Key West Lighthouse

Standing tall since 1848, the Key West Lighthouse has guided countless sailors to safety—but it’s also rumored to be a hotspot for spirits. Over the years, visitors and staff have reported strange lights, sudden cold spots, and the faint sound of footsteps echoing up the tower’s 88 steps.

The most famous ghost is said to be Barbara Mabrity, the lighthouse keeper’s widow who took over after her husband’s death in the 1830s. She kept the light burning through hurricanes and storms, but tragedy struck when a powerful storm claimed several of her children’s lives. Many believe her spirit still lingers, watching over the lighthouse with unwavering dedication.

Visitors also speak of shadowy figures peeking from the windows or wandering the keeper’s quarters. The brave—or the foolish—who climb the tower after dark often say they feel a sudden, unexplained chill, as if someone unseen is standing just behind them.

The Key West Lighthouse remains a picturesque piece of maritime history—but for some, it’s also a place where the past never fully lets go.