The Riddle House in West Palm Beach, Florida, was originally constructed in 1905 during a period of rapid growth in the region. Built by workers associated with Henry Flagler's development projects, the structure used leftover materials and was designed as a modest but functional residence. Its early nickname was the Gatekeepers Cottage because it stood near Woodlawn Cemetery and housed the cemetery caretaker.

Because of its proximity to the cemetery, the building also served a secondary role connected to death and mourning. It functioned at times as a funeral-related space, which immediately tied the house to somber events and the handling of the deceased. This connection to burial grounds and funeral practices would later become central to its haunted reputation.

In 1920 the property was purchased by Karl Riddle, a prominent figure in the early development of West Palm Beach. As city manager and superintendent, he used the home as a private residence, and the house took on the name it still carries today. During this period it shifted from a cemetery-associated structure into a more traditional home, though its earlier identity was never fully forgotten.

Over the following decades the building passed through several uses, including temporary housing for city workers and later an art center. By the late twentieth century, it had also served as a dormitory for a local college, reflecting the changing needs of the growing city around it. Despite these changes, the structure itself remained largely intact, preserving its early twentieth-century character.

In 1995 the Riddle House was carefully dismantled and relocated to Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds, where it was restored to reflect its earlier appearance. The move preserved the structure from demolition and transformed it into a historical exhibit. However, the relocation did not diminish its eerie reputation and, in many ways, only amplified the stories that surrounded it.

The Riddle House is widely considered one of the most haunted locations in Florida, with stories that date back to its earliest use near the cemetery. Its connection to death and funeral practices created an atmosphere that many believe attracted lingering spirits. Visitors often describe a heavy, unsettling feeling as soon as they enter the building.

One of the most famous spirits said to haunt the house is a man known as Joseph. According to legend, he was an employee connected to the property who fell into despair and took his own life by hanging in the attic. Most people report his presence in that upper space, where they claim to feel watched or overwhelmed by sudden dread.

During the relocation of the house in 1995, workers reported strange activity, including tools going missing and unexplained accidents. Some volunteers refused to continue working after experiencing unexplained disturbances. These incidents were among the first modern reports reinforcing that something attached to the house had moved with it.

Visitors and investigators have described encounters with shadow figures moving through rooms and along staircases. Some report seeing a full-bodied apparition, especially near the attic or upper floors, while others describe hearing footsteps when no one else is present. Both staff and guests have repeated these experiences over the years.

People frequently report electronic disturbances and physical sensations. People claim that lights flicker, doors open on their own, and sudden cold spots appear in certain areas of the home. Many who spend time inside the Riddle House leave convinced that whatever presence resides there is intelligent and aware of those who enter.