13 Lighthouses Around the U.S. With Creepy Legends

Lighthouses have always carried a sense of mystery, standing guard through storms and long nights. Some, though, come with stories that send a chill through anyone who visits. Across the United States, these beacons are said to be haunted by lost sailors, tragic keepers, and restless spirits of the past. From Maine’s fog-covered coast to California’s rocky shores, each of these lighthouses has a legend that still lingers in the dark.

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Tybee Island Lighthouse, Georgia

Tybee Island’s lighthouse looks peaceful against the sea, yet locals whisper about strange sightings. Some say an old keeper still roams the tower, keeping watch as he did long ago. Footsteps echo when no one is inside, and faint knocks are heard on the spiral stairs. A small girl’s ghost is rumored to appear near the keeper’s quarters, her voice soft but clear on quiet nights.

The lighthouse has survived wars, hurricanes, and countless storms. Visitors often describe a feeling of being watched, especially when the fog rolls in thick from the ocean. Lights flicker and cameras malfunction for no clear reason. While many come for the view, some leave convinced they’ve brushed against something otherworldly.

St. Simons Lighthouse, Georgia

The St. Simons Lighthouse is known for its tragic past and eerie tales. In 1880, a keeper was murdered by his assistant during a heated argument, and it’s said his ghost never left. People report hearing heavy boots pacing at night, as if he’s still tending the flame. The tower’s lantern room glows strangely at times, even when it’s officially dark.

Local guides tell visitors that the ghost of the keeper, Frederick Osborne, continues his duties from beyond the grave. Staff members have heard whispers and spotted moving shadows near the stairs. Others feel a sudden chill when standing by his old quarters. The haunting is so famous that it has become part of the island’s local identity.

Pensacola Lighthouse, Florida

Pensacola’s lighthouse has been the subject of countless ghost hunts over the years. Built in 1859, it’s home to more than one ghostly legend, including a violent story involving a keeper and his wife. Visitors have seen dark shapes crossing doorways and have heard unexplained knocks. A woman’s cry has been caught on recording devices during tours.

The tower is also known for its “bloody bedroom,” a space where red stains appear and disappear without reason. Paranormal investigators say it’s one of the most active sites in the South. Cold spots are common, and some guests report being touched or pushed lightly. Even skeptics admit there’s something unsettling about its silence after sunset.

Hilton Head Rear Range Lighthouse, South Carolina

Locals call her the “Blue Lady.” This ghostly figure is said to be Caroline, a devoted daughter who kept the light burning after her father’s death. She’s often seen in a flowing blue dress, glowing faintly in the night mist. Her story has become one of Hilton Head’s most cherished and chilling tales.

On stormy nights, some claim the light flickers right before her apparition appears. Others say they’ve seen her walking near the base of the lighthouse, still guarding the coast. The legend of the Blue Lady draws visitors from around the country. Many come hoping to glimpse her calm figure in the glow of the tower.

Cape Romain Lighthouse, South Carolina

The Cape Romain Lighthouse once guided ships along South Carolina’s dangerous coast. Over time, it gained a darker reputation. Legend says a keeper murdered his wife there and buried her nearby. Since then, visitors report the sound of footsteps echoing up the spiral stairs when no one is inside.

Old records mention that several keepers struggled with isolation at Cape Romain. Strange lights and phantom voices have been described by boaters passing at night. Even after being decommissioned, its presence still feels heavy, as if the walls remember every secret. Few who visit leave without feeling that something unseen remains.

Ledge Lighthouse, Connecticut

The Ledge Lighthouse sits offshore near New London and has one of New England’s strangest hauntings. It’s said to be haunted by “Ernie,” a keeper who took his life after heartbreak. Since then, doors have slammed, TVs have turned on by themselves, and blankets have been pulled from beds. Some workers refuse to stay there overnight.

Ernie’s ghost seems both restless and playful, as if caught between duty and sorrow. Fishermen nearby claim to see lights flickering even when the building is empty. Visitors report hearing laughter and humming through the walls. The legend is so strong that paranormal shows have featured it more than once.

Boon Island Lighthouse, Maine

Perched on a rocky outcrop miles from shore, Boon Island Lighthouse has long been a symbol of isolation. In one story, a keeper died and his wife remained alone, tending the light through brutal weather. When rescuers finally arrived, she had vanished without a trace. Sailors now claim to see her ghostly figure walking the cliffs at dusk.

Haunting sounds echo across the waves, especially during storms. Locals say the cries of the lost can still be heard when the wind blows right. The lighthouse’s grim isolation adds to its legend, making it one of Maine’s most unsettling sites. Few places feel lonelier—or more haunted—than Boon Island.

Wood Island Lighthouse, Maine

Wood Island’s haunting dates back to the late 1800s. After a squatter shot a sheriff and then took his own life, locals said the lighthouse became cursed. Strange noises and moans soon filled the air, and visitors reported glowing shapes moving near the tower. Many keepers refused to stay long after dark.

Today, ghost tours bring curious guests to hear the tragic story firsthand. Some claim to feel a hand brush against them or hear faint whispers through the sea breeze. Even the Coast Guard once noted unusual activity there. It remains one of the most talked-about haunted spots along Maine’s rugged coast.

White River Light, Michigan

White River Light on Lake Michigan is known for its peaceful beauty—and its quiet haunt. Built in the late 1800s, it was home to keeper Captain William Robinson, who loved it so much he never wanted to leave. People say they can still hear the gentle tap of his cane echoing through empty rooms. His presence seems calm rather than frightening.

Visitors have also mentioned hearing the sound of footsteps on the spiral stairs. Some say they’ve caught faint pipe smoke drifting through the air. Locals believe Captain Robinson is still keeping watch, protecting the lighthouse he tended for decades. It’s a story that adds a gentle eeriness to this lakeside landmark.

Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, Oregon

Tillamook Rock, known as “Terrible Tilly,” sits on a lonely island battered by waves. Built in 1881, it was so dangerous to reach that workers risked their lives every day. Over the years, countless shipwrecks claimed lives nearby, giving the site its dark nickname. Some say the cries of drowned sailors still echo across the water.

The lighthouse later served briefly as a columbarium, housing human ashes before being abandoned again. Harsh weather and tragedy have left their mark on this remote tower. Even from shore, people describe it as eerie and lifeless, like a tomb in the sea. It’s one of the Pacific Coast’s most haunting places.

Battery Point Lighthouse, California

In Crescent City, Battery Point Lighthouse stands where the sea meets the rocks. Its keepers once endured long isolation, and some say their spirits linger still. Visitors have reported hearing footsteps and doors creaking open when no one is inside. A shadowy figure has been seen walking up the tower steps at dusk.

The lighthouse is open for tours, though guides often mention its strange happenings with a smile. Some say the ghosts are protective, still watching over the light they once tended. A few tourists have even felt gentle touches on their shoulders while exploring. The view may be beautiful, but it comes with a chill that’s hard to shake.

Point Sur Lighthouse, California

High above the Pacific, Point Sur Lighthouse looks over a stretch of coastline known for shipwrecks. Built in the late 1800s, it has seen loss, isolation, and danger. Visitors and staff have reported whispers in empty rooms, flickering lanterns, and shapes moving through fog. Some believe the spirits of shipwreck victims remain nearby.

The site’s remote beauty makes its haunting feel even stronger. Rangers who stay overnight often describe the sense of being followed. Strange lights appear along the cliffs, and doors creak open against still air. It’s one of California’s most atmospheric—and unsettling—lighthouses.

Fire Island Lighthouse, New York

Fire Island Lighthouse has stood for centuries as a beacon for ships entering New York Harbor. Over time, it has gained a reputation for its ghostly guests. Legends speak of a father and daughter who died of illness, still wandering the tower they once called home. Their soft voices are said to echo in the stairwell.

Visitors also tell of cold spots and fleeting shadows near the keeper’s quarters. Some even claim to see figures looking out from the lantern room late at night. The surrounding dunes only heighten its lonely atmosphere. Though the light still guides ships, its ghosts seem to guide the curious just as often.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.