The Ghosts Of Flagler College
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Florida was like the Wild West—a rugged and untamed frontier marked by its indigenous populations, outlaws, corruption, and the looming threats of predatory wildlife and devastating hurricanes. It was a land that seemed beyond the grasp of the American dream, a final frontier where even the might of Washington seemed inadequate to impose order.
By the late 1800s, many Americans viewed the vast peninsula of Florida with a mix of skepticism and frustration, questioning the value of the Florida Purchase Treaty and perhaps wondering if there was any way to reverse the deal. The only force capable of transforming this untamed wilderness into a thriving part of the nation was an imaginative and unstoppable force—money. But it wasn’t just money that was needed; it was the ambition and determination of a powerful figure who could envision the potential of this wild land and bend it to his will.
Fortunately for the future of Florida, America at that time was teeming with wealthy industrialists with the vision and resources to reshape the landscape. Among them was Henry Flagler, co-founder of Standard Oil, who would come to be known as the father of South Florida. His story and his legacy are indelibly linked to the transformation of Florida from a remote frontier into a bustling hub of commerce and tourism.
What are the hauntings of Flagler College?
Thanks in part to its very turbulent past, Flagler College seems to be embroiled in all manner of otherworldly encounters. Keep reading to learn more about this haunted higher learning institution, and to see some of these locations in person, book a St. Augustine ghost tour with Old City Ghosts!
The History of Flagler University
In the winter of 1882-83, Henry Flagler, seeking respite from the harsh northern climate and on the advice of doctors for his ailing wife Mary, traveled to St. Augustine, Florida. Though Mary passed away in 1881, Flagler had by then fallen in love with the wild and untamed beauty of the state.
Two years after Mary’s death, Flagler remarried and, with renewed vigor, turned his attention to St. Augustine. He was captivated not only by the city’s lush greenery and pristine beaches but also by its rich history and well-preserved architecture. To Flagler, St. Augustine was like a portal to another time, a city where the influences of various cultures had blended into a unique historical tapestry.
Seeing the potential for St. Augustine to become a premier winter resort for wealthy northerners, Flagler began laying the groundwork for what would become the Florida East Coast Railway. He envisioned a comprehensive transportation system to support his ambitious plans, which included constructing luxury hotels and other ventures throughout the state. As part of his strategy, he dispatched scouts to acquire real estate at bargain prices.
To realize his vision, Flagler enlisted the help of Franklin Smith, a local expert in concrete construction, to begin work on what would become his flagship hotel, the Ponce de Leon. Recognizing the importance of modern amenities, Flagler also turned to his friend Thomas Edison, who was eager to demonstrate the viability of his direct current (DC) electrical system. Edison provided the hotel with a DC power supply, making it one of the first buildings in the world to be wired for electricity. Interestingly, when the hotel first opened, guests and staff were so unfamiliar with electricity that Flagler had to hire men from Edison’s company to manage the light switches in each room.
The Ponce de Leon Hotel opened in 1888 to great acclaim, quickly becoming a popular destination for the elite. Over the next decade, the hotel hosted many notable figures, including President Grover Cleveland, Mark Twain, President Theodore Roosevelt, Somerset Maugham, Babe Ruth, and Babe Didrikson.
However, by the early 20th century, the hotel began to see a decline in visitors as Flagler expanded his railway and opened new luxury hotels further south in places like West Palm Beach and Miami. During World War II, the Ponce de Leon Hotel was repurposed as a Coast Guard training center, marking St. Augustine as the birthplace of the Coast Guard Reserve.
In 1967, the hotel was permanently closed, only to be reborn the following year as the centerpiece of the newly established Flagler College.
The Hauntings of Flagler College
The tycoons of Flagler’s era were known for their larger-than-life personalities and sometimes ruthless pursuit of wealth and power. Flagler himself was no exception, and his legacy has left an indelible mark on St. Augustine, both in its physical structures and in the stories of unearthly occurrences that surround them.
One of the most enduring legends at Flagler College is that of the mysterious Woman in Black. Former student Cori Orcasitas recounts a chilling experience from her freshman year when her roommate saw a figure dressed in black standing at the foot of Cori’s bed. The figure thought to be Cori herself, did not respond when spoken to and eventually moved to a corner of the room, where it continued to watch her night after night. This apparition is just one of many reported at the college.
Henry Flagler, who held unconventional religious beliefs and practices, is also said to haunt the college. At his death, Flagler ordered that all the windows and doors of his properties be left open to ensure his spirit could move freely. However, during his funeral, a janitor at Flagler College closed all the doors and windows, allegedly trapping Flagler’s spirit within the building. Some claim that his ghost still roams the halls of his cherished hotel-turned-college.
Another spectral presence said to haunt the college is that of Flagler’s second wife, Ida Alice Flagler, who suffered from mental illness and was institutionalized by Flagler. Distraught by her husband’s infidelities, Ida is believed to have gone mad, and her ghost is often seen in front of a large portrait of Flagler, staring at the image with a look of condemnation.
A further tale involves one of Flagler’s mistresses, an actress who reportedly died in the hotel. According to legend, Flagler would hide his mistress in a room on the fourth floor, a room lined with mirrors that was used as a psychomanteum—a space designed for contacting the dead. The actress supposedly experienced something in that room that drove her to madness, and she eventually hanged herself from a chandelier. The room is now used for storage, as students refused to live there due to reports of nighttime screams and shaking beds.
Finally, the spirit of a young boy is said to wander the halls of Flagler College, another ghostly reminder of the building’s turbulent past.
Haunted St. Augustine
Flagler College, with its rich history and stories of hauntings, remains one of the most intriguing and visited spots in St. Augustine, drawing those curious about the otherworldly and the legacy of one of Florida’s most influential figures. Check out our blog to discover more haunted tales of St. Augustine. To see some of these locations in person, book a ghost tour with Old City Ghosts!
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