These 10 Florida Ghost Towns Are the Perfect Ghost Hunting Destinations

Weeds run ragged, dilapidated houses, and no one in sight.

These are what one typically sees and experiences when visiting a Florida ghost town.

Whether abandoned due to financial crises, or large scale natural disasters, ghost towns are scattered throughout our nation.

But some of them are not as empty as you may think.

These Ten Florida Ghost Towns Are the Perfect Ghost Hunting Destinations

10) Hague – Alachua County, FL

Updated 2/10/2020 – Like many other towns, Hague was developed during the 1800s as a result of the local railroad.

Cotton mills and a sawmill were the primary buildings.

The eventual invention of the boll weevil caused the mills in town to collapse.

Today, a very small population still lingers.

Those who have chosen to stay said that former settlers are still with them.

They can hear their disembodied voices where the cotton mills once stood.

9) Hopewell – Hillsborough County, FL

Before the Civil War, a man built a plantation situated amongst citrus groves.

Soon after more businesses grew, and the town of Hopewell was born.

Next to nothing is known why the town was abandoned.

Today, the citrus groves have begun to take over the town once more.

Hillsborough residents claim that if you walk through the groves around dusk, you will be surrounded by a cascade of voices of those who once called Hopewell home.

8) Anona – Pinellas County, FL

In 1883 a man named John Lowe established a water landing.

This makeshift port enabled commerce from key west and the town of Anona was created around the landing.

Over time, the residents dispersed, moving into Largo.

Today, all that remains is a church and a cemetery.

The church receives many visitors, and some of them have witnessed apparitions lurking in the cemetery.

Many have said their eyes glow white whenever there is a full moon.

7) Slavia – Seminole County, FL

In 1911, Sloviansk people living in Ohio decided to migrate to an area where agriculture and wholesome values could reign once more.

Funded by local Lutherans, the town and church of Slavia was established.

In 1933, the first town burial took place for eleven year old John Mikler.

Few know why Slavia was abandoned, but recently visitors have claimed that they have seen glimpses of a transparent boy, wandering throughout the buildings that still remain.

6) Zion – Palm Beach County, FL

Sailors who had survived shipwrecks needed refuge off the east coast of Florida.

A house of refuge was built in 1876.

A post office was created a year after, and the area was officially called Zion.

When the post office was discontinued in 1896, the miniature town declined.

Locals who come to see the historical marker for this town claim to have seen a man in a postal uniform slowly walk out to sea.

Legend has it that a barefoot mailman disappeared in the area shortly before the post office was shut down.

5) Fort Dade – Hillsborough County, FL

Fort Dade was built on Egmont Key island during the Spanish American War.

Based in Tampa Bay, the fort saw very little action and was quickly abandoned post war.

Egmont Key is now a state park.

Former park rangers have recently come forward and have said that not only have they heard phantom gun fire at the fort, but the 137 year old lighthouse on the island often operates of its own volition.

4) Holopaw – Osceola County, FL

In 1923 a man named JM Griffin opened up a sawmill near the railroad.

The sawmill employed hundreds of people and the town of Holopaw was built to house them.

When the railroad line was discontinued, the mill closed as a consequence and so did the town.

Those who have come to visit the few remaining houses were terrified to see phantom limbs scattered on the ground.

A few theorize former employees of the sawmill lost them during accidents while working.

3) Olympia – Martin County, FL

During the 1920s, a land boom hit Florida.

A company called Olympia had the idea to build a small Grecian style town to use to create movie sets.

Plans continued for a few years until the land boom collapsed in 1926, and a hurricane destroyed Olympia two years later.

Bankrupt, the project and town were abandoned.

Rumor has it that the ghost town is the site where a failed actress committed suicide.

Florida residents who visit the remains of the town often complain of bouts of severe and unexplainable depression whenever they visit Olympia.

2) Quay – Indian River County, FL

During the 1910s, the town of Quay was developed in honor of a local senator.

When the town failed to attract developers during the land boom, they changed the name to Winter Beach.

However, the land bust quickly arrived, and the town never prospered.

Many Florida natives say that if you visit the cemetery, which is the oldest in the county, it is likely that a spirit will follow you home.

Many report paranormal activity for a month following a visit to the ghost town of Quay.

1) White City – Saint Lucie County, FL

Inspired by the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, a group of Danish settlers decided to establish their own town.

Named the White City, the town prospered until a con man stole many residents’ fortunes a year later.

A large freeze occurred the following year, and subsequently destroyed all of the crops.

White City was then abandoned.

Locals attempting to restore the town believe the con man, Colonel Myers now haunts the town.

Restoration efforts are mysteriously destroyed, and personal items, such as gold watches, disappear without a trace.

Conclusion

One can assume that ghost towns are perpetually barren.

However, those who have visits the aforementioned haunted ghost towns would beg to differ.

Not all of these places are completely empty and abandoned, some get rebuilt slowly over the years…but you can’t just pave over haunted grounds and expect everything to be okay.

Activity still continues in the abandoned buildings, it’s simply not of the living variety.