Florida is home to sun and sand, and several hauntings. The Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine is one of the most haunted places in Florida, and the United States.
Several ghosts wander the haunted Casa Monica Hotel halls, from a little girl to a confederate solder, and a woman who burned to death in a fire, this hotel has all the haunts.
So, let’s get into the haunts!
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History of St. Augustine

St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest city in the United States. It was founded by Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565. The Spanish named the city after St. Augustine of Hippo, who was a Christian theologian and philosopher.
The first settlers in the area were Native Americans, who were attacked and displaced by the Spanish settlers.
The Native Americans called the area Seloy, which means “those who have gone away.”
The city was important to the Spanish because it was the first place they settled in the New World. They were also looking for a place to establish a stronghold against the British.
Today St. Augustine is known as the “Oldest City in the United States.” It is home to many historical sites, including the Castillo de San Marcos and the Fountain of Youth.
With such a vast history and turmoil on its soil, its no wonder that the town is filled with haunted places.
History of the Casa Monica Hotel
On New Years Day in 1888 the Casa Monica Hotel opened its doors. But just a few months later a new owner stepped in and changed the name to Cordova.
Actually, the hotel has been known under several names including the Cordova, the Alcazar Annex, then just the Alcazar.
The first major event to occur happened in 1895. That year the hotel was destroyed by a fire, and had to be rebuilt. At least one woman perished in this fire…keep reading to learn who.
The hotel has had a number of different owners over the years, and it has been used as a hospital, Confederate barracks, and a casino.
After operating as a hotel for several years, the St. Johns County purchased the then-called Cordova to use as a courthouse. The courthouse operated from the 1960s to the end of the 1970s.
Then in the 1990s, a new owner changed the courthouse back to a hotel, and a luxurious one at that!
Today, the hotel is part of the Marriott Autograph Collection. And it is incredibly haunted with all the past tales.
You can book a room at the Casa Monica and enjoy all its luxuries, and its ghosts.
Hauntings at Casa Monica Hotel
The hotel has a long history of hauntings. One of the most famous ghosts is said to be that of a Confederate soldier. He is often seen in Room 318, and he is said to be very active, especially around the anniversary
The Historic Casa Monica Hotel is haunted by the ghost of a young woman who died in a fire. The young woman, whose name is not known, is said to haunt the hotel, and she is often seen in the lobby and on the stairs.
Guests have reported hearing her footsteps and seeing her apparition.
The hotel is also said to be haunted by the ghost of a Spanish soldier. The soldier, who is said to have died in a duel, haunts the hotel ballroom. Guests have reported seeing his apparition and hearing his footsteps.
Another ghost is a woman named Virginia who was married to a man who worked at the hotel. She was killed in a fire that broke out in the hotel. She is often seen wandering the halls.
Other ghosts that are said to haunt the Casa Monica hotel include a woman in white and a young girl. The woman in white is said to haunt the hotel’s fourth floor, while the young girl is said to haunt the hotel’s eighth floor. On the third floor you’ll find a confederate soldier.
A common haunt that is sure to leave an impression is groups of dancers dressed like the roaring 1920s, dancing the waltz in the hallways.
Despite the presence of these ghosts, the Casa Monica has been featured in several magazines and websites as one of the best places to stay in St. Augustine. So if you’re in the area, you can book a room and see if you will experience one of these haunts!
FAQs about the Casa Monica Hotel
Can I stay in a haunted room?
Yes. With so many hauntings at you’ll easily book a room with a haunt! Room 318 is a good place to start if you really want to encounter something.
Of course, you don’t need to stay at the hotel to experience a ghost. Visitors encounter ghosts in the lobby and hallways. Many report seeing people dress in 1900s garb in the evenings.
Is the Casa Monica Hotel haunted?
Yes, the Casa Monica Hotel is haunted. Guests have reported seeing apparitions and feeling unexplained cold spots in their rooms.
The eighth floor is said to be inhabited by a young girl, and on the third floor you’ll find a confederate soldier. Groups of dancers dressed like 1920s flappers have also been seen dancing in the halls.
There are a lot of ghosts here, no matter where you go you’ll likely find a spirit that will spook you!
What are the most haunted hotels in Florida?
The most haunted hotels in Florida are the Rosen Plaza Hotel, the Don CeSar, and the Casa Monica Hotel. Each hotel has its own share of ghost stories and paranormal activity.
Outside of these hotels, Florida has a lot of haunted places. Don’t worry, we made a list of the most haunted places in Florida so you can create a haunted itinerary to visit.
Is St. Augustine, Florida haunted?
St. Augustine is one of the oldest towns in the United States, and it’s no surprise that it’s also home to some of the country’s most haunted places. The city has a rich history of violence and tragedy, which may account for its high number of hauntings.
If you want to catch all the haunts, book this haunted trolley tour of St. Augustine. You’ll learn all about the history and haunts of the oldest town in the USA!
One of the most haunted places in St. Augustine is the Casa Monica hotel. So book a room and enjoy the haunts!
Related Posts
I hope you enjoyed learning about the Casa Monica Hotel hauntings. Check out other top haunted states next:
- Haunted Places in Florida
- Haunted Places in Texas
- Haunted Places in California
- Haunted Places in Illinois
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