nightgown in the hall or at the top of the tower and the sounds of children at play are just a sample of the paranormal activity reported at the Pensacola Lighthouse.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 17 provides tours of the tower on Saturdays from noon to 4 pm and at different times of the year Ghost Seekers of Texas have ghost hunting tours.

It doesn’t matter if you visit the Pensacola Lighthouse for the high level view of the bay or on dark foggy nights to hunt for ghosts, it is a trip well worth your wild. But do watch out for those ghosts they are always ready to give you a scare.

Strange shot taken in total darkness with a ditial camera on second floor of the Keeper’s

cottage in Oct 2008. Could it be the lady in white? Photo by PR Mace