Are you looking for a creepy place to spend Halloween? Not just a haunted house attraction, but a real haunted place with real ghost stories?
It’s not often that you come across a place with a story as interesting or as creepy as the history of Captain Tony’s Saloon in Key West. In the 1850s, the building was an ice house that doubled as Key West’s first morgue.
Flickr/Ed Schipul
One of the first things you will notice is the large tree growing right through the building. The story goes that this “Hanging Tree” was used to execute 17 people, 16 pirates and one woman.
Flickr/Sam Howzit
She was hanged for murdering her family, and she’s called the “lady in blue,” because of the dress she wore and because of the color of her skin when she died. Her restless spirit still haunts the saloon.
Flickr/Beachfront Solutions
According to legend, after a huge hurricane in 1865, an unidentified body was found outside the bar, so a wall was built around it with holy water placed inside. During a large expansion in the ’80s, this wall became part of the saloon, and another unnerving discovery was made.
Flickr/Sam Howzit
Skeletal remains and the headstone of a woman named Elvira were found under the plywood floors. Her headstone remains in the bar.
Flickr/Jacinda S.
There are plenty of reasons to visit Captain Tony’s Saloon besides its creepy history. Many famous people have sat at this bar, from Jimmy Buffet to Truman Capote.
Flickr/Jenni Konrad
Ernest Hemingway was a regular back in the 1930s, when this was the home of the original Sloppy Joe’s, that moved around the corner the owner had a dispute with the landlord. This space has also been used as a telegraph station, cigar factory, and several speakeasies.
Flickr/Florida Keys – Public Libraries
Whether you’re hoping to see a ghost or sit where one of your artistic idols once had a drink, check out Captain Tony’s Saloon.
Flickr/Sam Howzit
Want to visit more of Florida’s haunted landmarks? Take our Ultimate Terrifying Florida Road Trip.
Flickr/Ed Schipul
Flickr/Sam Howzit
Flickr/Beachfront Solutions
Flickr/Jacinda S.
Flickr/Jenni Konrad
Flickr/Florida Keys – Public Libraries
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