151 years ago, a St. Augustine witnessed a terrible accident whose story echoes over a century and a half later- the deaths of the Pittee girls at the site of the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Built between 1871 and 1875, the 165-foot St. Augustine Lighthouse is often cited as one of the most haunted locations in the city. Among the various ghost stories associated with it, the tragic tale of the Pittee sisters is the most poignant..
The story begins when Hezekiah Pittee moved his family including his daughters Mary, 15, Eliza 13, and Carrie 4 from Camp Elizabeth, Maine, to St. Augustine to oversee the building of the St. Augustine Lighthouse. They lived on-site, and his children often played around the lighthouse.
On July 10, 1873, a fateful accident occurred when the children, along with a friend, were riding a railway cart used for transporting materials. The cart derailed and fell into the water, leading to the drowning of Mary, Eliza, and their friend, while Carrie survived. The incident left the community in deep mourning, and work on the lighthouse paused as the town grieved the loss.
Despite their tragic end, sightings and strange occurrences have led many to believe the Pittee sisters' spirits still linger. Visitors and staff have reported hearing faint laughter and seeing ghostly figures, especially near the water's edge where the accident happened.
Lighthouse Park, located by the water near the lighthouse, is another hotspot for paranormal activity. Guests on the Everdark Express tour often capture unexplained images and hear mysterious sounds during their visit.
If you're intrigued by these tales and wish to experience them firsthand, join us on the Everdark Express tour. Explore the lighthouse grounds and see if you can catch a glimpse of the Pittee sisters yourself.
