Fort Jefferson

Located 70 miles west of Key West in the remote Dry Tortugas, Fort Jefferson is massive, isolated—and deeply haunted. Built in the 1800s as a coastal fortress, it never saw battle, but it did serve as a prison during the Civil War, most notably housing Dr. Samuel Mudd, who was convicted of conspiring in Lincoln’s assassination.

Today, visitors report ghostly sightings in the dark corridors and gun rooms. Disembodied voices echo through the brick halls, and shadowy figures are often seen darting through archways—only to vanish. Some say the spirits of long-dead soldiers still patrol the grounds, especially after sundown.

One common legend involves an apparition wandering the fort at night, believed to be the ghost of a soldier named Private Winters who died of an accidental gunshot. This gruff stranger is said to appear and then disappear in the exact spot where Private Winters died.

Is it the isolation, the history, or something else that keeps spirits tied to Fort Jefferson? Whatever the cause, this fortress is more than just a relic—it’s a remote outpost of paranormal activity.