Lightner Museum
Location submitted by: sdonley on 03/20/2025
DBA Approved: Y
PANICd#: 2156
| The Lightner Museum is a museum of antiques, mostly American Gilded Age pieces, housed within the historic Hotel Alcazar building in downtown St. Augustine. |
75 King St
St. Augustine , FL 32084
Open to the public: Yes
Lat: 29.890720
Lon: -81.313744
Database Summary:
Demographic Rank: 0
History: 1
Stories: 1
Claims: 5
Evidence: 0
Resources: 3
Retrievals: 16552
Vistor Rating: 0.0
Votes: 0
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History information is some background and history about the location. This is meant to be a basic summary. Below the history records you will find sources in which you can click on to find out more information. There may be multiple history records per location.
Henry Flagler commissioned the construction of the Alcatraz Hotel with the intention of attracting wealthy tourists who were traveling south for the winter on his railroad, which was known as the Florida East Coast Railway. Architects Carrère and Hastings from New York City were responsible for its design, which was an example of the Spanish Renaissance Revival style. The Ponce de León Hotel, which is located directly across the street and is now a part of the Flagler College campus, was also designed by the firm. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that both of these buildings are among the earliest instances of poured concrete constructions anywhere in the globe. In later years, these architects were responsible for designing the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, District of Columbia, as well as the New York Public Library in New York City.
However, the hotel shut down in 1932 after years of serving as an attractive winter resort for wealthy customers. It had a steam room, a massage parlor, sulfur baths, a gymnasium, a three-story ballroom, and the largest indoor swimming pool in the world.
The building was purchased by Otto C. Lightner, a publisher from Chicago, on August 20, 1947, with the intention of transforming the ancient hotel into a museum dedicated to hobbies. He utilized the area to host a number of collections, one of which was his own enormous collection of artwork from the Victorian era. After that, he handed it over to the city of St. Augustine, and in 1948, the museum actually opened its doors to the general public.
In addition to being an attraction in and of itself, the structure is centered around an open courtyard that features palm trees and a stone arch bridge that spans over a koi aquarium.
Added by: sdonley on 03/20/2025 DB#:694
Source(s):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightner_Museum
Stories are just that. Stories and personal accounts that have been reported about the location.
Located in St. Augustine, Florida, the Lightner Museum, which is housed in the building that formerly housed the Hotel Alcazar, is renowned for its paranormal activity. Both visitors and employees have reported experiencing weird incidents and seeing spirits.
During their time in the elevator, several guests have reported experiencing weird occurrences, such as unexpected decreases in temperature, lights flickering, and the feeling of being touched.
A number of people have the belief that the museum, and more specifically the women's wing of Ponce de Leon Hall, is haunted by the soul of Ida Alice, who was Henry Flagler's second wife.
Visitors commonly describe seeing the restless spirits of two little sisters who met an untimely end on the site, as well as Joseph Andreu, a keeper who tragically fell to his death while painting. Visitors claim to have seen all three of these individuals.
There are many who claim that Flagler himself is the ghost that is haunting the college. The hotel displayed Flagler's body in the foyer for public viewing after his death. Many believe that his presence lingers in the halls, watching over the place he once cherished. Whispers often emerge from the eerie silence, prompting speculation that he continues to vigilantly guard his legacy.
Added by: sdonley on 03/20/2025 DB#:1668
Source(s):
Various
Here are the paranormal claims for this location. These have been found through Internet research, reports from members, or reports from personal interviews. To add a claim, your account must have contributor access or higher.
| Claim# | Claim |
| 3634 | People have reported temperature drops, feelings of being touched, and lights flickering in the elevator.
Added: 03/20/2025 By: sdonley |
| 3635 | The apparition of Ida Alice Flager has been seen.
Added: 03/20/2025 By: sdonley |
| 3636 | The apparition of Jospeph Andreu has been seen.
Added: 03/20/2025 By: sdonley |
| 3637 | The apparitions of two sisters who had died in the hotel have been seen.
Added: 03/20/2025 By: sdonley |
| 3638 | The apparition of Henry Flagler has been seen. Added: 03/20/2025 By: sdonley |
Paranormal evidence is based on claims that have been reported for this location. There can be several types of evidence; however, we have grouped them based on media type for better organization. Here you will find evidence that are logs, audio, video, or photographic.
To add evidence for a claim, you must submit it to PANICd.com for approval to be entered into the database.
No Evidence Reported Yet!
This is a collection of Internet resources for this location. This section will house links to other websites that contain information related to history, claims, investigations, or even the location's website.
| Wikipedia Entry | Wikipedia entry for this location. |
| Added: 03/20/2025 By: sdonley | |
| Alcazar Hotel | Visit St. Augustine | Information about the Alcatraz Hotel. |
| Added: 03/20/2025 By: sdonley | |
| Henry Morrison Flagler (1830-1913) - Find a Grave Memorial | Industrialist, Businessman. He was a co-founder with John D. Rockefeller of Standard Oil Company. |
| Added: 03/20/2025 By: sdonley | |
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